Hong Kong (??; lit. 'Fragrant Harbour') is one of the two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China; the other being Macau. It is situated on China's south coast and; enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea. It is known for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour.

With a land mass of 1;104 km2 (426 sq mi) and a population of seven million people; Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Hong Kong's population is 93.6% ethnic Chinese and 6.4% from other groups. Hong Kong's Han Chinese majority originate mainly from the cities of Guangzhou and Taishan in the neighbouring Guangdong province.

Hong Kong became a colony of the British Empire after the First Opium War (1839-42). Originally confined to Hong Kong Island; the colony's boundaries were extended in stages to the Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 and then the New Territories in 1898. It was occupied by Japan during the Pacific War (1941-45); after which the British resumed control until 1997; when China resumed sovereignty. Pictures From History