Editing Geography of Hong Kong

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use Hong Kong English|date=December 2018}}

[[File:Map of Hong Kong 18 Districts en.svg|thumb|400px|Districts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: 1. [[Islands District|Islands]]; 2. [[Kwai Tsing District|Kwai Tsing]]; 3. [[North District, Hong Kong|North]]; 4. [[Sai Kung District|Sai Kung]]; 5. [[Sha Tin District|Sha Tin]]; 6. [[Tai Po District|Tai Po]]; 7. [[Tsuen Wan District|Tsuen Wan]]; 8. [[Tuen Mun District|Tuen Mun]]; 9. [[Yuen Long District|Yuen Long]]; 10. [[Kowloon City District|Kowloon City]]; 11. [[Kwun Tong District|Kwun Tong]]; 12. [[Sham Shui Po District|Sham Shui Po]]; 13. [[Wong Tai Sin District|Wong Tai Sin]]; 14. [[Yau Tsim Mong District|Yau Tsim Mong]]; 15. [[Central and Western District|Central & Western]]; 16. [[Eastern District, Hong Kong|Eastern]]; 17. [[Southern District, Hong Kong|Southern]]; 18. [[Wan Chai District|Wan Chai]]]]

The '''Hong Kong Special Administrative Region''' ('''HKSAR'''), can be divided into three geographical regions: [[Hong Kong Island]], [[Kowloon]] (comprising the [[Kowloon Peninsula]] and [[New Kowloon]]), and the [[New Territories]] (including the [[Outlying Islands, Hong Kong|Outlying Islands]]). [[Hong Kong]] is a coastal city, bordering [[Guangdong|Guangdong Province]] through the city of [[Shenzhen]] to the north and the [[South China Sea]] to the east, south, and west. Hong Kong and its 260 nearby islands and peninsulas are located at the mouth of the [[Pearl River Delta]]. The area of Hong Kong is distinct from [[mainland China]], but is considered a part of "[[Greater China]]".

Hong Kong has a total area of {{Convert|1108|km2||abbr=on}}, of which 3.16% is water. 260 islands are dispersed around Hong Kong, the largest of which by area is [[Lantau Island]], located southwest of the main peninsula. Lantau Island and the majority of the remaining islands are parts of the [[New Territories]], an area that also encompasses the hilly terrain north of [[Kowloon]]. [[Hong Kong Island]] is separated from Kowloon by [[Victoria Harbour]], a natural harbour. The [[Kowloon Peninsula]] to the south of [[Boundary Street]], and [[New Kowloon]] and the [[New Territories]] to the north of [[Boundary Street]] were added to [[British Hong Kong]] in 1860 and 1898, respectively.

Further from Victoria Harbour and the coast, the landscape of Hong Kong is fairly hilly to mountainous with steep slopes. The highest point in the territory is [[Tai Mo Shan]], at a height of 958 metres in the New Territories.<ref name="CIA">[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/hong-kong/ "Hong Kong"] . ''The World Factbook''. CIA. Retrieved 18 September 2009.</ref> Lowlands exist in the northwestern part of the New Territories. Portions of land on Hong Kong Island and the New Territories are reserved as country parks and nature reserves.

With the [[list of countries and dependencies by population density|fourth-highest population density in the world]] at 6,300 people per square kilometre, Hong Kong is known for its shortage of residential space. Hong Kong has undergone several land reclamation projects to provide more space for residential and economic purposes, increasing its land area. This has caused the distance between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon to decrease. [[Hong Kong International Airport]] is the sole public airport in the territory, and is mostly located on reclaimed land on the island of [[Chek Lap Kok]].

Politically, Hong Kong is divided into 18 [[districts of Hong Kong|districts]], each having a district council. Nevertheless, most public services operate across the territory, and travel between the districts is not restricted. [[Sha Tin]] is the most populous district as of 2019.

The name "[[Hong Kong]]", literally meaning "fragrant harbour", is derived from the area around present-day [[Aberdeen, Hong Kong|Aberdeen]] on Hong Kong Island, where fragrant wood products and incense were once traded.<ref>[http://ec.hku.hk/visithk/Volumes/Vol_1/VHK_Vol-1_6.pdf Visit Hong Kong: Volume 1, Spring, 2004 (p.14)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207083030/http://ec.hku.hk/visithk/Volumes/Vol_1/VHK_Vol-1_6.pdf|date=7 December 2006}}, University of Hong Kong English Centre.</ref> The narrow body of water separating Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula, [[Victoria Harbour]], is one of the deepest natural maritime [[port]]s in the world.

Hong Kong is {{convert|60|km|abbr=on}} east of [[Macau]], on the opposite side of the [[Pearl River]] estuary. Hong Kong and Macau are connected through the [[Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge]].

{{TOC limit|2}}

==Climate==
{{Main|Climate of Hong Kong}}
Hong Kong's climate is [[subtropical]] and [[monsoon|monsoonal]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: Cwa), with cool dry winters and hot and wet summers. As of 2006, its annual average rainfall is {{convert|2214|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}, though about 80% of the rain falls between May and September. It is occasionally affected by [[tropical cyclone]]s between May and November, most often from July to September. The mean temperature of Hong Kong ranges from {{convert|17|°C|°F|1}} in January and February to {{convert|29|°C|°F|1}} in July and August.<ref>Hong Kong Survey & Mapping Office, Lands Department. ''Hong Kong Guide 2007'' [map]. Notes on Hong Kong, p. 411. {{ISBN|962-567-174-9}}.</ref>

January and February are cloudier, with occasional [[cold front]]s followed by dry northerly winds. It is not uncommon for temperatures to drop below {{convert|10|°C|°F}} in urban areas. Sub-zero temperatures and [[frost]] occur at times on high ground and in the New Territories. March and April can be pleasant although there are occasional spells of high humidity. [[Fog]] and [[drizzle]] are common on high ground which is exposed to the southeast. May to August are hot and humid with occasional [[Shower (precipitation)|showers]] and [[thunderstorm]]s. Afternoon temperatures often exceed {{convert|31|°C|°F|1}} whereas at night, temperatures generally remain around {{convert|26|°C|°F|1}} with high humidity. In November and December there are pleasant breezes, plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures.<ref>[http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/climahk.htm Climate of Hong Kong] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017165138/http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/climahk.htm |date=17 October 2016 }} Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved on 1 September 2007.</ref>

==Geographical information==
===Location===
[[File:Hong Kong anotated zh.gif|thumb|Satellite Image of Hong Kong]]
[[File:Hong Kong Location.png|thumb|Location of Hong Kong with respect to the [[Pearl River Delta]]]]
[[File:Pearl River Delta Area.png|thumb|right|Map showing Hong Kong and surrounding cities]]
[[File:Hk-map.png|right|thumb|Hong Kong borders the city of [[Shenzhen]] in [[Guangdong]] Province (1954)]]
[[File:Txu-oclc-6654394-nf-50-7th-ed.jpg|thumb|Map including Hong Kong and surrounding region from the [[International Map of the World]] (1955)]]
[[File:Operational Navigation Chart J-11, 12th edition.jpg|thumb|Map including Hong Kong and surrounding region ([[Defense Mapping Agency|DMA]], 1984)]]
[[File:HongKong2021OSM.png|thumb|Enlargeable, detailed map of the Hong Kong SAR]]
Hong Kong is on China's southern coast, {{convert|60|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of [[Macau]], on the east side of the mouth of the Pearl River estuary. It is surrounded by the [[South China Sea]] on all sides except the north, which neighbours the Guangdong city of [[Shenzhen]] along the [[Sham Chun River]]. The territory's {{convert|2755|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} area consists of Hong Kong Island, the [[Kowloon Peninsula]], the [[New Territories]], Lantau Island, and over 200 other islands. Of the total area, {{convert|1073|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} is land and {{convert|35|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} is water.<ref name="cia">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hk.html |title=Hong Kong |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |work=[[The World Factbook]] |accessdate=2 October 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20091002113041/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hk.html |archive-date=2 October 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The territory's highest point is [[Tai Mo Shan]], {{convert|957|m|ft|abbr=off}} above sea level.<ref>{{harvnb|Owen|Shaw|2007|p=13}}.</ref> Urban development is concentrated on the Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong Island, and in [[New towns of Hong Kong|new towns]] throughout the New Territories.<ref>{{harvnb|Population By-Census|2016|pp=34–35}}.</ref> Much of this is built on [[Land reclamation in Hong Kong|reclaimed land]], due to the lack of developable flat land; {{convert|70|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} (six per cent of the total land or about 25 per cent of developed space in the territory) is reclaimed from the sea.<ref name="reclamation">{{harvnb|Land Policy Report|2017|p=1}}.</ref>

Undeveloped terrain is hilly to mountainous, with very little flat land, and consists mostly of grassland, woodland, shrubland, or farmland.<ref>{{harvnb|Owen|Shaw|2007|p=2}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|"Land Utilization in Hong Kong 2017", Planning Department}}.</ref> About 40 per cent of the remaining land area is [[Conservation in Hong Kong|country parks]] and nature reserves.<ref>{{harvnb|Morton|Harper|1995|p=9}}.</ref> The territory has a diverse ecosystem; over 3,000 species of [[vascular plant]]s occur in the region (300 of which are native to Hong Kong), and thousands of insect, avian, and marine species.<ref>{{harvnb|Hu|2003}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/conservation/naturalenvplantsanimals.htm |title=The Natural Environment, Plants & Animals in Hong Kong |publisher=Government of Hong Kong |accessdate=15 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115215525/https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/conservation/naturalenvplantsanimals.htm |archive-date=15 November 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

===Land boundaries===
''Total:'' {{Convert|30|km||abbr=on}}<br />''Border city:'' [[Shenzhen]] [[Special Economic Zone]], [[Guangdong]] Province
<br /><small>''Figures published by the United States Central Intelligence Agency''<ref name="CIA" /></small>

===Coastline===
''Total:'' {{Convert|733|km||abbr=on}}<br />'''Maritime claims:'''
<br />''Territorial sea:'' {{Convert|3|nmi||abbr=}}<br /><small>''Figures published by the United States Central Intelligence Agency''<ref name="CIA" /></small>

===Islands===
{{Main|List of islands and peninsulas of Hong Kong}}
[[Hong Kong]] has [[Islands of Hong Kong|263 islands]] over {{Convert|500|m2||abbr=on}},<ref name="mapping">{{Citation
 | author=Lands Department
 | title=Hong Kong Geographic Data
 | date=February 2011
 | access-date=29 April 2011
 | url=http://www.landsd.gov.hk/mapping/en/publications/hk_geographic_data_sheet.pdf
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305072223/http://www.landsd.gov.hk/mapping/en/publications/hk_geographic_data_sheet.pdf
 | archive-date=5 March 2012
 | url-status=live
 }}</ref> including [[Hong Kong Island]], [[Lantau Island]], [[Cheung Chau]], [[Lamma Island]], [[Peng Chau]] and [[Tsing Yi|Tsing Yi Island]].

===Terrain===
Hong Kong's terrain is hilly and mountainous with steep slopes. There are lowlands in the northern part of Hong Kong. A significant amount of land in Hong Kong, especially on the Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon peninsula, is [[Land reclamation in Hong Kong|reclaimed]].

===Extreme points===
The lowest elevation in Hong Kong is in the South China Sea (0&nbsp;m){{dubious|date=January 2023|The lowest point}} while the highest elevation is at [[Tai Mo Shan]] ({{Convert|957|m||0|abbr=on}}) in Tsuen Wan, the [[New Territories]].

====Land====
*''Northernmost'': [[Sham Chun River]] {{Coord|22|33|44|N|114|9|41|E|}}
*''Easternmost'': [[Ping Chau]] (''aka''. Tung Ping Chau) {{Coord|22|32|26|N|114|26|30|E|}}
*''Southernmost'': [[Tau Lo Chau]] {{Coord|22|9|14|N|113|55|21|E|}}
*''Westernmost'': [[Peaked Hill (Hong Kong)|Peaked Hill]] {{Coord|22|13|1|N|113|50|7|E|}}

===Principal peaks of Hong Kong===
{{Main|List of mountains, peaks and hills in Hong Kong}}

# [[Tai Mo Shan]] – {{Convert|957|m||0|abbr=on}}, [[Tsuen Wan]]
# [[Lantau Peak]] (Fung Wong Shan) – {{Convert|934|m||0|abbr=on}} on [[Lantau Island]]
# [[Sunset Peak, Hong Kong|Sunset Peak]] (Tai Tung Shan) – {{Convert|869|m||0|abbr=on}}, on [[Lantau Island]]
# [[Sze Fong Shan]] – {{Convert|785|m||0|abbr=on}}
# [[Lin Fa Shan]] – {{Convert|766|m||0|abbr=on}}, on [[Lantau Island]]
# [[Nei Lak Shan]] – {{Convert|751|m||0|abbr=on}}, on [[Lantau Island]]
# [[Yi Tung Shan]] – {{Convert|747|m||0|abbr=on}}, on [[Lantau Island]]
# [[Ma On Shan (peak)|Ma On Shan]] – {{Convert|702|m||0|abbr=on}}
# [[The Hunch Backs]] (Ngau Ngak Shan) – {{Convert|674|m||0|abbr=on}}
# [[Grassy Hill]] – {{Convert|647|m||0|abbr=on}}
# [[Wong Leng]] – {{Convert|639|m||0|abbr=on}}
# [[Buffalo Hill (Hong Kong)|Buffalo Hill]] – {{Convert|606|m||0|abbr=on}}
# [[West Buffalo Hill]] – {{Convert|604|m||0|abbr=on}}
# [[Kowloon Peak]] (Fei Ngo Shan) – {{Convert|602|m||0|abbr=on}}
# [[Shun Yeung Fung]] – {{Convert|591|m||0|abbr=on}}
# [[Tiu Shau Ngam]] – {{Convert|588|m||0|abbr=on}}
# [[Kai Kung Leng]] – {{Convert|585|m||0|abbr=on}}
# [[Castle Peak, Hong Kong|Castle Peak]] – {{Convert|583|m||0|abbr=on}}
# [[Lin Fa Shan, Tsuen Wan]] – {{Convert|578|m||0|abbr=on}}
# [[Tate's Cairn]] (Tai Lo Shan) – {{Convert|577|m||0|abbr=on}}

[[Victoria Peak]], the highest point on [[Hong Kong Island]], at {{Convert|552|m||0|abbr=on}} is the 24th highest peak in Hong Kong.

===Natural resources===
The natural resources of Hong Kong can be divided into three main categories:

*Metalliferous minerals and non-metalliferous industrial minerals in the onshore area;
*Quarried rock and building stone;
*Offshore sand deposits.

Despite its small size, Hong Kong has a relatively large number of mineral occurrences. Some mineral deposits [[Mining in Hong Kong|have been exploited commercially]]. Metalliferous mineral occurrences are grouped into four broad categories: [[tin]]-[[tungsten]]-[[molybdenum]] mineralisation, [[copper]]-[[lead]]-[[zinc]] mineralisation, [[iron]] mineralisation and placer deposits of [[tin]] and [[gold]]. [[Mesozoic]] igneous activity is largely responsible for this diversity of mineral deposits and the mineral concentrations have been variably enhanced by hydrothermal activity associated with faulting. Concentrations of non-metalliferous minerals that have been commercially exploited include [[kaolin clay]], [[feldspar]], [[quartz]], [[beryl]] and [[graphite]].<ref name="rypjxf">{{Cite book|author1=R.J. Sewell |author2=S.D.G. Campbell |author3=C.J.N. Fletcher |author4=K.W. Lai |author5=P.A. Kirk |title=The Pre-Quaternary Geology of Hong Kong|year=2000|publisher=Government of Hong Kong SAR|isbn=962-02-0299-6}}</ref>

For many years, [[granite]] and [[volcanic rocks]] have been quarried locally for road base metal, [[riprap]], armour stone and asphalt, although the main purpose now is for concrete [[Construction aggregate|aggregates]]. At present, there are three quarries operating in Hong Kong. These are principally in granite and are located at [[Lam Tei]], [[Shek O]] and [[Anderson Road, Hong Kong|Anderson Road]]. All the quarries are in the process of rehabilitation and have a life expectancy of between two and eight years.<ref name = "rypjxf"/>

Offshore sand bodies have been dredged for aggregate sand and reclamation fill in Hong Kong as the rate of urban development has increased.<ref>{{Cite book|author=J.A. Fyfe, R.Shaw, S.D.G. Campbell, K.W. Lai & P.A. Kirk|title=The Quaternary Geology of Hong Kong|year=2000|publisher=Government of Hong Kong SAR|isbn=962-02-0298-8}}</ref>

Additional natural resources include forest and wildlife.

===Land use===
''Arable land:'' 2.95%
<br />''Permanent crops:'' 0.95%
<br />''Other:'' 96.10% (2012 est.)
<br /><small>''Figures published by the United States Central Intelligence Agency''<ref name="CIA" /></small>
Big 22

===Natural hazards===
[[Tropical cyclone]]s are frequent in Hong Kong during the summer months between June and August. Landslides are common after [[rainstorm]]s.

==Environmental issues==

*[[Air pollution in Hong Kong|Air]] and [[water pollution]] from rapid urbanisation
*Extinction of natural species
*Introduction of [[exotic species]]

{{See also|Environment of Hong Kong}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Hong Kong|Geography}}
* [[Conservation in Hong Kong]]
* [[Beaches of Hong Kong]]
* [[List of rivers and nullahs in Hong Kong]]
* [[List of bays in Hong Kong]]
* [[List of places in Hong Kong]]
* [[Sandbars in Hong Kong]]
* [[Geology of Hong Kong]]
* [[Origins of names of cities and towns in Hong Kong]]
* [[Geography of China]]
* [[Geography of Macau]]
* [[Pratas Island]], Taiwan (ROC), located in the Hong Kong FIR

==References==
{{Reflist}}

* {{cite web |title=Land Utilization in Hong Kong 2017 |url=http://www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/info_serv/statistic/landu.html |publisher=[[Town Planning Board|Planning Department]] |accessdate=1 September 2018 |ref={{sfnref|"Land Utilization in Hong Kong 2017", Planning Department}} |archive-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019212830/http://www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/info_serv/statistic/landu.html |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |last=Hu |first=Qi-ming |date=2003 |title=Rare and Precious Plants of Hong Kong |publisher=[[Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department]] |url=http://www.herbarium.gov.hk/PublicationsPreface.aspx?BookNameId=1&SectionId=1&ContentId=1 |chapter-url=http://www.herbarium.gov.hk/PublicationsPreface.aspx?BookNameId=1&SectionId=2&ContentId=2 |chapter=Preface |isbn=978-988-201-616-3 |oclc=491712858}}
* {{cite report |title=Main Results |work=2016 Population By-Census |publisher=[[Census and Statistics Department (Hong Kong)|Census and Statistics Department]] |date=2016 |url=https://www.bycensus2016.gov.hk/data/16bc-main-results.pdf |ref={{harvid|Population By-Census|2016}}}}
* {{cite book |last1=Morton |first1=Brian |last2=Harper |first2=Elizabeth |title=An Introduction to the Cape d'Aguilar Marine Reserve, Hong Kong |publisher=[[Hong Kong University Press]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LNCYHVVcM8IC |isbn=978-962-209-388-1 |year=1995}}
* {{cite book |last1=Owen |first1=Bernie |last2=Shaw |first2=Raynor |date=2007 |title=Hong Kong Landscapes: Shaping the Barren Rock |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4sO5vlJ7ETcC |publisher=[[Hong Kong University Press]] |isbn=978-962-209-847-3 }}
* {{cite report |author=Task Force on Land Policy |title=Reclamation Outside Victoria Harbour |publisher=[[Development Bureau]] |date=2017 |url=https://www.devb.gov.hk/filemanager/en/content_1054/Paper_07_2017.pdf |ref={{harvid|Land Policy Report|2017}}}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161017165138/http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/climahk.htm Climate of Hong Kong]
* [http://www.info.gov.hk/landsd/index.htm The Lands Department of the Government of Hong Kong]
* [http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/FileManager/EN/Common/hkinf.pdf "Hong Kong in Figures 2006 Edition"],
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100117065224/http://tourism.activity.hk/index.php/interactive-map-of-hong-kong "Hong Kong Map"]
*Census and Statistics Department, HKSAR. February 2006.

{{Hong Kong topics |autocollapse}}
{{Geography of Asia}}
{{Asia topic|Climate of}}

{{Coord|22|15|N|114|10|E|source:frwiki|display=title}}

[[Category:Geography of Hong Kong| ]]
[[Category:Geography of South China|Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Geography of China|.Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Geography of East Asia|+Hong Kong]]