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Hong Kong Special Administrative Region COUNTRY DESCRIPTION  Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s
Republic of China (PRC) since July 1, 1997, has a high degree of
autonomy, except in the areas of defense and foreign policy, and
retains its own currency, laws, and border controls. It is composed
of three geographic areas: the New Territories, Kowloon Peninsula,
and Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong SAR is cosmopolitan and highly
developed. Tourist facilities and services are widely available. PEOPLE  Hong
Kong's population has increased steadily over the past decade,
reaching about 6.9 million by 2006. Hong Kong is one of the most
densely populated areas in the world, with an overall density of
some 6,250 people per square kilometer. Cantonese, the official
Chinese language in Hong Kong, is spoken by most of the population.
English, also an official language, is widely understood. It is
spoken by more than one-third of the population. Every major
religion is practiced freely in Hong Kong. All children are required
by law to be in full-time education between the ages of 6 and 15.
Preschool education for most children begins at age 3. Primary
school begins normally at the age of 6 and lasts for 6 years. At
about age 12, children progress to a 3-year course of junior
secondary education. Most stay on for a 2-year senior secondary
course, while others join full-time vocational training. More than
90% of children complete upper secondary education or equivalent
vocational education. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS A passport with a minimum of six months validity remaining and evidence of onward/return transportation by sea/air are required. A visa is not required for tourist visits of up to 90 days by U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens who arrive in Hong Kong with an expired or damaged passport may be refused entry and returned to the United States at their own expense. The U.S. Consulate General cannot provide guarantees on behalf of travelers in such situations, and therefore encourages U.S. citizens to ensure their travel documents are valid and in good condition prior to departure from the U.S. An extension of stay may be granted upon application to the Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department. Visas are required to work or study in Hong Kong. A departure tax and an airport security tax must be paid at the airport, unless these have been included in the traveler’s airfare. Public transportation from Hong Kong's International Airport at Chek Lap Kok to Central Hong Kong (about 25 miles) is readily available, as are taxis. Travelers should exchange sufficient money for transportation at the airport exchange facility located immediately outside the baggage claim area. For the most current information concerning entry and exit requirements, including required documentation, prohibited items etc., travelers can consult the Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong (telephone: (852) 2824-6111, fax: (852) 2877-7711, e-mail: enquiry@immd.gov.hk, Internet home page: http://www.immd.gov.hk ), or the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, 2300 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20008, telephone: (202) 328-2500, Internet home page: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng, or the PRC consulates general in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, or San Francisco. Overseas, inquiries may be made at the nearest PRC embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens should obtain all required visas prior to departing the U.S. Specifically, U.S. citizens wishing to travel to the PRC from Hong Kong require a PRC visa and should apply at the PRC Embassy or consulates in the U.S. Parents whose children hold U.S. passports should be aware that the PRC Visa Office may require original birth certificates or other U.S. documents for these children. Persons applying in Hong Kong for PRC visas for U.S.-born children have been unable to obtain PRC visas without the original U.S. birth certificate. Parents should consider bringing their children’s birth certificates if applying for a PRC visa in Hong Kong. Further information on travel to and around the PRC is available in the China Consular Information Sheet. Hong Kong is a highly developed area, and travelers should generally observe health precautions similar to those that would apply while traveling in the United States. For further health information and recommended vaccinations for travel to Hong Kong, please visit the Center for Disease Control’s web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. Visit the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China web site at http://www.china-embassy.org/eng for the most current visa information. QUICK FACTS Geography Area: 1,104 sq. km.; Hong Kong comprises Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and numerous small islands. Terrain: Hilly to mountainous, with steep slopes and natural harbor. Climate: Tropical monsoon. Cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall. People Population (2006): 6.9 million. Population growth rate (2006): 0.9%. Ethnic groups: Chinese 95%; other 5%. Religions: About 43% participate in some form of religious practice. Christian, about 9.6%. Languages: Cantonese (a dialect of Chinese) and English are official. Education: Literacy--92% (95% male, 88% female). Health (2006): Infant mortality rate--1.8/1,000. Life expectancy--82.6 yrs. (overall); 79.5 yrs. males, 85.6 yrs. females. Work force (2006): 3.6 million. Wholesale, retail, and import/export trades and restaurants and hotels--28.9%; finance, insurance, real estate, and business services--13.3%; manufacturing--4.4%. Government Type: Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, with its own constitution (the Basic Law). Branches: Executive--Administration: Chief Executive selected in March 2007; Executive Council, serving in an advisory role for the Chief Executive. Legislative--Legislative Council elected in September 2004. Judicial--Court of Final Appeal is highest court, other lower courts. Subdivisions: Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories. Suffrage: Permanent residents, at 18 years or over, living in Hong Kong for the past 7 years are eligible to vote. Economy (2006) GDP (2006): $188.8 billion. GDP real growth rate (2006): 6.8%. Per capita GDP (2006): $27,527. Natural resources: Outstanding deepwater harbor. Industry: Types--textiles, clothing, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks. Trade: Exports--$315.5 billion: clothing, electronics, textiles, watches and clocks, office machinery. Imports--$333.3 billion: consumer goods, raw materials and semi-manufactures, capital goods, foodstuffs, fuels. USEFUL LINKS U.S. Government
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