Hong Kong is an independent city-state in East Asia that ultimately falls under China’s rule. Its official name is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. Nevertheless, Hong Kong operates with a high degree of autonomy given its own currency, legal system and parliament. A central location within Hong Kong serves as the city-state’s capital.
The Port of Hong Kong specializes in container shipments while Hong Kong International Airport is among the world’s busiest airports for international cargo.
Hong Kong exported US$516.6 billion worth of products around the globe in 2016. Its highest-value exported products are electronics components, mobile phones, gold, computers and diamonds according to the International Trade Centre. Hong Kong re-exports many items originally imported from mainland China.
Capital Facts for Hong Kong: Quick Reference
Geography
Capital landmarks: Lion’s Pavilion at Victoria Peak, Tian Tan Buddha, Chi Lin Nunnery, Po Lin (Precious Lotus) Monastery, Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck, Peak Tower and Times Square
Famous People
Below, you will find 10 of the most famous people born in Hong Kong:
- Jackie Chan, actor & martial artist (born Apr. 7, 1954)
- Chow Yun-fat (Donald Chow), actor (born May 18, 1955)
- Romola Garai, actress, writer & director (born Aug. 6, 1982)
- Andy Lau, actor, singer & producer (born Sep. 27, 1961)
- Nicholas Tse, actor, singer-songwriter & martial artist (born Aug. 29, 1980)
- William Hung, singer, actor & TV personality (born Jan. 13, 1983)
- Gigi Leung, singer, actress & model (born Mar. 25, 1976)
- Gloria Yip, actress & singer (born Jan. 13, 1973)
- Agnes Chan, singer, TV personality & professor (born Aug. 20, 1955 )
- William So, actor & singer (born Sep. 24, 1967)
Note: Data for our Famous People tab was sourced from Google searches mostly targeting published Wikipedia articles specific to each person’s name.
Population
Demonym for a resident of Hong Kong: Hongkonger
Population: 7,167,403 (Hong Kong)
Density: 16,785 people per square mile (6,481 per square kilometer)
Financial
GDP: US$427.4 billion as of October 2016 (for Hong Kong, per WorldsRichestCountries.com)
GDP per person: $58,095
Note: The above country-level GDP metrics are on a Purchasing Power Parity basis and are in U.S. dollars. Credible city GDP statistics for Hong Kong were unavailable.
Official currency used in Hong Kong: Hong Kong dollar
Research
Research Sources:
Brookings Institution, Global Metro Monitor Report (includes GDP data). Accessed on January 19, 2017
CityMetric, Where are largest cities in the world? 2015 edition. Accessed on January 19, 2017
Demographia, World Urban Area, 12th Annual Edition. Accessed on January 19, 2017
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on August 2, 2017
Mercer, 2016 Worldwide Cost of Living Survey City Rankings, News Release. Accessed on January 19, 2017
Official Government Website, GovHK: Homepage (residents). Accessed on January 19, 2017
The World Factbook, East & Southeast Asia: Hong Kong, Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed on January 19, 2017
Wikimedia Commons, City Flags. Accessed on January 19, 2017
Note: Some city flags were unavailable. If so, attribution belongs to Wikimedia Commons for pertinent country flags.
Wikipedia, Hong Kong. Accessed on January 19, 2017
Hong Kong’s total land area measures 427 square miles (1,106 square kilometers). The city-state’s estimated population was 7.2 million residents as of July 2016.
As China’s special administrative region, Hong Kongers celebrate National Day each October 1 as the anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. Since July 1, 1997 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day is treated as a public holiday each July 1.
Population density is extremely concentrated within the Hong Kong capital city-state given its average 16,800 inhabitants per square mile (6,500 per square kilometer).