Changes

{{Country

{{Country

|name          =香港 ''Xiānggǎng <br/> Hong Kong''

|name          =Hong Kong<br/>''Xiānggǎng''

|map         =Hong kong pol98.jpg

|map         =Hong kong pol98.jpg

|flag         =674uygjh.png

|flag         =674uygjh.png

}}

}}

'''Hong Kong''' ([[Traditional Chinese]] and [[Simplified Chinese]]: 香港; [[Hanyu Pinyin]]: Xiānggǎng; [[Jyutping]]: Hoeng¹ Gong²) is a [[Special Administrative Region]] of [[China]], situated at the mouth of the [[Pearl River]] in southern China, opposite the former Portuguese possession of [[Macau]]. It consists of Hong Kong, Lamma, Lantau and various smaller islands, and  [[Kowloon]] and the [[New Territories]] on the Chinese mainland. The name Hong Kong means ''fragrant harbour''.   

'''Hong Kong''' is a [[Special Administrative Region]] of [[China]], situated at the mouth of the [[Pearl River]] in southern China, opposite the former Portuguese possession of [[Macau]]. It consists of Hong Kong, Lamma, Lantau and various smaller islands, and  [[Kowloon]] and the [[New Territories]] on the Chinese mainland. The name Hong Kong means ''fragrant harbour''.   

From 1841-1997, it was a British colony and the main trading base for the [[British Empire]] in Asia. Despite being handed back to China in 1997, it has remained autonomy under One country, Two systems and being an SAR status. There is a free press but no democracy and no real elections; all major government decisions are made by the government of China.

From 1841-1997, it was a British colony and the main trading base for the [[British Empire]] in Asia. Despite being handed back to China in 1997, it has remained autonomy under One country, Two systems and being an SAR status. There is a free press but no democracy and no real elections; all major government decisions are made by the government of China.

==People==

==People==

 

Hong Kong's population has increased steadily over the past decade, reaching about 6.92 million in 2007. 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, being 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.  

Hong Kong's population has increased steadily over the past decade, reaching about 6.92 million in 2007. 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, being 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.  

*Population (mid-2007): 6.92 million.

*Population (mid-2007): 6.92 million.