Hong Kong, described as a 'barren rock' over 150 years ago, has become a world-class financial, trading and business centre and, indeed, a great world city.

Hong Kong has no natural resources, except one of the finest deep-water ports in the world. A hardworking, adaptable and well-educated workforce of about 3.56 million, coupled with entrepreneurial flair, is the bedrock of Hong Kong's productivity and creativity.

Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997, after a century and a half of British administration. Under Hong Kong's constitutional document, the Basic Law, the existing economic, legal and social systems will be maintained for 50 years. The SAR enjoys a high degree of autonomy except in defense and foreign affairs.

Situated at the southeastern tip of China, Hong Kong is ideally positioned at the centre of rapidly developing East Asia. With a total area of 1 104 square kilometers, it covers Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula just opposite, and the New Territories — the more rural section of Hong Kong, which also includes 262 outlying islands.

Hong Kong's population was about 6.88 million in mid-2004. The population density was 6 380 people per square kilometer. Hong Kong had a large foreign population of about 524 200. The top three nationalities came from About Hong Kong the Philippines (129 760), Indonesia (105 710) and the USA (29 900).