Geography of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is located on the southern coast of China. Its territories can be divided into Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories, as well as 263 outlying islands. Geographically, the Outlying Islands, including Lantau Island, are sometimes regarded as a separate geographical region. Much of Hong Kong is mountainous, with limited natural lowlands confined mainly to coastal plains and reclaimed land. Victoria Harbour, the deep natural harbour separating Hong Kong Island from Kowloon Peninsula, has been central to the territory's development as an international port and trading centre.

Since the 1960s, extensive land reclamation, high-rise construction, and the development of new towns have accommodated rapid urban growth while preserving large areas of countryside as country parks. Today, more than seven million people live within just over 1,100 km² of land, making Hong Kong one of the world's most densely populated territories.

Physical geography Hong Kong borders Guangdong Province to the north, lies west of the Pearl River estuary and Macau, and faces the South China Sea to the south. The territory extends between approximately 22°08′ and 22°35′ north latitude and 113°49′ and 114°31′ east longitude. Hong Kong observes Hong Kong Time (UTC+8), eight hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. To the north, Hong Kong is separated from Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, by the Shenzhen River and Sha Tau Kok River, while its southern waters adjoin the Wanshan Archipelago of Zhuhai. As of October 2025, Hong Kong has a land area of 1,114.57 km² and a total area, including inland and territorial waters, of 2,754.97 km². Of the land area, approximately 78.42 km² has been created through land reclamation.

Geology

Climate Hong Kong's climate is subtropical and monsoonal (Köppen: Cwa), with cool dry winters and hot and wet summers. As of 2006, its annual average rainfall is , though about 80% of the rain falls between May and September. It is occasionally affected by tropical cyclones between May and November, most often from July to September. The mean temperature of Hong Kong ranges from in January and February to in July and August.Hong Kong Survey & Mapping Office, Lands Department. Hong Kong Guide 2007 [map]. Notes on Hong Kong, p. 411. .

January and February are cloudier, with occasional cold fronts followed by dry northerly winds. It is not uncommon for temperatures to drop below 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 showers and thunderstorms. Afternoon temperatures often exceed whereas at night, temperatures generally remain around with high humidity. In November and December there are pleasant breezes, plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures.Climate of Hong Kong Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved on 1 September 2007.

Administrative geography

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), can be divided into three geographical regions: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon (including the New Kowloon), and the New Territories (including the Outlying Islands). The present-day boundaries were defined by the Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Boundary of Administration between Hong Kong and Guangdong (粵港邊界管理範圍線諒解備忘錄), signed by the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments on 19 June 1997, and promulgated by State Council Order No. 221.

In 1982, the government introduced the District Administration Scheme, dividing Hong Kong into 18 districts to facilitate the coordination and management of public services and facilities at the local level, while encouraging public participation in district affairs. This system remains in use today, and the boundaries of the 18 districts have remained largely unchanged. The districts are currently grouped as follows:

Urban areas New Territories Hong Kong Island West Kowloon East Kowloon New Territories East New Territories West Central and Western District Eastern District Southern District Wan Chai District Kowloon City District Sham Shui Po District Yau Tsim Mong District Wong Tai Sin District Kwun Tong District North District Sai Kung District Sha Tin District Tai Po District Islands District Kwai Tsing District Tsuen Wan District Tuen Mun District Yuen Long District

Geographical information Location

Hong Kong is on China's southern coast, 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 area consists of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, Lantau Island, and over 200 other islands. Of the total area, is land and is water. The territory's highest point is Tai Mo Shan, above sea level.. Urban development is concentrated on the Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong Island, and in new towns throughout the New Territories.. Much of this is built on reclaimed land, due to the lack of developable flat land; (six per cent of the total land or about 25 per cent of developed space in the territory) is reclaimed from the sea..

Undeveloped terrain is hilly to mountainous, with very little flat land, and consists mostly of grassland, woodland, shrubland, or farmland... About 40 per cent of the remaining land area is country parks and nature reserves.. The territory has a diverse ecosystem; over 3,000 species of vascular plants occur in the region (300 of which are native to Hong Kong), and thousands of insect, avian, and marine species..

Land boundaries Total: Border city: Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, Guangdong Province Figures published by the United States Central Intelligence Agency"Hong Kong" . The World Factbook. CIA. Retrieved 18 September 2009.

Coastline Total: Maritime claims: Territorial sea: Figures published by the United States Central Intelligence Agency

Islands

Hong Kong has 263 islands over , including Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, Cheung Chau, Lamma Island, Peng Chau and 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 reclaimed.

Extreme points The lowest elevation in Hong Kong is in the South China Sea (0 m) while the highest elevation is at Tai Mo Shan () in Tsuen Wan, the New Territories.

Land Northernmost: Sham Chun River Easternmost: Ping Chau (aka. Tung Ping Chau) Southernmost: Tau Lo Chau Westernmost: Peaked Hill

Principal peaks of Hong Kong

Tai Mo Shan – , Tsuen Wan Lantau Peak (Fung Wong Shan) – on Lantau Island Sunset Peak (Tai Tung Shan) – , on Lantau Island Sze Fong Shan – Lin Fa Shan – , on Lantau Island Nei Lak Shan – , on Lantau Island Yi Tung Shan – , on Lantau Island Ma On Shan – The Hunch Backs (Ngau Ngak Shan) – Grassy Hill – Wong Leng – Buffalo Hill – West Buffalo Hill – Kowloon Peak (Fei Ngo Shan) – Shun Yeung Fung – Tiu Shau Ngam – Kai Kung Leng – Castle Peak – Lin Fa Shan, Tsuen Wan – Tate's Cairn (Tai Lo Shan) –

Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island, at 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 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.

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 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. All the quarries are in the process of rehabilitation and have a life expectancy of between two and eight years.

Offshore sand bodies have been dredged for aggregate sand and reclamation fill in Hong Kong as the rate of urban development has increased.

Additional natural resources include forest and wildlife.

Land use Arable land: 2.95% Permanent crops: 0.95% Other: 96.10% (2012 est.) Figures published by the United States Central Intelligence Agency Big 22

Natural hazards Tropical cyclones are frequent in Hong Kong during the summer months between July and September. Landslides are common after rainstorms.

Environmental issues

Air and water pollution from rapid urbanisation Extinction of natural species Introduction of exotic species

Geography of Hong Kong

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