Study Abroad in Hong Kong!

Summer 2019

Experience Asia while earning course credit!

Hong Kong is a popular tourist destination in southeastern Asia, with a mixture of Eastern and Western cultural influences. It has four main areas: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories and a group of smaller islands. The words Hong Kong mean “Fragrant Harbor,” so named because of its deep-water harbor, which has contributed to Hong Kong’s success as a center for international trade and finance.

Language

The official languages of Hong Kong include English and the Cantonese dialect of Chinese.

Geography

At a little more than 420 square miles, Hong Kong is about six times the size of Washington, D.C. It lies between mainland China and the South China Sea. It is comprised of more than 200 islands, with terrain that varies from steep mountains to flat lowlands.

People

The population of Hong Kong numbers more than 7 million people, with 95 percent of the population of Chinese descent and a small percentage of Filipino or Indonesian descent.

Religion

Ten percent of the population of Hong Kong is Christian, while the remaining 90 percent practice Buddhism, Taoism or other local religions.

Tian Tan Buddha, as seen from above

Tian Tan Buddha, as seen from the ground

History

After defeating China in the Opium Wars, The United Kingdom was given control over Hong Kong in 1842. Under British control, Hong Kong grew into an important trade, banking and finance center for all of Asia. The Chinese government regained control over Hong Kong in 1997, awarding Hong Kong status as a Special Administrative Region.

Government

The government of Hong Kong is based on English Common Law and is a limited democracy. While the People’s Republic of China maintains control over its foreign and defense policies, Hong Kong is allowed freedom of governance in its financial and social affairs.

Economy

Hong Kong maintains a free market economy and serves as a conduit for many of mainland China’s financial interactions with the rest of the world. Hong Kong has a large service economy specializing in international business, banking, trade and tourism.

Exports

Hong Kong has few natural resources to export. Its main exports are electronic goods, watches and clocks and textiles, such as clothing and footwear.


Source: USA Today