Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong Island

香港島
Dusk view of Hong Kong Island as viewed from North Point, August 2011
Location (in green) within Hong Kong
Geography
Coordinates	22°15′52″N 114°11′14″E / 22.26444°N 114.18722°E / 22.26444; 114.18722
Area	78.59 km2 (30.34 sq mi)
Highest elevation	552 m (1811 ft)
Highest point	Victoria Peak
Demographics
Population	1,270,876 (2011)
Pop. density	16,390/km2 (42450/sq mi)
Ethnic groups	85.1% Chinese 5.6% Filipino 2.5% Indonesian 2.5% White [citation needed]

Hong Kong Island (Chinese: 香港島; Jyutping: Hoeng1 gong2 dou2; Cantonese Yale: Hēunggóng dóu) is an island in the southern part of Hong Kong. The island, known originally and on road signs simply as "Hong Kong", had a population of 1,289,500 and a population density of 16,390 per square kilometre (42,400/sq mi),^[1] as of 2008^[update]. The island had a population of about 3,000 inhabitants scattered in a dozen fishing villages when it was occupied by the United Kingdom in the First Opium War (1839–1842). In 1842, the island was formally ceded in perpetuity to the UK under the Treaty of Nanking and the City of Victoria was then established on the island by the British Force in honour of Queen Victoria. The Central area on the island is the historical, political and economic centre of Hong Kong. The northern coast of the island forms the southern shore of the Victoria Harbour, which is largely responsible for the development of Hong Kong due to its deep waters favoured by large trade ships.

The island is home to many famous sights, such as "The Peak", Ocean Park, many historical sites and various large shopping centres. The mountain ranges across the island are also famous for hiking. The northern part of Hong Kong Island, together with Kowloon and Tsuen Wan New Town, forms the core urban area of Hong Kong. Their combined area is approximately 88.3 square kilometres (34.1 square miles) and their combined population (that of the northern part of the island and of Kowloon) is approximately 3,156,500, reflecting a population density of 35,700/km² (91,500/sq. mi.).

The island is often referred to locally as "Hong Kong side" or "Island side". The suffix "-side" applied to other locations (e.g. China-side and Kowloon Walled City-side), the sole remnant of which is "Kowloon side" when indicating the two sides of the harbour.^[2]