Hong Kong Island (香港島, colloquially the Island side) is the island where the colonial settlement of the Hong Kong territory, Victoria City, was founded. It is the historical, political and economic centre of Hong Kong. Victoria Harbour is the harbour in Hong Kong where the ships used to come in for trade. There are many beautiful sightseeing spots such as 'The Peak' and Ocean Park, and various big shopping malls. The mountain ranges across the island is famous for hiking.

Administration

Districts located on the island:

• Central and Western district
• Eastern district
• Southern District, Hong Kong
• Wan Chai (including Causeway Bay)

Note: Hong Kong Island is not part of the Islands District.

History

Hong Kong Island was first occupied militarily by Captain Charles Elliot, British Royal Navy, on January 20, 1841. It was known as the "barren rock". The Royal Navy landed at Possession Point.

The Treaty of Nanking officially ceded the Island to Great Britain in 1842.

Geography

Hong Kong Island is the second largest island of the territory, the largest being Lantau Island. Its area is 80.4 kmē, including 6.98 kmē of land reclaimed since 1887 and some smaller scale ones since 1851. It makes up approximately 7% of the total territory. It is separated from the mainland (Kowloon Peninsula and New Territories) by the Victoria Harbour.

Demographics

Its population as of 2000 is 1,367,900, which makes up approximately 19% of that of Hong Kong. Its population density is higher than for the whole of Hong Kong, ca. 18,000 per kmē (versus 7,000). Together with Kowloon, it contains 47% of the total population.

Transportation

The Island Line of the MTR metro network runs exclusively on Hong Kong Island, from West to East, along the northern coastline of the island.

Hong Kong Tramways and the Peak Tram run exclusively on Hong Kong Island.

Hong Kong Island is connected to the Kowloon Peninsula on the mainland by 2 vehicle tunnels, 2 MTR rail tunnels and one tunnel with double deck accomodating vehicles and MTR. A fourth rail link is being planned. There is no bridge connection between the island and the mainland. A bridge with four lanes connects Ap Lei Chau (island) and Hong Kong Island. It opened in 1983 with two lanes and was expanded to four in 1997.