Dolphin & Whale Biology/Conservation
in Tropical Asia
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General Information about
Hong
Kong
Be ready for some culture shock - often experienced during the long-haul flight to Asia. Compared to Taiwan, Chinese food in Hong Kong is a bit more like Chinese food you may have experienced in Canada. Hong Kong has a great variety of foods from a wide variety of countries.
Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region) is composed of an archipelago of small islands and the New Territories, which is land that is geologically part of mainland China. It is even smaller than Taiwan as it is pretty much just a very large city with respect to land area. The climate is more or less similar to that experienced in Taiwan but with less extreme conditions and fewer typhoons. Hong Kong is not part of the Pacific's "ring of fire" so earthquakes are almost non-existent.
Hong Kong is one of the wealthiest economies in the region. It is highly developed and it is little different from other large cities around the world with modern high tech. amenities, familiar fast food restaurants, convenience stores and brand name stores with which North Americans are familiar. It is a shoppers' paradise and electronics are often much cheaper than in Canada (and no sales taxes either!). Most people in Hong Kong are able to speak some English (especially the younger generation and the people in the service sector but don't be too surprised if you hear a slight British accent - after all, Hong Kong was British ruled until it was handed back to P.R. China in July 1997). People are in general quite friendly, very hospitable and helpful to foreigners.