| Name : |
Hong Kong |
| Official Name : |
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region |
| Capital : |
|
| Climate : |
Tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall. |
| Race : |
95% Chinese, 5% other. |
| Language : |
90% of Chinese speak Cantonese, English |
| Official Language : |
Cantonese and English |
| Religion : |
90% practice Confucianism, 10% Christian, all major religions are represented. |
| Government : |
Was a British territory until 1997. Since 1997, under Chinese rule, with a chief executive heading the government of Hong Kong. |
| Population (in mil) : |
6.8 |
| Literacy Rate : |
92.2% |
| Visas : |
Visitors must hold a valid passport, endorsed where necessary for Hong Kong. Citizens of some 24 countries, including the USA, Japan, and certain Western European and South American nations are permitted one-month visa-free visits. Three-month visa-free visits are available to another 23 countries as well as all Commonwealth countries. (The British are allowed a 12-month no-visa stay.) |
| Immunisations : |
Vaccination certificates are not required for yellow fever, cholera and typhoid for visitors travelling to Hong Kong. Check with your travel agent well before your departure, however, as requirements can change without notice. |
| Time : |
GMT/UTC plus eight hours |
| Electricity : |
200/220 volts, 50 cycles. |
| Weights & Measures : |
Metric |
| Currency : |
Hong Kong dollar (HK$). |
| Travellers Cheque : |
Most foreign currencies and traveller's cheques are easily changed in Hong Kong, either at banks, hotels or moneychangers |
| Credit Cards : |
Credit cards from major international banks are widely accepted. |
| Tipping : |
When a service charge is not automatic, 10 per cent is acceptable. Small tips for taxi drivers, bellboys and doormen are appreciated. |
| Bargaining : |
|
