Geography of Hong Kong

Hong Kong's climate is subtropical and monsoonal (Köppen: Cwa), with cool dry winters and hot and wet summers. As of 2006, its annual average rainfall is , though about 80% of the rain falls between May and September. It is occasionally affected by tropical cyclones between May and November, most often from July to September. The mean temperature of Hong Kong ranges from in January and February to in July and August. January and February are cloudier, with occasional cold fronts followed by dry northerly winds. It is not uncommon for temperatures to drop below in urban areas. Sub-zero temperatures and frost occur at times on high ground and in the New Territories. March and April can be pleasant although there are occasional spells of high humidity. Fog and drizzle are common on high ground which is exposed to the southeast. May to August are hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms. Afternoon temperatures often exceed whereas at night, temperatures generally remain around with high humidity. In November and December there are pleasant breezes, plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures. ==Geographical information==

Location in Guangdong Province (1954) (1955) , 1984) Hong Kong is on China's southern coast, east of Macau, on the east side of the mouth of the Pearl River estuary. It is surrounded by the South China Sea on all sides except the north, which neighbours the Guangdong city of Shenzhen along the Sham Chun River. The territory's area consists of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, Lantau Island, and over 200 other islands. Of the total area, is land and is water. The territory's highest point is Tai Mo Shan, above sea level. Urban development is concentrated on the Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong Island, and in new towns throughout the New Territories. Much of this is built on reclaimed land, due to the lack of developable flat land; (six per cent of the total land or about 25 per cent of developed space in the territory) is reclaimed from the sea. Undeveloped terrain is hilly to mountainous, with very little flat land, and consists mostly of grassland, woodland, shrubland, or farmland. About 40 per cent of the remaining land area is country parks and nature reserves. The territory has a diverse ecosystem; over 3,000 species of vascular plants occur in the region (300 of which are native to Hong Kong), and thousands of insect, avian, and marine species. Land boundaries Total: Border city: Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, Guangdong Province Figures published by the United States Central Intelligence Agency including Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, Cheung Chau, Lamma Island, Peng Chau and Tsing Yi Island. Terrain Hong Kong's terrain is hilly and mountainous with steep slopes. There are lowlands in the northern part of Hong Kong. A significant amount of land in Hong Kong, especially on the Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon peninsula, is reclaimed. Extreme points The lowest elevation in Hong Kong is in the South China Sea (0 m) while the highest elevation is at Tai Mo Shan () in Tsuen Wan, the New Territories. Land • Northernmost: Sham Chun River • Easternmost: Ping Chau (aka. Tung Ping Chau) • Southernmost: Tau Lo Chau • Westernmost: Peaked Hill Principal peaks of Hong Kong • Tai Mo Shan – , Tsuen Wan • Lantau Peak (Fung Wong Shan) – on Lantau Island • Sunset Peak (Tai Tung Shan) – , on Lantau Island • Sze Fong Shan – • Lin Fa Shan – , on Lantau Island • Nei Lak Shan – , on Lantau Island • Yi Tung Shan – , on Lantau Island • Ma On Shan – • The Hunch Backs (Ngau Ngak Shan) – • Grassy Hill – • Wong Leng – • Buffalo Hill – • West Buffalo Hill – • Kowloon Peak (Fei Ngo Shan) – • Shun Yeung Fung – • Tiu Shau Ngam – • Kai Kung Leng – • Castle Peak – • Lin Fa Shan, Tsuen Wan – • Tate's Cairn (Tai Lo Shan) – Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island, at is the 24th highest peak in Hong Kong. Natural resources The natural resources of Hong Kong can be divided into three main categories: • Metalliferous minerals and non-metalliferous industrial minerals in the onshore area; • Quarried rock and building stone; • Offshore sand deposits. Despite its small size, Hong Kong has a relatively large number of mineral occurrences. Some mineral deposits have been exploited commercially. Metalliferous mineral occurrences are grouped into four broad categories: tin-tungsten-molybdenum mineralisation, copper-lead-zinc mineralisation, iron mineralisation and placer deposits of tin and gold. Mesozoic igneous activity is largely responsible for this diversity of mineral deposits and the mineral concentrations have been variably enhanced by hydrothermal activity associated with faulting. Concentrations of non-metalliferous minerals that have been commercially exploited include kaolin clay, feldspar, quartz, beryl and graphite. For many years, granite and volcanic rocks have been quarried locally for road base metal, riprap, armour stone and asphalt, although the main purpose now is for concrete aggregates. At present, there are three quarries operating in Hong Kong. These are principally in granite and are located at Lam Tei, Shek O and Anderson Road. All the quarries are in the process of rehabilitation and have a life expectancy of between two and eight years. Additional natural resources include forest and wildlife. Land use Arable land: 2.95% Permanent crops: 0.95% Other: 96.10% (2012 est.) Figures published by the United States Central Intelligence Agency Landslides are common after rainstorms. ==Environmental issues==

• Air and water pollution from rapid urbanisation • Extinction of natural species • Introduction of exotic species ==See also==