Geography
There are 234 outlying islands, many of them little more than uninhabited
rocks, which surround Hong Kong. However, Cheung Chau (2.5 sq. km)
has 20,000 residents and is fast developing into a mini Honolulu
despite its lack of motor-powered vehicles.
Lantau, the largest island (142 sq. km) has a population of 30,000
and a 70-km long walking trail. This trail offers some of Hong Kong's
most rugged landscape, crossing over two of the island's highest
summits, winding through forests and offering stunning views of
the sea. It also has a 933m peak standing tall as if inviting visitors
to come over, despite the fact that the land has avoided many development
excesses of other islands. It has become a home to several important
monasteries, including Po Lin Monastery with its enormous bronze
Buddha. The new airport development has made it possible for Lantau
to be connected by bridge to the mainland. The other islands of
Hong Kong are also worth visiting. These islands include Lamma,
Peng Chau, Poi Toi and the uninhabited Tung Lung Chau.
Climate
Hong Kong is located just within the tropics and the climate is
monsoonal. Two seasons dominate the year. One consistantly hot,
wet and humid (the Southwest Monsoon, Spring/Summer) and the other
cool and dry ( the Nothern Monsoon, Autumn/Winter). Hong Kong can,
however, experience great variations in the periods between successive
monsoons - and the most dramatic variations occurs during the Typhoon
season.
Generally the dry monsoon season begins in mid to late September
and brings three months of pleasantly warm days and brilliant clear
blue skies. Nights are cool, the humidity low and day-to-day temperature
changes are slight. From December through early January, the weather
normally remains sunny during the day but the nights are considerably
cooler. Hong Kong's rainy season arrives in ernest about the middle
of March. Mid-May to September is high summer in Hong Kong, and
also the unpredictable Typhoon Season.
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