This vibrant, bustling city of seven million people occupies a mere 1,100 square kilometers. But don't let its small size fool you; Hong Kong is a giant on the world stage. The densely populated area is not only a major international center of finance and trade, it is also one of the world's most open and dynamic economies.

Located on the eastern side of the Pearl River Delta on the southeastern coast of China, facing the South China Sea in the south and bordering Guangdong Province in the north, it is the perfect gateway to China.

Occupied by Britain in 1841, the territory remained a British colony until 1997 when it was returned to Chinese sovereignty and became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China.

Hong Kong is guaranteed a high degree of autonomy for the next 50 years following the change of sovereignty, as stipulated in its mini-constitution the Basic Law. Under the one country, two systems policy, it has its own legal system, currency and immigration laws but has no say in foreign and defense affairs.

The official language is Cantonese, which is spoken by most of the population. But English is also widely used . In fact, signs and directions are written in both Chinese and English.

Getting around is a breeze, thanks to the territory's extensive public transport system.

The city's railway network, which practically covers the whole area, carries a large part of the daily passenger load. It is fast, convenient and always on time. If you want to get from one spot to another in a hurry, taking the train is the way to go.

An alternative is the double decker buses. These are numbered according to their respective routes with their destinations prominently displayed on the front of the vehicles.

Another mode of transport which is popular with the public is the mini light buses. Tourists, however, are not advised to take these unless they speak Chinese as directions are given only in the local language.

Hong Kong enjoys a mild climate the whole year round. The weather is cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer and warm and sunny in fall.

As far as religious freedom is concerned, Hong Kong is a paradise; every major religion is practised here.

As for safety, Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world. One can walk the streets alone even late at night without fear of being mugged or robbed. While there there are always exceptions to the rule especially in big cities, attacks on tourists in Hong Kong are isolated cases and very rare.

The Giant Buddha on Lantau Island is one of many sights Hong Kong has to offer the tourist.. Weighing 250 tons and measuring 34 meters high, the bronze statue is the world's tallest sitting Buddha. Other places worth visiting, to name a few, are Ocean Park and the recently opened HK Disneyland.

Hong Kong is one of the great cities of the world. It is also one of the most expensive places on earth in which to live.

But despite the "expensive" tag, hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the territory every year for a bit of shopping. For many, it's the shopping experience of a lifetime. Hong Kong is, after all, a shopper's paradise.