Islands District
Encyclopedia
The Islands District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong
. It is part of the New Territories
. It had a population of 137,122 in 2009.
Hong Kong
consists of a peninsula
and 236 island
s. The Islands District consists of some twenty large and small islands which lie to the south and southwest of Hong Kong.
With an area that is 16% of Hong Kong and a population that is 2% of Hong Kong, the Islands District is the largest in terms of area and also the least populated. It is therefore the district with by far the lowest population density
of 783 per km². The outlying islands are notable for a more relaxed way of life than that of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula
. The district has the third youngest residents.
Many islands of Hong Kong are actually not part of the district. Most notably, Hong Kong Island
contains four districts itself. The term Outlying Islands
tends to refer to the islands of the Islands District. The northeast point of Lantau and Ma Wan
traditionally belong to Tsuen Wan District
owing to their administration and transportation dependence of Tsuen Wan
. Tsing Yi Island once was administrated by Tsuen Wan District and now by Kwai Tsing District
. Whilst the Sai Kung Islands are part of the Sai Kung District
, and the Tolo Channel Islands part of Tai Po District
.
Tung Chung
new town on the North Lantau near Hong Kong International Airport
, Chek Lap Kok
is a new generation of new town. Discovery Bay
is a large private housing estate on East Lantau.
Collectively, Mui Wo
and Tai O
on Lantau, Cheung Chau
, Lamma Island
and Peng Chau
are more populated than the rest of the area of the district.
Districts of Hong Kong
The Districts of Hong Kong are the 18 political areas by which Hong Kong is geographically divided. Each district has a district council, which was formerly known as a district board. The districts were established in the early 1980s, when Hong Kong was under British rule...
. It is part of the New Territories
New Territories
New Territories is one of the three main regions of Hong Kong, alongside Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. It makes up 86.2% of Hong Kong's territory. Historically, it is the region described in The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory...
. It had a population of 137,122 in 2009.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
consists of a peninsula
Peninsula
A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands"....
and 236 island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
s. The Islands District consists of some twenty large and small islands which lie to the south and southwest of Hong Kong.
With an area that is 16% of Hong Kong and a population that is 2% of Hong Kong, the Islands District is the largest in terms of area and also the least populated. It is therefore the district with by far the lowest population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 783 per km². The outlying islands are notable for a more relaxed way of life than that of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula
Kowloon Peninsula
The Kowloon Peninsula is a peninsula that forms the southern part of the main landmass in the territory of Hong Kong. The Kowloon Peninsula and the area of New Kowloon are collectively known as Kowloon....
. The district has the third youngest residents.
Many islands of Hong Kong are actually not part of the district. Most notably, Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
contains four districts itself. The term Outlying Islands
Outlying Islands, Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, the Outlying Islands are the groups of islands that surround Hong Kong Island as well as Kowloon and the New Territories on the mainland. There are 236 islands in Hong Kong, the majority of which are part of Islands District in the south and southwest, Sai Kung District in the...
tends to refer to the islands of the Islands District. The northeast point of Lantau and Ma Wan
Ma Wan
Ma Wan is an island of Hong Kong, located between Lantau Island and Tsing Yi Island, with an area of 0.97 km². Administratively, it is part of Tsuen Wan District....
traditionally belong to Tsuen Wan District
Tsuen Wan District
Tsuen Wan District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It is located in the New Territories and is served by the Tsuen Wan Line of the MTR metro system. It had a population of 275,527 in 2001...
owing to their administration and transportation dependence of Tsuen Wan
Tsuen Wan
Tsuen Wan is a bay in the Kowloon area of Hong Kong, opposite to Tsing Yi Island across Rambler Channel. The market town of Tsuen Wan emerged for the surrounding villages and fleets of fishing boats in the area. The town is around the present-day Tsuen Wan Station of the MTR...
. Tsing Yi Island once was administrated by Tsuen Wan District and now by Kwai Tsing District
Kwai Tsing District
Kwai Tsing is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It consists of two parts - Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi Island. Kwai Tsing is part of the New Territories. It had a population of 477,092 in 2001...
. Whilst the Sai Kung Islands are part of the Sai Kung District
Sai Kung District
Sai Kung District is the second largest district in Hong Kong in terms of area. It comprises the southern half of Sai Kung Peninsula and Clear Water Bay Peninsula in the New Territories plus a strip to the east of Kowloon. The administrative centre is Sai Kung Town but the district's population is...
, and the Tolo Channel Islands part of Tai Po District
Tai Po District
Tai Po District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It covers the areas of Tai Po, Tai Po Kau, Ting Kok, Plover Cove and the northern part of Sai Kung Peninsula on both shores of Tolo Channel. It is located in the New Territories...
.
Tung Chung
Tung Chung
Tung Chung, meaning 'eastern stream', is an area situated on the north-western coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Tung Chung, currently one of the latest generation of new towns, was formerly a rural village around Tung Chung Wan, and along the delta and lower courses of Tung Chung River and Ma...
new town on the North Lantau near Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport , being built on the island of Chek Lap Kok by land reclamation, and also to distinguish it from its predecessor, the closed Kai Tak Airport.The airport opened for commercial...
, Chek Lap Kok
Chek Lap Kok
Chek Lap Kok was an island in the western waters of Hong Kong. Together with the smaller Lam Chau, it was leveled and merged via land reclamation into the platform for the current Hong Kong International Airport, which opened for commercial operations in 1998...
is a new generation of new town. Discovery Bay
Discovery Bay
Discovery Bay is a mixed, primarily residential, development comprising a residential development and private and public recreational facilities in Hong Kong. It is situated on the north-eastern coast of Lantau Island in the New Territories. The development spans an area of 650 hectares , and...
is a large private housing estate on East Lantau.
Collectively, Mui Wo
Mui Wo
Mui Wo is a rural town on the eastern coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. The main beach in Mui Wo is known as Silver Mine Bay .-History:...
and Tai O
Tai O
Tai O is a fishing town, partly located on an island of the same name, on the western side of Lantau Island in Hong Kong.-Geography:On the main part of Lantau Island, a river splits to the north and west and at this fork lies the island referred to as Tai O. Two pedestrian bridges cross the river...
on Lantau, Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau is a small island 10 km southwest of Hong Kong Island, is nicknamed as the 'dumbbell island' for its shape. It has been inhabited for longer than most other places in the territory of Hong Kong, with a population of about 23,000 up to 2006...
, Lamma Island
Lamma Island
Lamma Island , also known as Pok Liu Chau or simply Pok Liu , is the third largest island in Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of the Islands District.-Name:...
and Peng Chau
Peng Chau
Peng Chau is a small island located off the north-eastern coast of Lantau Island, Hong Kong, which has an area of 0.99 km².Peng Chau is known for its small island lifestyle, accessibility to fresh seafood, and several temples located around the island...
are more populated than the rest of the area of the district.
Islands of the district
- Cha Kwo Chau
- Chek Lap KokChek Lap KokChek Lap Kok was an island in the western waters of Hong Kong. Together with the smaller Lam Chau, it was leveled and merged via land reclamation into the platform for the current Hong Kong International Airport, which opened for commercial operations in 1998...
(Hong Kong International AirportHong Kong International AirportHong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport , being built on the island of Chek Lap Kok by land reclamation, and also to distinguish it from its predecessor, the closed Kai Tak Airport.The airport opened for commercial...
is built here) - Cheung ChauCheung ChauCheung Chau is a small island 10 km southwest of Hong Kong Island, is nicknamed as the 'dumbbell island' for its shape. It has been inhabited for longer than most other places in the territory of Hong Kong, with a population of about 23,000 up to 2006...
- Hei Ling ChauHei Ling ChauHei Ling Chau , formerly Hayling Chau, is an island of Hong Kong, located east of Silver Mine Bay and Chi Ma Wan of Lantau Island. It is administratively part of the Islands District.-Geography:...
- Sunshine IslandSunshine IslandSunshine Island , also known as Chau Kung To indigenously, is a companion island of Hei Ling Chau in Hong Kong. Northeast of Hei Ling Chau and south of Peng Chau, the island was once used as a drug addiction treatment centre. With some abandoned buildings, the island is not inhabited any more....
(Chau Kung To)
- Sunshine Island
- Peaked HillPeaked HillPeaked Hill, also known as Kai Yek Kok , is a stack island on the westernmost point on land of Hong Kong territories. The island is close to the west side of southwest Lantau Island, near Tsin Yue Wan and can be spotted from the 7th stage of Lantau Trail.The island is north of Lantau Channel and...
(Kai Yek Kok) - Kau Yi ChauKau Yi ChauKau Yi Chau , also known as Tai Kau Yi Chau , is an uninhabited island located west of Victoria Harbour, between Peng Chau and Green Island in Hong Kong. It is located on the crossroad of sea routes, east to west and north to south. The ferry between Central of Hong Kong Island and Mui Wo of...
- Siu Kau Yi Chau
- Lamma IslandLamma IslandLamma Island , also known as Pok Liu Chau or simply Pok Liu , is the third largest island in Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of the Islands District.-Name:...
- Luk Chau (George Island)
- Lantau IslandLantau IslandLantau Island , based on the old local name of Lantau Peak , is the largest island in Hong Kong, located at the mouth of the Pearl River. Administratively, most of Lantau Island is part of the Islands District of Hong Kong...
(The largest part of the district)- Discovery BayDiscovery BayDiscovery Bay is a mixed, primarily residential, development comprising a residential development and private and public recreational facilities in Hong Kong. It is situated on the north-eastern coast of Lantau Island in the New Territories. The development spans an area of 650 hectares , and...
- Mui WoMui WoMui Wo is a rural town on the eastern coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. The main beach in Mui Wo is known as Silver Mine Bay .-History:...
- Tai OTai OTai O is a fishing town, partly located on an island of the same name, on the western side of Lantau Island in Hong Kong.-Geography:On the main part of Lantau Island, a river splits to the north and west and at this fork lies the island referred to as Tai O. Two pedestrian bridges cross the river...
- Tung ChungTung ChungTung Chung, meaning 'eastern stream', is an area situated on the north-western coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Tung Chung, currently one of the latest generation of new towns, was formerly a rural village around Tung Chung Wan, and along the delta and lower courses of Tung Chung River and Ma...
- Discovery Bay
- Peng ChauPeng ChauPeng Chau is a small island located off the north-eastern coast of Lantau Island, Hong Kong, which has an area of 0.99 km².Peng Chau is known for its small island lifestyle, accessibility to fresh seafood, and several temples located around the island...
- Tai Lei
- Po Toi IslandsPo Toi IslandsThe Po Toi Islands are a small group of islands with a population of around 200, south-east of Hong Kong Island, off Stanley, in Hong Kong. The main island of the group is Po Toi Island. Administratively, they are part of Islands District....
- Lo Chau (Beaufort Island)
- Mat Chau
- Po ToiPo ToiPo Toi is the main island of the Po Toi Islands and the southern-most island of Hong Kong, with an area of 3.69 km².-Name:...
- Sung Kong
- Waglan IslandWaglan IslandWaglan Island is a member of the Po Toi group of islands in Hong Kong. It hosts a ground of meteorological observation and recording.-Waglan Lighthouse:...
- Shek Kwu ChauShek Kwu ChauShek Kwu Chau is an island of Hong Kong, located south of Lantau Island and between Cheung Chau and the Soko Islands. Administratively, it is part of Islands District.Shek Kwu Chau is a restricted area and a permit is required to visit the island....
- Soko IslandsSoko IslandsThe Soko Islands are a group of islands in Hong Kong. The group consists of Tai A Chau, Siu A Chau and several smaller nearby islands, in the southwestermost waters of the territory, to the southwest of Lantau Island....
- Cheung Muk Tau
- Ma Chau
- Siu A ChauSiu A ChauSiu A Chau is an uninhabited island of Hong Kong, part of the Soko Islands group, located south of Lantau Island.-Geography:Siu A Chau is the northernmost and the second largest of the Soko Islands, after Tai A Chau. It is dumbbell-shaped and has a rugged indented coastline with steep slopes. The...
- Tai A ChauTai A ChauTai A Chau is an uninhabited island of Hong Kong, part of the Soko Islands group, located south of Lantau Island. It is referred to as South Soko Island in some media articles.-Geography:...
- Tau Lo Chau
- Yuen Chau
- Yuen Kong Chau
Transport
- North Lantau HighwayNorth Lantau HighwayNorth Lantau Highway is part of Route 8 of Hong Kong, linking Hong Kong International Airport and Lantau Island with the rest of the territory. It is an expressway with three lanes in each direction for its entire length with full width hard shoulders for emergencies and breakdowns...
(connected to mainland New TerritoriesNew TerritoriesNew Territories is one of the three main regions of Hong Kong, alongside Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. It makes up 86.2% of Hong Kong's territory. Historically, it is the region described in The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory...
through the Lantau LinkLantau LinkThe Lantau Link, formerly known as the Lantau Fixed Crossing, is a series of infrastructures linking Hong Kong International Airport to the urban areas in Hong Kong. It was officially opened on 27 April 1997, and it opened to traffic on 22 May the same year.-Infrastructure:The Lantau Link is 3.5 km...
(Kap Shui Mun BridgeKap Shui Mun BridgeThe Kap Shui Mun Bridge in Hong Kong is one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world that transports both road and railway traffic, with the upper deck for motor vehicles, and the lower deck for both vehicles and the MTR. It has a main span of 430 metres and an overall length of 750 metres...
, Hong Kong Disneyland ResortHong Kong Disneyland ResortThe Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is a resort built by the Government of Hong Kong and The Walt Disney Company in Hong Kong on reclaimed land beside Penny's Bay, at the northeastern tip of Lantau Island, approximately two kilometres from Discovery Bay...
, Ma Wan ViaductMa Wan ViaductMa Wan Viaduct is a viaduct built over Ma Wan, an island in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. The viaduct connects the Tsing Ma Bridge and Kap Shui Mun Bridge, and is part of the Lantau Link and Route 8...
and Tsing Ma BridgeTsing Ma BridgeThe Tsing Ma Bridge is a bridge in Hong Kong. It is the world's seventh-longest span suspension bridge, and was the second longest at time of completion. The bridge was named after two of the islands at its ends, namely Tsing Yi and Ma Wan . It has two decks and carries both road and rail...
in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing districts - Hong Kong International AirportHong Kong International AirportHong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport , being built on the island of Chek Lap Kok by land reclamation, and also to distinguish it from its predecessor, the closed Kai Tak Airport.The airport opened for commercial...
- Tung Chung Line
- Airport ExpressAirport Express (MTR)The Airport Express is one of the lines of the Mass Transit Railway serving Hong Kong. It links the principal urban areas of Hong Kong to Hong Kong International Airport and the associated AsiaWorld-Expo exhibition and convention centre....
- Ferry piers at Tai OTai OTai O is a fishing town, partly located on an island of the same name, on the western side of Lantau Island in Hong Kong.-Geography:On the main part of Lantau Island, a river splits to the north and west and at this fork lies the island referred to as Tai O. Two pedestrian bridges cross the river...
(Wing Hong Street, Shek Tsai Po), Tung ChungTung ChungTung Chung, meaning 'eastern stream', is an area situated on the north-western coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Tung Chung, currently one of the latest generation of new towns, was formerly a rural village around Tung Chung Wan, and along the delta and lower courses of Tung Chung River and Ma...
, Hong Kong International Airport, Cheung Chau WanCheung ChauCheung Chau is a small island 10 km southwest of Hong Kong Island, is nicknamed as the 'dumbbell island' for its shape. It has been inhabited for longer than most other places in the territory of Hong Kong, with a population of about 23,000 up to 2006...
, Mui WoMui WoMui Wo is a rural town on the eastern coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. The main beach in Mui Wo is known as Silver Mine Bay .-History:...
(Silvermine Bay), Lamma IslandLamma IslandLamma Island , also known as Pok Liu Chau or simply Pok Liu , is the third largest island in Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of the Islands District.-Name:...
(Yung Shue WanYung Shue WanYung Shue Wan is the main population centre on Lamma Island, Hong Kong. It has a population of approximately 6,000.-Features:The village is a mix of residential properties, shops and restaurants. Yung Shue Wan gives a Mediterranean feeling when walking through it...
, Sok Kwu WanSok Kwu Wanthumb|250px|Sok Kwu Wan viewed from [[Lamma Island]] walkSok Kwu Wan or Picnic Bay is a bay in the Middle East coast of Lamma Island, Hong Kong...
), Discovery BayDiscovery BayDiscovery Bay is a mixed, primarily residential, development comprising a residential development and private and public recreational facilities in Hong Kong. It is situated on the north-eastern coast of Lantau Island in the New Territories. The development spans an area of 650 hectares , and...
, Chi Ma WanChi Ma WanChi Ma Wan is a bay on southeastern Lantau Island, New Territories, Hong Kong. Chi Ma Wan Peninsula is where Chi Ma Wan, as well as Cheung Sha Wan, Tai Long Wan, Yi Long Wan and Mong Tung Wan are located...
, Peng ChauPeng ChauPeng Chau is a small island located off the north-eastern coast of Lantau Island, Hong Kong, which has an area of 0.99 km².Peng Chau is known for its small island lifestyle, accessibility to fresh seafood, and several temples located around the island...
, etc. - New Lantao BusNew Lantao BusThe New Lantao Bus Company Limited – known as New Lantao Bus, or NLB – is a franchised bus company operating in Hong Kong.-History:...
- Ngong Ping 360Ngong Ping 360The Ngong Ping 360 is a tourism project on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. The project was previously known as Tung Chung Cable Car Project before acquiring the Ngong Ping 360 brand in April 2005...
External links
- Islands District Council
- List and map of electoral constituencies (large PDF file)
- http://www.islandsdc.gov.hk/