Description & Facts: Hong Kong is much more than one city and can be divided into four geographic areas, each with its own unique character that merits separate exploration. Hong Kong Island is the site of the original British settlement. The northern part of the Island is densely populated with people and structures. Because of land scarcity, most of Hong Kong's highest skyscrapers can be found here, including its famous skyline along the northern coastline. Hong Kong's financial centre, shopping and nightlife districts and government offices are also located on the northern section of island. The southern section has a less populated, more leisurely feel, with beautiful beaches and luxury residential complexes housing the territory's richest. Overall, Hong Kong Island is more Westernised and much wealthier than the other areas of Hong Kong. Kowloon is the peninsula jutting south towards Hong Kong Island from the Asian continent. It is the most populous area in Hong Kong and at one time it was the most densely populated place in the world. Today, it offers a chaotic mix of malls, street markets and residential tenements. Nathan Road runs up the spine of Kowloon, a street once famously known as the Miracle Mile for its dense highrises, shopping, hotels, wall-to-wall people and an explosion of neon lights. Kowloon literally means nine dragons and refers to the eight hills that were once visible before the skyscrapers took the view away. Legend has it that the ninth dragon was the boy emperor who counted the hills. The New Territories, named by British officials when leased from the Chinese government in 1898, contains a curious mix of small farms, villages, industrial installations, mountainous country parks and towns that have populations the size of some cities. Most of the New Territories is rural and provides a surprising green alternative to an over-urbanised Hong Kong. The Outlying Islands are the 234 other islands in the territory ranging from Lantau (twice the size of Hong Kong Island) to rocks poking out of the sea. Hong Kong International airport was located on reclaimed land here.