Hong Kong's history is one of competing cultures and colonial settlement, with the Chinese and the British leaving the greatest mark today.

Chinese Settlement

The area now known as Hong Kong was settled by Chinese long before the British arrived. Clans arrived in the New Territories after the 12th century and built protective, walled villages, followed by Tanka fisherfolk who lived aboard their boats and Hoklos who lived in coastal towns. The Hakka were primarily farmers.

The British

After the British won the first Opium War in 1842, they claimed Hong Kong Island, followed by victory in the second Opium War, which gave them Kowloon. A 99-year lease signed in 1898 expanded the British colony into the New Territories and more than 200 outlying islands.

By 1900 Hong Kong's population had soared to 263,000 people and about 11,000 ships were pulling into port. Victoria (now called Central) was the financial district, with the colony's wealthiest occupying mansions up the slope of Victoria Peak. Unrest in China brought waves of refugees, many of whom settled in shanty towns. After a 1953 fire destroyed a squatter camp, Hong Kong authorities began a public housing project.

One Country Two-Systems