Hong Kong is situated on the southeastern coast of China and covers an area of 1,104 square kilometers (425 square miles).

It comprises Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, which includes 262 outlying islands. The climate is sub-tropical.

Despite Hong Kong's image of a bustling city, more than 70 percent of its land mass is rural and all within easy reach of urban areas. Nature lovers can enjoy everything from tramping through bamboo forests, climbing stunning mountains and hiking across country parks, bird-watching, relaxing on tranquil beaches, etc.

As much of Hong Kong's terrain is hilly to mountainous with steep slopes, less than 25% of the territory's landmass is developed, and about 40% of the remaining land area is reserved as country parks and nature reserves.

Most of the territory's urban development exists on Kowloon peninsula, along the northern edge of Hong Kong Island and in scattered settlements throughout the New Territories.

The highest elevation in the territory is at Tai Mo Shan, at a height of 957 meters (3,140 ft) above sea level. Hong Kong's long, irregular and curvaceous coast line provides it with many bays, rivers and beaches.