POPULATION 6.9 MILLION - AREA 1042 SQ KM - OFFICIAL LANGUAGE CANTONESE
One of the world's great shopping destinations, this former British colony enjoys a 'one country, two systems' form of socialistic government, with China allowing plenty of autonomy, especially when visitors want to spend big bucks. A large expat community makes this an accessible destination for non-Cantonese speakers (though Cantopop may get on your nerves), and many mainland Chinese are exploring Hong Kong's freedom with budget flights from Beijing and Shanghai. The 2009 East Asian Games will bring in even more neighboring nations as athletes, swimmers and…er, ballroom dancers brave the famously smoggy city in December.
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