7 million people inhabit the Chinese city of Hong Kong, located on the Pearl River estuary in southern China. With an area of ​​only 426 square miles, it is one of the most densely populated regions in the world. Known for its imposing skyline, light pollution and thriving economy, it is a very unusual city because it operates under a capitalist system while the mainland is communist. Its laissez-faire economy is the result of more than a century of British colonial rule: before its colonization, Hong Kong was home only to fishermen and farmers. Britain made it one of the most prosperous trading outposts in the East. The island's ideal location at the mouth of the Pearl River contributed to its success, as did the freedom granted to it by the colonial government. This very freedom also attracted millions of immigrants from the continent who became workers in one of the world's greatest manufacturing cities. In the 20th century, Britain returned the island to China, an event that caused much conflict and concern not only in Hong Kong but around the world. Surprisingly, the Chinese communist government allowed the city to continue as it always had, granting it almost complete autonomy and taking no action that would interfere with its capitalist economy. As a result, Hong Kong continued to prosper and did not lose its place among the most financially successful cities in the world. Before the British colonization of Hong Kong, no economic development was taking place and the island was very underutilized. The island itself has been inhabited since ancient times, but it was not until the 12th century that mainland Chinese began to settle there. New arrivals began to call themselves locals and the growth of ...... middle of paper ......y continues unhindered. During the CNN open-mic interview, a Hong Kong citizen expressed the difference between his city and mainland China this way: “I can only sum it up in one word: freedom. We have more freedom here, freedom of speech and. . . freedom of expression. I hope one day China will be the same. » Works cited “History”. History of Hong Kong. Lonely Planet, nd Web. December 8, 2013. .WebsiteLinkTagsEditDeleteMoncure, Richard. “BRIEF HISTORY OF HONG KONG.” THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG. California State University: Dominguez Hills, nd Web. December 8, 2013. “What is the difference between Hong Kong and mainland China? Open mic interview on CNN. CNN, June 27, 2012. Web. December 9. 2013. .