Hong Kong is a vibrant and densely populated urban center with a complex history and a rich blend of cultures. It is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China, having been transferred from British control in 1997. The region operates under the principle of "one country, two systems," which allows it to maintain a separate legal and economic system from mainland China. With over 7.4 million residents from various nationalities in a territory of just 1,104 square kilometers, Hong Kong stands as one of the most densely populated areas in the world.