HONG KONG.
A colony of Great Britain, formerly a part of China. It consists of the Island of Hong Kong, ceded to Great Britain in 1841, and the opposite peninsula of Kow-loon, ceded to Great Britain, 1861. The government is administered by a Governor, aided by an Executive Council. There is also a Legislative Council. The chief city is Victoria. In 1883 the government sustained 87 schools, with 5,597 pupils. The total population of Hong Kong is 160,420, of whom but 7,990 are white persons.
Hong Kong forms the centre of trade for many different kinds of goods. Its commerce is virtually a part of that of China, and is chiefly carried on with Great Britain, the United States and Germany. Of the exports and imports only mercantile estimates are known; these place the former at about $10,000,000, and the latter at $20,000,000. The tea and silk trade of China is largely in the hands of Hong Kong firms. In 1882, 28,668 vessels, of 4,976,233 tons, entered the ports of Hong Kong.
ARABIA.A-ra´be-a.
A peninsula of Asia. Area, 1,000,000 square miles; length, 1,200 miles; breadth, 900 miles. Sandy desert comprises most of the country; fertile regions are shores of the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Seacoast, 1,200 miles in length. Heat intense: rainfall light.
Population variously estimated from 8,500,000 to 15,000,000. Claims descent from Ishmael; nomadic habits; Mohammedans in belief.
The pearl fisheries, which are of great commercial importance, begin at the Bahrein Islands, and extend southeast along the Persian Gulf, a distance of nearly 200 miles. The yearly produce is estimated to be worth, over $1,250,000.
Coffee, probably indigenous, chief article of export. Wheat, barley, beans, millet, dates and lentils form food of the natives. Rivers unimportant.
Arabia was never subject to one sovereign. Inhabitants broken up into petty tribes, each ruled by its own chief.