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Hong Kong's Freehold Landholder Since 1847: St John's Cathedral

Over seven million people are packed into an area that is only 1,104 square kilometers in size, making Hong Kong one of the most densely populated places on the planet. The fact that almost all of Hong Kong's land is rented from the government is one factor that contributes to the city's extremely high population density. St.

John's Cathedral owns the only piece of freehold land that can be found at this time; it was given to the cathedral in the year 1847.After the end of the First Opium War in 1842, the British government began leasing land from the Chinese government for the first time. The initial term of the leases was 99 years, but it was eventually increased all the way up to 999 years.

The present leases are set to end in 2047, which is also the year that China is expected to regain control of Hong Kong.The scarcity of land in Hong Kong is a primary contributor to its exorbitant prices. The quantity of land that can be leased is determined by the government, and over the past many years, the government has been gradually releasing a less and smaller portion of that property.

As a result, land prices have shot through the roof, contributing to Hong Kong's reputation as one of the most expensive locations to live in the world.Despite the high cost of living, Hong Kong continues to be a popular location for both tourists and people looking to make a new life abroad. The city has a long history and a rich culture, and its distinctive blending of Eastern and Western influences makes it an interesting location to live.

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