Kowloon (/ˌkaʊˈluːn/) is one of thethree areas ofHong Kong, along withHong Kong Island and theNew Territories. It is an urban area comprising theKowloon Peninsula andNew Kowloon. It has a population of 2,019,533 and a population density of 43,033/km2 (111,450/sq mi) in 2006. It is the smallest, second most populous, and most densely populated of the divisions.
Statutorily, "Kowloon" is only the area south of Boundary Street and Stonecutters Island, but in common use, New Kowloon is not regarded as part of the New Territories, but as an integral part of the Kowloon urban area whether north or south of Boundary Street.
Large-scale development of Kowloon began in the early 20th century, with the construction of theKowloon-Canton Railway and theKowloon Wharf, but because of the close proximity of Kowloon's built-up area toKai Tak Airport, building construction was limited by flight paths. As a result, compared to Hong Kong Island, Kowloon had a much lower skyline.[1] AfterWorld War II, Kowloon became extremely congested whenslums forrefugees from the newly established People's Republic of China gave way topublic housing estates, mixed with private residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
The 1911 census recorded a population of 7,306, with most beingHakka.[4] Theinvasion of China by Japan in 1937 caused the population of Kowloon to grow drastically. Between 1937 and 1939, 750,000 refugees arrived in Kowloon and nearby areas, with many not having residence.[5]
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