History of Jakarta

The History of Jakarta dates back from around 500 years ago in a small part of the downstream of Ciliwung River. During centuries later, the city port grew into a bustling international trade center.

The story of Jakarta at the earlier phase emanates from the diverse ancient inscriptions found in the nearby port. The untold stories of Jakarta up until the earlier arrival of European colonialists were very scarce.

European writers reported that at early 16 century Kelapa was the port`s name of a Hindus Kingdom called Sunda with Pajajaran as its capital city. It was located around 40 kilometers near the city of Bogor nowadays.

Portugal was the first biggest group of Europeans coming to Kelapa Port. The City was then under assault by mob led by a young man named Fatahillah from a given kingdom near Kelapa. Afterwards on June 22, 1527 Fatahillah changed the name of Sunda Kelapa into Jayakarta. Hence, the date is commemorated as the date of birth of the City Jakarta. The Dutch came by the end of the 16 centuries and took control of Jayakarta.

The name Jayakarta was then changed into Batavia. The geographical condition of the city Batavia was more or less the same as that of the Netherlands their native soil. They built canals in anticipation of the floods inundation. The central of the city administration was concentrated around a field located 500 meters from the port. They also built a beautiful city municipality, which was also the central of the Batavia city administration. In the long run the city Batavia developed southward. The rapid growth of the city contributed the environmental damages so that the Dutch colonialist forced to move its central administration into higher lands. Later, the spot was named as Weltevreden.

(Credit: Official Website of DKI Jakarta Province Indonesia. Click here for further information.)

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                  Red kangeroo (Photo credit: China Foto Press)
Canberra is located in the Australian Capital Territory, which is surrounded by New South Wales. The city is 150 kilometres inland and 571 metres above the Pacific Ocean, 281 kilometres from Sydney and 660 kilometres from Melbourne.

About 325,000 people live in Canberra.

It was established in 1911 to create a capital for the newly federated country of Australia.

Canberra is a fantastic base from which to explore the many treasures of the surrounding region. The region offers historic townships, natural wonders, beautiful coastlines and the famous Snowy Mountains.


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Good job!Thank you!

                Zenkoji Temple (Photo credit: Nagano Convetion & Visitors Bureau)

The city of Nagano, the prefectural capital of Nagano Prefecture, is situated closely to the geographical center of Japan.

Nagano is well known to have served as the host city for the 18th Olympic Winter Games held in 1998. The mountains of the Togakushi Range and the high peaks of the Northern Japan Alps can be viewed soaring in the distance from the city while the gentle-looking Iizuna Heights rises to the north. The Chikuma River flows at a leisurely pace through the city. The Sai and Susobana rivers, which gather crystal-clear waters of streams originating in the Northern Japan Alps, join the Chikuma to eventually become the Shinano River that traverses neighboring Niigata Prefecture and finally empties into the Sea of Japan. Embraced by such an exquisite and pure natural environment, Nagano City has developed around the highly revered Zenkoji Temple, a national treasure with a history of over 1,400 years.

Nagano is proud of its tradition of warm hospitality as it has welcomed countless visitors over the centuries. As such, an atmosphere of casual friendship and heart-to-heart communication prevails throughout the city. Nagano, therefore, has truly become resort-oriented "international convention and tourist city" where one can find a true harmony between the world of nature and human interaction.

(Credit: Nagano Convention & Visitors Bureau. Click here for further information.)


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Location

At 126 degrees east longitude and at 37 degrees north latitude

Climate

Seoul belongs to the Temperate Zone featuring four distinctive seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. The yearly average temperature of Seoul is 12.2 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in Seoul show large seasonal variation, reaching as high as 38.4 degrees Celsius in the summer and dropping as low as minus 19.2 degrees Celsius in the winter. Influenced by the North Pacific high-pressure system, Seoul has hot and humid summers with average temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius from June through September.

In the middle of summer, the city often records daily highs of over 30 degrees Celsius. In winter, Seoul is geographically influenced by the expansion of the Siberian high pressure and prevailing west wind with temperatures dropping lower than other regions on the same latitude. The rise and fall of the high-pressure system causes a typical cycle of three successive cold days followed by four warmer days, relieving people from freezing temperatures.

The annual precipitation in Seoul averages 1,344.2 millimeters , which is more than the average amount of rainfall across the peninsula. Most of the rainfall is concentrated in the rainy months (monsoon period) of June through September when downpours account for about 70 percent of the total annual precipitation. Except for those rainy spells, however, Seoul boasts fine weather throughout the year and is especially famous for its azure autumn skies.

Area

The total area of Seoul is 605.52 square kilometers , or 0.6 percent of the entire country. The Hangang (River) bisects the city into two parts: northern part ( Gangbuk ) and southern one (Gangnam). The Gangbuk area totals 297.97 square kilometers (49.2 % ) while Gangnam is 307.55 square kilometers (50.8 % ).

Among the 25 autonomous "gu" or wards of Seoul, the largest is Seocho-gu (47.13 ㎢ ) and the smallest is Jung-gu with an area only one fifth (9.97 ㎢ ) that of Seocho-gu.

The expansion of the city has been curbed since the last administrative reorganization in 1973. The lifestyles of Seoul citizens, however, have been influenced since the 1970's by to the rapid growth of satellite cities around the capital area.

Bordering Cities & Counties:

Gyeonggi-do: Goyang-si, Yangju-gun (county) and Euijeongbu-si to the north; Namyangju -si, Guri-si and Hanam-si to the east; Seongnam-si, Gwacheon-si and Anyang-si to the south; Gwangmyeong-si, Bucheon-si and Gimpo-si to the west.

Population

Seoul has a population of 10,297,004 as of the end of 2005. This accounts for about a quarter of the total national population. As for the proportion of male to female excluding foreigners, women (5,173,266) slightly outnumber men (5,123,738). By district, Nowon-gu has the biggest population of 624,855. In contrast, Jung-gu has the smallest population of only 134,420. Since Seoul became the capital of the nation in 1394, the population of Seoul has grown 110 times.

The number of foreign residents in Seoul as of the end of 2005 is 129,660 or about 1.3 % of Seoul's total population. They include 77,881 Chinese, 11,487 Americans, and 6,710 Japanese. There are people of more than 90 different nationalities currently residing in Seoul, forming a small global village.

Origin of Name

The name of Seoul comes from the ancient word 'Seorabeol' or 'Seobeol', meaning "capital"

Administrative Organization: Mayor, 3 Vice Mayors, 12 Offices, 10 Bureaus, 64 Divisions, 3 headquarters and 76 affiliate offices.

Legislative Organization

Seoul Metropolitan Council

Administrative Districts: 25 Gus consisting of 522 Dongs

Budget: 12,663.5 billion won

Mountains

8 consisting of 4 inner mountains: Bukaksan (Mt.) to the north, Naksan (Mt.) to the east, Inwangsan (Mt.) to the west and Namsan (Mt.) to the south; 4 outer mountains: Bukhansan (Mt.) to the north, Yongmasan (Mt.) to the east, Deogyangsan (Mt.) to the west, and Gwanaksan (Mt.) to the south.

River

Hangang (River)

credit: http://english.seoul.go.kr/today/about/about_01quick.htm


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                        Statue of Kim Il Sung (Photo credit: China Photo Press)

(BEIJING, March 16) -- Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) with a population of about 2 million.

Pyongyang had been the capital of the country for more than 1,500 years from the time when Tangun, the ancestral father of the nation, built Kojoson, the first ancient kingdom in Korea, 5,000 years ago to the period around the 14th century B.C.

Tangun set up Pyongyang as a capital and expanded his territory and built a powerful state.

Pyongyang had been a center of the country for nearly 3,000 years as the capital of three kingdoms, Tangun's Korea and its successors Hujoson and Manjoson--until 108 B.C.

Historical status and role of Pyongyang was carried forward by koguryo which emerged as a 1,000-year-strong country following Kojoson.

Koguryo moved its capital to Pyongyang in 427 and further strengthened the economy and military power of the country, fully demonstrating the resourcefulness and might of the nation to the world.

Today Pyongyang stands as the capital of the DPRK, a modern city with a lot of grand monumental edifices

Pyongyang is the country's political, economic and cultural center. Pyongyang underwent rapid development of industry during the post-war period.

Pyongyang is a famous tourist destination with many admirable historical sites, such as the Chollima Statue, the Tower of the Juche Idea, the Grand Monument on Mansu Hill and Arch of Triumph.


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President Ho Chi Minh once said: "The southern region is the flesh and blood of Vietnam. Rivers may be shallow, mountains may be eroded, but the truth will never change."

The truth proves that Vietnam was formed through a long time of reclamation of land from the sea and forests, expansion and defense of our ancestors; it also expresses the struggle against foreign invaders who wanted to separate the southern region, including HCM City, from Vietnam.

Long ago, when first arriving in the land around Saigon that they called Gia Dinh, and settling in the entire southern region, the settlers always looked toward the capital, now Hanoi, but formerly called Thang Long:

Since the days of bringing swords southward to expand the country,The South has longed for Thang Long (Rising Dragon)!

In 1859, the French colonialists occupied Saigon and the southern region. From the South, they expanded their invasion in the whole country. Under French rule, Vietnam was divided into three regions, with three different policies. The northern region was a protectorate, the central region was governed by a Vietnamese king and French special envoy, and the southern region was a colony.

Politically, the invaders suppressed all resistance movements and controlled the circulation among the three regions. Economically, they invested only in fields that benefited their homeland; they maintained monopolies of salt, liquor and opium. Socially, they promoted backward habits of the feudalism and carried out obscurantism; up to 90% of Vietnamese people were illiterate at that time.

The French invaders paid closer attention to the southern region in general and Saigon in particular. They tried to turn Saigon into the "Pearl of the Far East" with a view to boast their colonial civilization policy. The entire southern region had only one Vietnamese representative in France's Parliament.

Under the French occupation, people organized many patriotic movements to struggle against the invaders in spite of the Nguyen dynasty's attitude of weakly accepting the situation. All the patriotic movements against invasion, namely the resistance wars led by Thu Khoa Huan, Truong Cong Dinh and Nguyen Trung Truc in the southern region; the struggles led by Phan Dinh Phung and Tong Duy Tan in the central region; and the resistance wars led by Hoang Hoa Tham and Nguyen Thien Thuat in the northern region; were local, without coordination by way of help for one another.


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Later, though the movements calling for freeing Phan Boi Chau or mourning Phan Chu Trinh ¡§C two patriotic scholars ¡§C and the resistance war launched by Vietnam Kuomintang in Yen Bai in 1930 were larger, they ended in failure.

Only after Nguyen Tat Thanh (President Ho Chi Minh later) left Saigon's Nha Rong Port in 1911 for Europe, witnessed the success of Russia's October Revolution, which opened a new era with Lenin's theses on people and colonial powers, and then brought back and publicized Marxism-Leninism during the formation of Vietnam's working class and the Communist Party, that nation-building and national liberation got on the right path.

The unification congress on February 3, 1930, presided over by President Ho Chi Minh, saw the establishment of the Vietnam Communist Party and the blueprint of the fight against invasion, and feudalism, and for national liberation, land allocation to farmers, and the building of socialism. These policies and mechanisms paved the way for the success of Vietnam's revolution despite all the difficulties and sacrifice.

After the Party's establishment, the Party Central Committee was based in Saigon during the 1930-1940 period. After the Southern Region Revolution, the central committee was moved to Hanoi. Under the Party's command, the revolution was started throughout the country, the peak of which was the Xo Viet Nghe Tinh movement in the 1930-1931 period. The movement called for people's welfare and democracy, anti-Fascism, and struggles in Saigon and Hanoi. The revolution rose to another peak in the 1939-1945 period when the Party prepared all forces and facilities for its opportunity. When World War II ended, with the unconditional surrender of the Fascists to the Allies, the Party launched a resistance war countrywide. Under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, the people took the opportunity to seize political power within 12 days (from August 14 to 25), despite heavy losses after the Southern Region Revolution. This is a legendary story for a backward and separated country under foreign occupation.

The August Revolution was a milestone for the history of the country. The revolution completely destroyed the colonialist and feudal regime, and put an end to its separation policy. It helped set up the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, turning the Vietnamese from slaves to owners of the country, and the Party to the political power holder.

The August Revolution created a uniform government for the entire country, making it a stepping stone for the resistance wars against French and American invaders. Internationally, the French Government had to recognize this revolutionary government through a preliminary agreement signed on March 6, 1946, and a temporary treaty signed on September 14, 1946, at the Fontainebleau Conference, where President Ho Chi Minh was invited as a VIP.

However, after the August Revolution, Vietnam encountered such difficulties as illiteracy, hunger and invasion. In the North, 200,000 Chinese soldiers entered the country, while British soldiers entered the South to take over Japanese soldiers who had surrendered. All of them hated the revolutionary government and managed to eliminate it. The British forces also helped the French colonialists to reoccupy Vietnam. When France was still ruled by German soldiers, the French Government claimed that it would manage to recover Indochina.

In this context, 28 days after the Saigon people seized political power, on September 23, 1945, French invaders occupied Saigon again and the whole southern region, as a step to invading the entire country. They established an "autonomous" Southern Region, with a puppet government, Saigon being the capital, aiming to repeat what they did nearly 100 years before.

The Central Government, led by President Ho Chi Minh, followed the Independence Proclamation announced by President Ho on September 2, 1945:

"All peoples in the world were born equal; every people has the right to live, be happy and enjoy liberty??"

"The people, who have bravely fought the French invasion over the past 80 years, and who have bravely supported the Allies to fight Fascism, must live independently??"

"Vietnam has the right to enjoy freedom and independence, and it is really a country of liberty and independence. All Vietnamese people are determined to use all their spirit, facilities, lives and property to protect liberty and independence."

The people in Saigon and the southern region began to fight French invaders with all kinds of rudimentary weapons, ready to risk their lives instead of being occupied, starting the 30-year resistance war to protect their independence and reunification.

The Party Central Committee and the Government led by President Ho Chi Minh also appealed: "All for the resistance war and the southern front." Northern and northern Central provinces sent many groups to the South. The Central Committee ordered 2,000 political prisoners, who had just freed from Con Dao Island, to stay in the southern region to assist the resistance forces there. Ton Duc Thang, Le Duan, Pham Hung and Le Van Luong were among these prisoners.

As the French military force was so strong, it expanded the occupation from Saigon to many southern localities. On February 27, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh appealed to southern soldiers and people to continue the struggle, granting them the glorious title of "Fatherland's Iron Bulwark."

The resistance war of the people in Saigon and the southern region aimed to delay the French invasion process for the Central Government to have enough time to push Chinese soldiers back into their own homeland, hold talks with the French Government, and prepare forces for a long-term resistance war against the French invaders.

The war broke out, with the main battlefields in the North. People and soldiers in Saigon and the southern region boosted their guerrilla warfare to cause more losses for the enemy, enabling the Government to launch a series of big military operations, especially the historic victory of Dien Bien Phu. Although busy with the main battlefields, the Government paid close attention to those battlefields in the southern region and regularly sent soldiers and weapons there.

With the Dien Bien Phu victory and the Geneva Treaty (1954), half of Vietnam from latitude 17 northward was liberated. The South was still occupied, waiting for a general election for national reunification two years later.

But U.S. imperialists then entered to replace French colonialists, aiming at a long-term occupation in the South, with a puppet government following a new type of colonialism, and Saigon was chosen as the capital of South Vietnam (from latitude 17 southward). Therefore, the South became the frontline and the North the rear. The resistance war against American invasion lasted for 21 years.

The North carried out the "All for the frontline, all for defeating U.S. imperialists and the puppet government" slogan set by the Central Committee and President Ho Chi Minh. Many campaigns for the South were launched in the North. Almost every family in the North had at least one member participating in liberating the South.

Despite hardships and sacrifice, people and soldiers in Saigon and the southern region always looked to the North and President Ho, firmly confident of final victory. The South was worried when American invaders bombed the North, especially Hanoi and Haiphong with giant B52 aircraft at the end of 1972. The South strengthened the resistance war to help the North, and southern people were very glad to see the triumph of people and soldiers in Hanoi in their fight against U.S. air raids.

The entire country fought, and nothing could stop Vietnamese from struggling for national independence, liberty and reunification. Finally, the war ended in victory. On April 30, 1975, Saigon and the entire southern region were liberated. The liberation was welcomed by all people in the country and by people in every country.

The country has been unified after years of resistance war against French and American invaders. From Saigon, Uncle Ho had found a way out for the people and the country. He wished to visit Saigon and the southern region, and the beloved people, but his wish could not be fulfilled. He died in 1969.

In 1976, after the reunification, the National Assembly unanimously decided to rename Saigon-Cholon-Gia Dinh as Ho Chi Minh City. The city is worth bearing the name of the beloved president, who founded the Communist Party, army, front and revolutionary government, and who led the people and the country to a glorious victory. Bearing the name of Uncle Ho is a big honor for the city, but it also requires high responsibility for building and protecting the country.

Since liberation, HCM City has contributed a great deal to socialist and national construction and defense. Politburo's Resolution 01 (1982) stipulates that HCM City has a political position just behind Hanoi, the capital. It is endowed with favorable conditions that cannot be found elsewhere. It has great potential for developing industry, exports, tourism and services. In coordination with other localities, HCM City is forming an agro-industrial economic structure for the country's socio-economic development.

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[ Last edited by ASHLEYTUNG at 2008-4-22 16:49 ]

HCM City has contributed a great deal to the country, particularly in terms of economy. On the road to industrialization and modernization on the threshold of the 21st century, HCM City has connected with Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Binh Duong provinces to form a focal economic hub. It has also cooperated with the Mekong Delta provinces, the rice basket of the country; the southwestern provinces and the Central Highlands, with forestry potentials; and the central and northern provinces. HCM City is one of the country's biggest venues to attract foreign direct investment. It is trying to become a sizable tourism and service center.

In the effort to achieve integration with the economies of Southeast Asia, and with those of the rest of the world, HCM City has been trying to contribute its part to the common cause. As part of the unified country, HCM City strives to realize the tasks set by the resolution of the 9th Party Congress, contributing its part to national construction and defense to be worthy of a city bearing the name of Uncle Ho.

( 300 years of Saigon-HCM City ¡§C Chinh Tri Quoc Gia Publishing House )

RESOLUTION

By the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 6th tenure, 1st session, for officially renaming Saigon-Gia Dinh City as Ho Chi Minh City.

The National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Considering the boundless love of the people of Saigon-Gia Dinh City for President Ho Chi Minh and their wish for the city to be named after him;

Considering the long and difficult revolutionary struggle launched in Saigon-Gia Dinh City, with several glorious feats, deserves the honor of being named after President Ho Chi Minh;

After discussing the suggestion of the Presidium of the National Assembly's meeting;

Decides to rename Saigon-Gia Dinh City as Ho Chi Minh City.

Hanoi, July 2, 1976

P.p. the Presidium,Truong Chinh

( 20 Years of HCM City )

(Credit: HCM CityWeb. Click here for further information.)

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Thanks for your information.

Hong Kong, described as a 'barren rock' over 150 years ago, has become a world-class financial, trading and business centre and, indeed, a great world city.

Hong Kong has no natural resources, except one of the finest deep-water ports in the world. A hardworking, adaptable and well-educated workforce of about 3.58 million, coupled with entrepreneurial flair, is the bedrock of Hong Kong's productivity and creativity.



Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997, after a century and a half of British administration. Under Hong Kong's constitutional document, the Basic Law, the existing economic, legal and social systems will be maintained for 50 years. The SAR enjoys a high degree of autonomy except in defence and foreign affairs.

Location


Situated at the south-eastern tip of China, Hong Kong is ideally positioned at the centre of rapidly developing East Asia. With a total area of 1 104 square kilometres, it covers Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula just opposite, and the New Territories ¡§C the more rural section of Hong Kong, which also includes 262 outlying islands.

Population

Hong Kong's population was about 6.94 million in mid-2005. The population density was 6 420 people per square kilometre. Hong Kong had a large foreign population of about 517 560. The top three nationalities came from the Philippines (130 810), Indonesia (114 020) and Thailand (28 360).

Language


Chinese and English are the official languages. English is widely used in the Government and by the legal, professional and business sectors. There is no shortage of well- educated competent bilingual or even trilingual professionals who speak English, Cantonese and Putonghua. These are vital staff for any enterprise trading in Hong Kong or doing business with the Mainland and Taiwan.

Climate

Hong Kong's climate is sub-tropical, tending towards the temperate for nearly half the year. Temperatures can drop below 10 degrees Celsius in winter and exceed 31 degrees Celsius in summer. About 90 per cent of the rainfall occurs between April and September.


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Major International Trading Centre

Hong Kong is the world's 11th largest trading economy, the world's sixth largest foreign exchange market, the world's 15th largest banking centre, and Asia's second biggest stock market. Hong Kong is one of the world's top exporters of garments, watches and clocks, toys, games, electronic products and certain light industrial products.

Global Services Centre

Hong Kong was the world's 11th largest exporter of services in 2005. Travel and tourism, trade-related services, transportation services, financial and banking services and professional services are the main components of trade in services.


International Corporate Base

About 3 900 international corporations have established regional headquarters or offices in Hong Kong. The major types of business include the wholesale/retail and import/export trades, other business services (e.g. accounting, advertising and legal services), finance and banking, manufacturing, transport and related services.

Free Trade and Free Market

Hong Kong advocates and practises free trade ¡§C a free and liberal investment regime, the absence of trade barriers, no discrimination against overseas investors, freedom of capital movement, well-established rule of law, transparent regulations, and low and predictable taxation.

Small Government

Hong Kong has a small and efficient government structure. Corporate and personal taxes are low and simple to calculate. The HKSAR Government is well known for its efficiency, transparency and fairness. It is ready to lend a helping hand to business people and companies under a long-established philosophy of 'maximum help and minimum interference' for business.

Monetary System

The objective of Hong Kong's monetary policy is to maintain currency stability. Given the highly externally oriented nature of the economy, this objective is further defined as a stable external value for the Hong Kong dollar in terms of a linked exchange rate against the US dollar at the rate of $7.80 to US$1. This objective is achieved through the Linked Exchange Rate System introduced in October 1983.

The Rule of Law

Hong Kong has a well-established and trusted legal system based on the common law. The rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people and those living here are founded upon the impartial rule of law, an independent judiciary, a comprehensive system of legal aid, and a free and active press. [ Judiciary ]

Airport

Hong Kong is a major international and regional aviation centre. Hong Kong International Airport, one of the busiest in the world, is served by major international airlines that provide about 4 900 scheduled passenger services and 700 freight services weekly from Hong Kong to 139 cities worldwide. When fully developed, the airport will be able to handle up to 87 million passengers and 9 million tonnes of cargo a year. Hong Kong International Airport has been named the world's best airport from 2001 to 2005 in a survey conducted by British-based Skytrax Research.

Port

In 2005, Hong Kong handled 22.6 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) of containers, making it the world's second busiest container port. The nine container terminals at Kwai Chung-Tsing Yi are under the management of five operators. Covering an area of 270 hectares, the container terminals provide 24 berths with 8 530-metre frontage. The water depth of the Kwai Chung-Tsing Yi basin is 15.5 metres and the total handling capacity of the terminals is over 18 million TEUs per year. During 2005, some 39 140 ocean-going vessels and 192 680 river trade vessels called at Hong Kong. These vessels handled 230.1 million tonnes of cargo and 21.5 million passengers.

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          (Photo credit: Macao Government Tourist Office)

Geographical position and population

The Macao Region, including the Macao Peninsula, Taipa Island and Coloane Island, is located south of Guangdong Province at the western bank of the Pearl River Estuary. It is contiguous to Gongpei of Zhuhai City, lying close to the South China Sea in the south. It is separated by a river from Wanchai of Zhuhai City in the west and faces Hong Kong in the east by the sea, with a distance of 42 nautical miles. There are passenger services of jet and other steamers between the two places. Its total area covers 23.5 square kilometers. The Macao Peninsular, Taipa Island and Coloane Island are connected by the Friendship Bridge, Macao-Taipa Bridge and a highway. Being subtropical in the typhoon zone, Macao has a warm and humid weather with plenty of rainfall. Macao has a population of 420,000 , of whom 97% are Chinese, 11,000 locally-born Portuguese and over 2,000 Portuguese.

Political structure

The present political structure was formed in accordance with "the Organic Statue of Portugal" promulgated by Portugal in l976. While the governor of Macao has always been appointed by the Portuguese president and Macao's judiciary is governed by Portuguese laws, the Macao regional government enjoys autonomy in the administrative, economic, financial and legislative affairs. Now Macao is gradually moving towards achieving judicial independence. It has set up a high court and except for individual cases, normally final adjudication is made in local courts. The sovereign organs of Portugal are represented in the territory by the governor (According to "the Organic Statue of Portugal", the governor is equivalent to a minister of the Portuguese government).

At present, the Portuguese Macao government consists of the Governor and seven Secretaries (Secretary for Economic Coordination, Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Secretary for Justice, Secretary for Social Affairs and Budget, Secretary for Administration, Education and Youth, Secretary for Public Security and Secretary for Communications, Tourism and Culture). The Constitution of Portugal provides that the Portuguese Macao Government is accountable to the Portuguese President.

The Macao Legislative Assembly comprises 23 members, 8 elected directly, 8 indirectly, 7 appointed by the Governor. Members serve for four years. The present 6th Legislative Assembly was formed in September, l996. Both the Assembly and Governor have legislative powers.

The Macao Consultative Council is a consultative organ for the Governor, who nominates the members. The Council is made up of senior officials of the Portuguese Macao government and celebrities from all circles in Macao.

Economy

Macao is a free port. It used to have such handicraft industries as firecrackers, matches and incense burners for worships, with gambling as the mainstay over many years. From mid-l960's to mid-l980's, with the rapid growth of Macao's economy led by the export-oriented manufacturing industry, a multiple economic structure came into being with the export-oriented manufacturing industry, tourist and casino industry, financial industry, real estate and building industry as the pillar. Beginning from the l990's Macao's economy entered a period of readjustment with its growth rate slowing down. In l998, the annual total volume of output was about 56.2 billion Pat, a drop by 6.3% from 1997. The import and export trade volume totaled 32.7 billion Pat, a drop by 3% from l997. The volume of export was l7.l billion Pat and that of import 15.6 billion Pat, striking a favorable trade balance of l.5 billion Pat. The tourist industry also witnessed a zero growth. A total of 6.95 million people toured Macao, representing a decrease of 0.7% from l997. At the end of l998, bank savings reached 101.001 billion Pat, an increase of 7.2% from l997. Bank loans reached 53.893 billion Pat, a drop by 1.08% from l997. The rate of inflation stood at 0.17%, a drop by 3.33% from l997. The rate of unemployment climbed to 5.4%, an increase of 2.2% from l997.

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The torch relay graphic is one of the key image elements for the torch relay of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The torch relay graphic together with the torch relay symbol, torch relay colours, torch relay fonts,and torch relay slogan, forms the basic image of the torch relay of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. These elements will be applied in the torch relay image & look designs, including the torch relay uniforms, torch relay convoy, torch relay publications and the city landscape design of the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. They will create a unique visual image for the torch relay of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, spread Chinese culture and the torch relay theme, and build an excellent environment for the torch relay. The elements will create a celebrative atmosphere thoughout the cities which the relay will pass, promote the sanctity of the Olympic flame, encourage Torchbearers and Escorts Runners, enhance people's experience of the torch relay, and to provide a visual setting for the recording and broadcasting or the torch relay to the world.


The design concept of the torch relay graphic

Phoenix is the king of birds and belongs to Fire in Five Elements. It is the spirit of fire. The soaring phoenix with graceful bearing and dignified air is the totem of fire. The legend "phoenix nirvana and rebirth out of ash" also symbolizes man's constant striving spirit.

Down the ages, "Loong" (Chinese dragon) and "Phoenix" are the traditional totems embedded with people's blessing and hope.

Phoenix has left a deep imprint in Chinese civilization. The auspice and hope represented by it has always been a part of people's daily life.

Visual creation concept: Passion, Vigor, Culture and Celebration.

In conformity with the concept of "People's Olympics" of the Beijing Games, we aim to express Chinese people's hospitality in inviting the world and blessing the world, to exhibit the vitality and passion of the Olympic Games, and to deliver China's long history and unique culture with modern technique.

According to this design concept, we determined our ultimate goal as under the guidance of the basic values of the Olympic Games, taking the unique culture of the host country and host city as the basis of the visual design, to create a Chinese humanistic style, unique and vigorous core graphic for the Olympic Games.

The torch relay graphic is comprised of the core graphic of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the traditional Chinese phoenix pattern.

The torch relay graphic comprises the lucky cloud pattern exquisitely with the phoenix pattern, achieving the effect of vivid and distant. The modern design deeply expresses the unique integration of hardness and softness, implicitness and elegance in traditional Chinese arts.

The phoenix joins the great Olympiad, bringing the hope of luck and peace to the world, representing the core connotation of the torch relay graphic.


http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/image/corepatterns/

The Logo of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay owes much of its inspiration to the traditional concept of "fire phoenix", and presents the image of two runners holding the Olympic Flame high. As ancient Chinese legend has it, phoenix is the king of all birds, and symbolizes good fortune, eternity, nobility and happiness. The use of the phoenix image in the Torch Relay logo conveys the idea that the Torch Relay will send the best wishes from the Beijing Olympic Games to people all over China and the rest of the world.

http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/image/logo/