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Population (1996) 5,542,869. The island of Hong Kong itself lies off the south-east coast of China adjoining Guangdong province. The nearest point of the mainland, a peninsula with Kowloon at its southern tip, faces Victoria, the capital, on Hong Kong Island, across a superb natural harbour. The territory of Hong Kong, 1,072 sq km comprises the original Hong Kong island and adjacent islands (just under 80 sq km), Kowloon(10.6 sq km), and the New Territories on the mainland north of Kowloon with adjacent islands, (about 980 sq km). The terrain is mostly too hilly to be cultivable, with a sharply indented coastline, and much of the mostly built-up area surrounding the harbour itself consists of land which has been artificially levelled or reclaimed. The highest point is Tai Mo Shun (957 m) in the mountain range between Kowloon and the New Territories. Before 1841 there was no recognised name for the island of Hong Kong. The anchorage at Aberdeen was known to sailors as Heung Kong, whose Chinese characters may be translated as 'Fragrant Streams' or 'Fragrant Harbour'.* First stamps issued 8th December 1862, though their use was not compulsory until 15th October 1864. Hong Kong stamp booklets. Two booklets were issued in 1965.
Front covers. 
 Back covers.
The $2 booklet with orange-brown cover, stitched at left, contained eight 5c and sixteen 10c stamps of the 1962-72 definitives in panes of four. The $5 with yellow-green cover, stitched at left, contained twelve 5c, eight 10c, eight 20c and four 50c stamps in panes of four. The stamps are sideways in relation to the covers and both booklets have interleaving.
A further two booklets were issued on June 12th 1973.
Front covers
 Pane in the $5 booklet. The $2 with buff cover, stitched at left, contained twenty at 10c of the 1973 definitive series in panes of four. The $5 with green cover, stitched at left, contained eight at 10c, four at 15c, eight at 20c and four at 50c of the 1973 definitives in panes of four. In both booklets the stamps are sideways in relation to the covers and both contained interleaving.
*Sources:- The SBS World Guide (5th edition) go to next page.
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