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Hengqin

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Hengqin is a large island located in the city of Zhuhai. This city is a special economic zone in Guangdong Province, China.

Zhuhai Hengqin Island administrative division
Zhuhai Hengqin Island administrative division

The island is the largest among the 146 islands that make up Zhuhai. In fact, it is roughly three times the size of Macau. Currently, the island has a population of about 3,000 people. It is part of a special area called the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. This zone is a special economic district designed for development.

The geography of the island is quite diverse and interesting. It features broad bays and many sandy beaches. You can also find strangely shaped, jagged rocks along the coast. Much of the island is covered in natural vegetation.

Zhuhai Hengqin Island administrative division
Zhuhai Hengqin Island administrative division

Originally, the area consisted of two separate islands. These were named Small Hengqin and Great Hengqin. Through land reclamation, these two islands were recently connected into one. This process of land reclamation created a new reclaimed island area. The total area of this reclaimed land is 34 square kilometers.

Hengqin sits in a very important location near other major areas. It is adjacent to the Taipa and Coloane districts of Macau. The Shisanmen Waterway separates Hengqin from these Macau districts. The island is also connected to the Cotai area of Macau via the Lotus Bridge. To the north, the island borders Zhuhai Shizimen. To the west, it is bordered by Jinwan. This position makes it a key link between different regions.

The history of the island involves many different claims and changes. Portugal once claimed both Small Hengqin and Great Hengqin. They also claimed the Wanzai peninsula to the north. They did this because Portuguese schools were established in that area. In 1896, the Portuguese tried to occupy the two islands. They did not succeed during that specific attempt. However, Portugal did briefly occupy the islands before World War II. Today, the island's status is defined by cooperation between different governments.

One major development is the lease of land to Macau. The State Council of the People's Republic of China began leasing parts of Hengqin to Macau in 2009. This happened because Macau has very limited land for new growth. One major project is the new campus for the University of Macau. This campus sits on 1 square kilometer of the island. It is located in a stretch facing the Cotai area. The construction of this campus included an underwater tunnel. In these leased parts, Macanese law applies instead of mainland law.

Zhuhai Hengqin Island administrative division
Zhuhai Hengqin Island administrative division

Tourism and large-scale investment are also central to the island's future. Authorities want to create a destination for Asia that combines gaming with leisure. In 2010, construction began on the Chime-Long International Ocean Resort. This project involved an initial investment of 10 billion yuan. The Chimelong Ocean Kingdom opened in 2014. It includes amusement rides, performances, and animal watching. It even has a dolphin-themed hotel with 1,888 guest rooms. In 2017, it was ranked as the 11th most visited theme park in the world.

Other facilities on the island support different types of activities. The Hengqin International Tennis Center opened in September 2015. Until 2023, it hosted three international competitions. These included the WTA Elite Trophy and the Zhuhai Open.

Zhuhai Hengqin Island administrative division
Zhuhai Hengqin Island administrative division

Additionally, companies like Las Vegas Sands have discussed large resort plans. These plans included convention spaces, hotels, and golf amenities. SJM Resorts also planned a luxury boutique hotel. The island is divided into six subdistricts to manage this growth. These zones include areas for exhibitions, residential use, and tourism.

Zhuhai Hengqin Island administrative division
Zhuhai Hengqin Island administrative division
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File:Zhuhai Hengqin Island administrative division.png
Zhuhai Hengqin Island administrative division.png
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