Modern and traditional marvels exist side by side throughout Hong Kong. The busy shopping area of Tsim Sha Tsui boasts shops selling electronic goods alongside traditional noodle and seafood restaurants. The glittering skyscrapers of Hong Kong Central on Hong Kong Island overlook people young and old practicing the ancient art of tai chi chuan in the parks. The construction of the massive new international airport Chek Lap Kok is just off the coast of Lantau Island, where the world's largest seated outdoor Buddha can be found outside Po Lin monastery. Hong Kong is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. A bustling business center, it retains its Chinese character in every corner and section of the city. Its land area, which adjoins the province of Guangdong, is 1078 square kilometers, made up or, Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, including 235 outlying islands. The population is just over six million, of which 95 percent are Chinese. Cantonese is the most widely spoken Chinese dialect, though Mandarin, Shanghainese and other Chinese dialects are also spoken, along with the international commercial language of English. A common sight in Hong Kong is the businessman or woman standing on the street, or hurrying along the footpath, talking into a cell phone or mobile phone. The noise of the traffic and people selling and buying is no barrier to people using these 'street offices.' And in keeping with the territory's constant mix of new and old, the modern cars that flash along the roads, such as the large Mercedes Benz and Rolls Royce limousines, are complemented by the most traditional of trams, and the ferry boats carrying workers to and fro on a 15-minute ride across the harbor. The Star Ferry service has connected Hong Kong Island and Kowloon since 1898, while the electric tram system has been in place since 1904. Even a modern development such as Ocean Park with its massive aquarium on several levels, its performing whales and seals in the giant pool, its hi-tech cable car and 72-meter tall Sky Tower, bows to the traditional foundation Of Hong Kong. In the center of what is southeast Asia's largest leisure complex lies Middle Kingdom, a large area which represents a living history of China through replicas of ancient palaces and pagodas, temple arid street scenes. The author of the passage is impressed by Hong Kong's ______.