Hong Kong is generally presented as an example of a very successful economy and as a possible model for other countries in Asia and in the world. Hong Kong, although part of China, functions as an independent state, with its own laws, currency, sports teams, while today there are border crossings and customs collection with China. Hong Kong is a city, and along with Macau, one of the two main administrative regions of The Republic of China. Located on the south coast of China, Hong Kong is part of the Pearl River Delta, one of China's leading economic regions. It is known for its "residential architecture" and large natural port. With an area of 1104 km2 and seven million inhabitants, is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Hong Kong is one of the leading tigers along with South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. These countries received this epithet due to the high rates of economic growth and extremely rapid industrialization that they achieved between the 1960s and the 1990s. The development of the Asian tiger economy was based, for the most part, on the export of their own goods and products to highly industrialized countries.