HISTORY OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT: Central and Western District is the earliest developed area in Hong Kong. On 25 January 1841
British troops landed at possession point in SHeung Wan. Afterwards
they built the Belcher Battery there for defence pupose. They then settled and started developing the northwestern shore of HOng Kong. Many roads and buildings were built OIRGIN OF CENTRAL DISTRICT: Central District was developed by westerners. After 1841
most western panies concentrated on QUeen's Road to the east of Pottinger Street. The buildings in this district were required by law to be in European style. In 1870s
some westerners made their homes in Victoria Peak because it was cooler in summer. Later
a law was passed to restrict the district for westerners only. ORIGIN OF WESTERN DISTRICT On the other hand
Western District appeared because of Chinese traders and civili. Most of them concentrated in SHeung Wan to the west of Pottinger Street. The uphill part of this district was the Chinese residential area known as Tai Ping Shan. Gradually Sheung Wan developed dinto a traditional Chinese residential-cum-mercial district. Later the western area of the SHeung Wan also developed because of the establishment of the brothels in Shek Tong Tsui
which became an infammous red light district. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT In the early years
economic development was mainly in Central and Sheung Wan. The major economic activities were retailing and entrepot trade because of the good natural environment of Victoria Harbour. The wind in these areas was weak
which helped the anchoring of ships. Later Central became the most important mercial area in Hong Kong while Western District became the retail and wholesale centre of dried seafood
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