LANTAO ISLAND

also spelled Lantau, or Lan Tau, island located about 6 miles (10 km) west of Hong Kong Island, part of the New Territories of Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China. About 17 miles (27 km) long and 6 miles (9.5 km) wide, it has an area of 58 square miles (150 square km). Consisting of mountains rising to 3,064 feet (934 m) at Lantau Peak, the island is covered by grass and scrub with pockets of arable land along its coasts. Rice and vegetables are grown. Shek Pik Reservoir in the southwest is a catchment facility; the island has a road system and is linked by ferry with Tuen Mun and Victoria.