吉澳 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The pier of Kat O | |
 Location of Kat O in Hong Kong | |
| Geography | |
| Location | North District |
| Area | 2.35 km2 (0.91 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 122 m (400 ft) |
| Highest point | Kai Kung Leng (雞公嶺) |
| Administration | |
| Kat O | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 吉澳 | ||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | Crooked Island | ||||||||||||
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Kat O (Chinese: 吉澳) also named Crooked Island, is an island in Northeast Hong Kong.
Administratively, Kat O is part of North District. It is a recognized village under the New Territories Small House Policy.[1]
Kat O is located in the west of Mirs Bay.[2] With an area of 2.35 km²,[3] it is the largest island in North District, the second largest being Wong Wan Chau (Double Island).[4] Neighbouring islands include Ap Chau, Ngo Mei Chau (Crescent Island), and Pak Sha Chau (Round Island). The village of Tung O (東澳) is located on its northwest coast.[4] Its highest point is Kai Kung Leng (雞公嶺), which is 122 m above sea level.[2]
O Pui Tong (澳背塘) is a bay surrounded by the crook-shaped Crooked Island and Yeung Chau.[5] O Pui Tong, together with the northwestern waters of Kat O, are two of the 26 designated marine fish culture zones in Hong Kong.[6]
Kat O was once a major fishing market in Hong Kong,[7] and long served as an important stopover for boats travelling between Hong Kong and the rest of China.[8]
During the Ming dynasty, a decree required all inhabitants to leave the island. Then in the 1660s, soon after the end of the dynasty, it was re-settled by Hakka people.[8] Other residents were Tanka fishermen.[7]
The Tin Hau Temple at Kat O is estimated to be built in 1763.[9] It is listed as a Grade III historic building.[10] Part of the temple building was used for the Tat O School until the school was moved to a new location in 1957.[7] A Pak Kung Shrine is also located in the vicinity.[11]
The island is home to three cannons. These are thought to have been made in the west, during the 19th century.[11]
Kat O has been part of the Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park since 1979.[12]
The Kat O Nature Trail is 1 km long, stretching from the Kat O Ferry Pier to Ko Tei Teng (高地頂).[2]
The Kat O Geoheritage Centre (at No. 142 Kat O Main Street) was opened in 2010[13] by Kat O villagers, volunteer groups and the government to raise public awareness of geo-conservation, as part of the Hong Kong Geopark.[14]
