Being described as a green desert, indeed Hong Kong is a place of high conservative value.  Out of a total area of just below 1,100 km², about 3/4 of land is countryside.  Within the Territory, about 2,900 plant species and 200 butterfly species, plus over 450 bird species and 100 dragonfly species have been recorded.  In order to protect the habitats of rare and endangered species, about 40 % of Hong Kong land has been designated as country parks (23 up to April 2000), and Sites of Special Scientific Interests (SSSIs) (51 up to Winter 1994).  The most well-know and important SSSI is Mai Po Marshes, feeding more than 320 bird species, 120 of which are rarely seen in the Territory.  Together with the Inner Deep Bay area, the Mai Po Marshes were listed as a "Wetland of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat" under the Ramsar Convention in September 1995.