Macau

Macau or Macao is a special administrative region of China. It consists of the Macau Peninsula, the islands of Taipa and Coloane, the Cotai reclamation zone between Taipa and Coloane, and several smaller islets. It borders Zhuhai to the north and west, and it lies west of Hong Kong, separated by the Pearl River estuary. With a population of about 720,000 people and a land area of 32.9 square kilometres (12.7 sq mi), it is the most densely populated region in the world.

Formerly a Portuguese colony, the territory of Portuguese Macau was first leased to Portugal by the Ming dynasty as a trading post in 1557. Portugal paid an annual rent and administered the territory under Chinese sovereignty until 1887, when Portugal gained perpetual colonial rights with the signing of the Sino-Portuguese Treaty of Peking. The colony remained under Portuguese rule until the 1999 handover to China. Macau is a special administrative region of China, which maintains separate governing and economic systems from those of mainland China under the principle of "one country, two systems".

Macau is famous and globally recognised for its casinos, known by the gambling industry as the gambling capital of the world. It is also one of the most visited cities in the world. The gambling industry of Macau is around seven times larger than that of Las Vegas, Nevada. As a result, the city has one of the highest GDPs per capita and GDPs per capita by purchasing power parity in the world.

Macau has a very high Human Development Index of 0.934, as calculated by the Government of Macau, and has the third-highest life expectancy in the world. The territory is highly urbanised, holding the status of the most densely populated territory on Earth; two-thirds of the region's total area is built on land reclaimed from the sea.

Etymology

Main article: Names of Macau

The name Macau was first recorded in a letter from 1555. Local people believed the sea goddess Matsu, also called A-Ma, protected their harbor. They referred to the waters near A-Ma Temple by her name. When Portuguese explorers arrived and asked the name of the place, locals told them it was Ma Kok. Over time, the name changed to Macau.

The Macau Peninsula had many different names in Chinese, such as Jing'ao and Haojing. The islands Taipa, Coloane, and Hengqin were called Shizimen. Today, the whole area is known as Oumún, meaning 'bay gate' or 'port gate'.

History

Main article: History of Macau

During ancient times, the area now known as Macau was part of China, changing hands between different Chinese regions over many centuries. In 1513, a Portuguese explorer named Jorge Álvares arrived, marking the beginning of European contact. Portuguese traders settled in Macau in 1557, paying rent to China for the land.

Macau became an important trading spot, linking China and Japan, especially for silk trade. It grew with the help of Roman Catholic missionaries and local leaders. Over time, Macau faced challenges, such as wars and changes in trade rules, but it remained a key location for trade. In the 1900s, Macau was handed back to China in 1999, but it keeps its own way of governing and economy for 50 years after that.

Government and politics

Main articles: Government of Macau, Politics of Macau, and Elections in Macau

Macau is a special administrative region of China with its own government. It has its own leader called the Chief Executive, who helps make and enforce laws. There is also a group of people called the Legislative Assembly that makes the laws and checks on the leader. The courts make sure the laws are fair and follow the rules set by Macau's Basic Law.

Macau's government works in a way that is similar to Hong Kong. The Chief Executive is chosen by a group of leaders and then approved by a higher group in China. People in Macau help choose some members of the Legislative Assembly by voting. Macau has its own courts and laws, which are based on old Portuguese ways, but China still has some control over important decisions.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Macau

Macau is found on China's southern coast, about 60 kilometres west of Hong Kong. It sits on the south shore of Zhongshan Island near the Pearl River estuary. Macau is surrounded by the South China Sea and borders the city of Zhuhai to the north and west. The area includes the Macau Peninsula, the islands of Taipa and Coloane, and a man-made land area called Cotai that links Taipa and Coloane.

Originally just a small island, the Macau Peninsula grew through natural processes and man-made land reclamation. Today, Macau's land area has tripled since the late 1800s. The highest point is Coloane Alto, which stands 170.6 metres above sea level. Macau experiences a humid subtropical climate with warm, wet summers and cooler, drier winters.

Demographics

Macau is very crowded, with over 600,000 people living in a small area. Most people in Macau are Chinese, coming from places like Guangdong and Fujian. There are also many people from Filipinos, Vietnamese, and Portuguese backgrounds.

People in Macau live long lives, and many follow Buddhism or Christianity. Cantonese is the main language spoken, though Mandarin and English are also used.

Economy

Main articles: Economy of Macau, Tourism in Macau, and Gambling in Macau

Macau’s economy is mainly based on tourism and gambling. It is famous for its many casinos, which bring in most of the money for the government. People from mainland China make up the majority of visitors. The economy is strong, with a high amount of money made for each person, but there are also big differences in wealth among people.

Gambling has been a big part of Macau’s economy since 1962. Today, casinos employ many workers and help pay for things like welfare and money given to citizens each year. While gambling is still very important, the government is trying to add other types of work to the economy, such as hotels and services. Luxury hotels like Wynn Palace, The Londoner Grand, and The Venetian Macao are popular spots in the city.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Macau

Macau has an extensive road system with over 400 km of roads. Cars drive on the left, a tradition from its history with the British Empire, which is different from nearby China and Portugal. Public buses cover many routes, and there are also free hotel shuttles to help tourists get around. Taxicabs are common, with about 1,500 available.

The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge opened in 2018, linking Macau to the other side of the Pearl River estuary. Macau International Airport handles more than 8 million passengers a year and serves as the main base for Air Macau. Ferries travel to Hong Kong and mainland China, and there is also a daily helicopter service. Macau’s first rail system, the Macau Light Rapid Transit, started in December 2019, connecting Taipa and Cotai with 11 stations.

Healthcare

See also: Healthcare in Macau and List of hospitals in Macau

Macau has one major public hospital, the Hospital Conde S. Januário, and one major private hospital, the Kiang Wu Hospital, both located on the Macau Peninsula. There is also a university hospital called the Macau University of Science and Technology Hospital in Cotai. In addition to these hospitals, Macau has many health centres that provide free basic medical care to residents. People can also choose to visit clinics that practice traditional Chinese medicine.

The Fire Services Bureau manages ambulance services in Macau, and the Macau Red Cross also helps with emergencies using vans like the Toyota HiAce. The Health Bureau works to keep people healthy by organizing services between public and private health organizations, providing care, and helping prevent diseases. The Macau Centre for Disease Control and Prevention monitors hospitals and health centres to ensure they are working well.

Education

Main article: Education in Macau

Education in Macau varies between schools, with some following Chinese, Portuguese, Hong Kong, or British systems. Children must go to school from age five until they finish lower secondary school or turn 15. Many people in Macau have completed secondary education, and most adults can read and write.

Most schools in Macau are private, with a few run by the government or the Roman Catholic Diocese of Macau. The government offers free education for 15 years to students in public schools and helps with costs for private school students. Macau has several universities and colleges, including the University of Macau and the University of Saint Joseph.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Macau

Macau has a special mix of Chinese and Portuguese traditions, creating unique holidays and festivals. The biggest event is the Macau Grand Prix each November, where city streets become a racetrack. Other yearly celebrations include the Macau Arts Festival in March, the International Fireworks Display Contest in September, and the Macau International Marathon in December. The Lunar Chinese New Year is the most important festival, usually in late January or early February.

Macau has many historic buildings and places. In 2005, its historic center was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The area includes important temples and old buildings that show Macau's rich history. The city's food also reflects its mixed culture, with dishes that combine Cantonese and Portuguese styles. Popular foods include pastel de nata, pork chop buns, and almond biscuits.

Cuisine

Main article: Macanese cuisine

Macau's food blends Cantonese and Portuguese styles, with influences from Indian and Malay dishes. Local ingredients like fresh seafood, turmeric, coconut milk, and adzuki beans are used in many recipes. Popular dishes include pastel de nata, pork chop buns, and almond biscuits. Cha chaan teng, a type of casual diner from Hong Kong, is also common in Macau.

Sports

Main article: Sport in Macau

Macau hosts many sports events, including the 2005 East Asian Games, the 2006 Lusophony Games, and the 2007 Asian Indoor Games. The Macau Grand Prix is a major racing event held each year on city streets. It features Formula Three, touring car, and motorcycle races. Macau has its own sports teams and National Olympic Committee but does not compete in the Olympic Games.

Twin towns and sister cities

Macau has many sister cities and cultural partners around the world. Some of its sister cities include Lisbon from Portugal, Uwajima, Ehime from Japan, and Monte Carlo from Monaco. These partnerships began in different years, starting from 1982.

Macau is also part of a group called the Union of Luso-Afro-Americo-Asiatic Capital Cities. This includes cities such as Bissau from Guinea-Bissau, Dili from East Timor, and Luanda from Angola, among others. These connections help Macau build friendly relationships with cities worldwide.