Macau

Macau, China

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

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Macau is a special administrative region of China, located on the southern coast at the mouth of the Pearl River estuary. It consists of a peninsula and the islands of Taipa and Coloane, which are connected by reclaimed land. The climate is subtropical, with hot, humid summers and mild winters.1

The population is predominantly ethnic Chinese, with Cantonese being the main spoken language. Both Chinese and Portuguese are official languages. Macau is one of the most densely populated places globally, with its entire population classified as urban.1

Economically, Macau is a free port dominated by the service sector, with tourism and gambling being its most significant industries. Historically, it was a Portuguese trading post from the 16th century until its return to Chinese sovereignty in 1999, operating under a "one country, two systems" policy that grants it significant autonomy.1

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Macau
…hillside is the city of Macau, which occupies almost the entire peninsula. The name Macau, or Macao (Pinyin: Aomen; Wade-Giles romanization: Ao-men), is derived from the Chinese Ama-gao, or “Bay of Ama,” for Ama, the patron goddess of sailors.
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…hillside is the city of Macau, which occupies almost the entire peninsula. The name Macau, or Macao (Pinyin: Aomen; Wade-Giles romanization: Ao-men), is derived from the Chinese Ama-gao, or “Bay of Ama,” for Ama, the patron goddess of sailors.
Read More

decolonization
…African colonies in the 1970s; Macau was returned to the Chinese in 1999.
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…African colonies in the 1970s; Macau was returned to the Chinese in 1999.
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