Macau

Macau or Macao is a special administrative region of China. It has the Macau Peninsula, the islands of Taipa and Coloane, the Cotai reclamation zone between Taipa and Coloane, and small islets. It borders Zhuhai to the north and west, and lies west of Hong Kong, separated by the Pearl River estuary. It is the most densely populated region in the world.

Formerly a Portuguese colony, the area of Portuguese Macau was first leased to Portugal by the Ming dynasty as a trading post. Portugal paid rent and administered it under Chinese sovereignty until 1887. Macau is now a special administrative region of China. It keeps its own governing and economic systems under the principle of "one country, two systems".

Macau is famous for its casinos. It is also one of the most visited cities in the world. The gambling industry of Macau is larger than that of Las Vegas, Nevada. Because of this, the city has one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world.

Macau has a very high Human Development Index and has the third-highest life expectancy in the world. The area is highly urbanised and two-thirds of the land is land reclaimed from the sea.

Etymology

Main article: Names of Macau

The name Macau was first written down in 1555. Local people believed the sea goddess Matsu, also called A-Ma, protected their harbor. They named the waters near A-Ma Temple after her. When Portuguese explorers came, the locals told them the place was called Ma Kok. Over time, the name changed to Macau.

The Macau Peninsula had many names in Chinese, like 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

Long ago, the land we now call Macau was part of China. It changed hands between different Chinese areas for many years. In 1513, a Portuguese explorer named Jorge Álvares arrived, starting European contact. Portuguese traders settled in Macau in 1557, paying rent to China for the land.

Macau became an important place for trade between China and Japan, especially for silk. It grew with help from Roman Catholic missionaries and local leaders. Over time, Macau faced challenges like wars and changes in trade rules, but it stayed a key trading spot. In the 1900s, Macau was returned 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 area of China with its own government. It has a leader called the Chief Executive who helps make and enforce laws. There is also a group called the Legislative Assembly that makes the laws and checks on the leader. The courts make sure the laws are fair.

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 located on China's southern coast, about 60 kilometres west of Hong Kong. It is 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 connects Taipa and Coloane.

The Macau Peninsula was once a small island. Over time, it grew through natural changes and land added by people. Today, Macau's land area is three times bigger than it was in the late 1800s. The highest point is Coloane Alto, which is 170.6 metres above sea level. Macau has a humid subtropical climate with warm, wet summers and cooler, drier winters.

Demographics

Macau is very crowded, with many people living in a small area. Most people in Macau are Chinese, coming from places like Guangdong and Fujian. There are also 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, but Mandarin and English are also used.

Economy

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

Macau’s economy is mostly about tourism and gambling. It is well-known for its many casinos, which give most of the money to the government. Most visitors come from mainland China. The economy is strong, with a lot of money made for each person, but some people have much more money than others.

Gambling has been important in Macau since 1962. Today, casinos employ many workers and help pay for things like welfare and money for citizens each year. Even though gambling is still very important, the government wants to add other jobs to the economy, like hotels and services. Luxury hotels like Wynn Palace, The Londoner Grand, and The Venetian Macao are popular places in the city.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Macau

Macau has many roads, with over 400 km of them. Cars drive on the left, a tradition from its history, which is different from nearby China and Portugal. Public buses go many places, and there are free hotel shuttles to help tourists. Taxicabs are easy to find, 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 is busy, handling more than 8 million passengers a year and is the main base for Air Macau. Ferries go to Hong Kong and mainland China, and there is 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 big public hospital, the Hospital Conde S. Januário, and one big private hospital, the Kiang Wu Hospital. Both are on the Macau Peninsula. There is also a university hospital, the Macau University of Science and Technology Hospital, in Cotai. Macau has many health centres that give free basic medical care to residents. People can also visit clinics that use traditional Chinese medicine.

The Fire Services Bureau runs ambulance services in Macau, and the Macau Red Cross 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 groups, giving care, and helping stop diseases. The Macau Centre for Disease Control and Prevention watches hospitals and health centres to make sure they are working well.

Education

Main article: Education in Macau

Education in Macau is different in each school. Some schools use the Chinese, Portuguese, Hong Kong, or British way of teaching. Children must go to school from age five until they finish lower secondary school or turn 15. Many people in Macau finish secondary school, and most adults can read and write.

Most schools in Macau are private. A few are run by the government or the Roman Catholic Diocese of Macau. The government gives 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. This creates 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 are Lisbon from Portugal, Uwajima, Ehime from Japan, and Monte Carlo from Monaco. These partnerships started in 1982.

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