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Macao Map & Location

The Macao Region, including the Macao Peninsula, Taipa Island and Coloane Island, is located south of Guangdong Province at the western bank of the Pearl River Estuary. It is contiguous to Gongpei of Zhuhai City, lying close to the South China Sea in the south. It is separated by a river from Wanchai of Zhuhai City in the west and faces Hong Kong in the east by the sea, with a distance of 42 nautical miles. There are passenger services of jet and other steamers between the two places. The Macao Peninsular, Taipa Island and Coloane Island are connected by the Friendship Bridge, Macao - Taipa Bridge and a highway.

Macau map & Area

Its total area covers 23.5 square kilometers.

Area code: 0853

Macao Climate & Weather

Macao enjoys a subtropic maritime monsoon climate. It has a hot and humid summer, but a delightful winter. The annual mean temperature is 22.3 degrees Celsius. Four - fifths of Macao's annual rainfall falls within the summer rainy season. The annual average preciptation is 2031 mm.

Macao Population

Macao has a population of 420,000, of whom 97% are Chinese, 11,000 locally-born Portuguese and over 2,000 Portuguese.

Macao History

The human history of Macau stretches back up to 6,000 years, and includes many different and diverse civilizations and periods of existence. Evidence of human and culture dating back 4,000 to 6,000 years has been discovered on the Macau Peninsula and dating back 5,000 years on Coloane Island.

During the Qin Dynasty (221 - 206 BC), the region now called Macau came under the jurisdiction of Panyu County, Nanhai Prefecture of the province of Guangdong. It was administratively part of Dongguan Prefecture in the Jin Dynasty (265 - 420 AD), and alternated under the control of Nanhai and Dongguan in later dynasties. In 1152, during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279 AD), it was under the jurisdiction of the new Xiangshan County.

Since the 5th century, merchant ships traveling between Southeast Asia and Guangzhou used the region as a way stop for refuge, fresh water, and food. The first recorded inhabitants of the area are some 50,000 people seeking refuge in Macau from invading Mongols in 1277, during the Southern Song Dynasty. They were able to defend their settlements and establish themselves there. Mong H¨¢ has long been the center of Chinese life in Macau and the site of what may be the region's oldest temple, a shrine devoted to the Buddhist Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy). Later in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 AD), fishermen migrated to Macau from various parts of Guangdong and Fujian provinces and built the A-Ma Temple where they prayed for safety on the sea. The Hoklo Boat people were the first to show interest in Macau as a trading centre for the southern provinces. However, Macau did not develop as a major settlement until the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century.

Macao Economy

Macao is a free port. It used to have such handicraft industries as firecrackers, matches and incense burners for worships, with gambling as the mainstay over many years.

Major Industries Tourism Industry

Tourism is the backbone of Macao's economy and together with the gaming industry contributes 40 percent to Macao's GDP. The gaming industry, a key component of local tourism industry, saw its 40-year monopoly ended. Manufacturing Industry:  Textile and garment sectors are the key components of the local manufacturing industry, which are still adopting labour-intensive mode of production and export-oriented.

What to see & Macau Attractions

The main scenic spots include Pagode Da Barra, S. Paulo Archway, Grand Fort, Pipal Garden. famous Black Sand Beach, Macao Museum, etc.