Name: Macau (澳門; àomén /aoww-mnn/)
Meaning: 'harbor gate'
Previous name: Cidade do Nome de Deus de Macau (City of the Name of God)
Features
Venetian Resort, Macau- One of the world's top 20 or so tourist destinations
- Some of the ritziest casino resorts in the world
- 25 locations and sites are altogether listed as a UNESCO World Heritage
- A few beaches and parks
- Some Portuguese and European architecture and remains
Main Attractions
- Major casino-resorts: Venetian, City of Dreams and the Bubble, Wynn Macau
- Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral, Guia Fort, A Ma Temple, Coloane Village, Monte Fort, Macau Tower
- Most popular souvenirs and local products: (duty free) investment gold, jewelry, Chinese antiques, Portuguese bottled wine
- Most popular local food: pasteis de nata, pato de cabidela, almond cookies, Portuguese chicken
History
The Golden LotusThe Portuguese trading settlement became the top casino, gambling, and resort city in the world.
- 1557 The Ming Dynasty consented to a permanent Portuguese trading settlement.
- 1849 Portugal declared Macau to be independent of the Qing Empire.
- 1974 Portugal relinquished colonial sovereignty over the territory.
- 1999 The Chinese government assumed sovereignty.
Geography
- Significance of the city: Macau has become the main resort city for East Asia and Chinese people around the world.
- Longevity record: Macau's small population set the world record for average longevity for an independent country/state.
- Nearby cities: Zhuhai (11.8km/37 mi), Hong Kong City (Central District, 64 km/40 mi), Shenzhen (41 km/26 mi), Guangzhou (97 km/60 mi)
- Municipality terrain: a small island, a piece of mainland and some landfill areas. The airport sits on a narrow artificial island. There are some hills.
- Main river: Pearl River
Location Data
Macau is the most densely populated territory or state in the world.
- Territory location: southern China near Hong Kong
- Territory population: 550,000
- Territory area: 29.5 sq km (11.4 sq mi)
- Territory population density: 18,568/sq km (48,000/sq mi)
- North to south width (including sea): 11.5 km (7 mi)
- East to west land width: 3.4 km (2.1 mi)
- City center: Cotai Strip (22.14N, 113.56E)
Climate
- Annual average low temperature in January: 17.7 °C (64 °F)
- Annual average high temperature in July: 31 °C (89 °F)
- Humid subtropical climate; annual precipitation: 2,120 mm (89 in)
Macau's climate is generally mild with high humidity. There are occasional typhoons or tropical storms in the summers and autumns. See Macau Weather.
Economy
- Average annual income: (2008) 464,450 MOP (59,541 USD)
- Development: highly developed; its economy has been the fastest growing in the world, and the per capita annual income is ranked second in the world. There is also a significant clothing and footware industry.
- Industry: at least 93% tertiary industry (gambling, entertainment, tourism, financial services)
- CBD: Wong Chiw (Dynasty Area) (22.19N, 113.55E)
- Shopping Streets: Grand Canal in the Venetian, Avenida Horta de Costa, Avenida do Infante D. Henrique, and Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, Rua dos Negociantes
Transportation
- Macau International Airport handles about 5 million passengers annually.
- 2 main ferry ports
- 3 main bus companies
