The information here is extracted from the sources listed below.
FAST FACTS
- Population: 640,000 (approximately 1.8% of Portuguese descent, UNData 2019)
- Capital: No capital. Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
- Area: 29.5 sq km (11.39 sq miles)
- Major language: Chinese, Portuguese
- Major religion: mainly Buddhists and Catholics
- Monetary unit: Macau Pataca
- Main industry: Apparel exports, casino-related tourism
- GNI per capita: USD80,892 (UNData, 2019)
Today Macau is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, and, like Hong Kong, benefits from the principle of "one country, two systems". The tiny SAR is growing in size - with more buildings on reclaimed land - and in the number and diversity of its attractions.
Since its return to China in 1999, Macau has transformed itself from a sleepy little Portuguese colony to a mini Las Vegas. Casinos and tourism are the main money-earning industries, attracting gamblers not only from Hong Kong and China but also from nearby Asian countries.
Although best known for gambling, Macau is extremely rich in attractions and full of atmosphere, thanks to hundreds of years of fusion between Portuguese and Chinese cultures.
Macau is a fascinating place to just walk around as the place is packed with churches, temples, fortresses and other old buildings bearing an interesting mix of Portuguese and Chinese characteristics. Besides buildings, there are also hundreds of narrow alleyways forming a maze in the old part of Macau where the people of Macau carry out businesses and work.
If you can't make it to Portugal, you will be able to enjoy some of the best and most authentic Portuguese food in Asia here.
Please visit our photo gallery for some recent images of Macau. This external site also has a good collection of photos of Macau today.
Sources:
Wikipedia Economy of Macau
Wikipedia Macau
Wikipedia Religion in Macau
Wikitravel Macau