Macau
A special administrative region of China, Macau is located on the country's southern coast. The name Macau comes from the Chinese A-ma-gao, which means “Bay of A-ma.” A-ma is the patron goddess of sailors, and the name refers to Macau's long history as a trading port. For centuries Macau was ruled by Portugal, but in 1999, under a special agreement between Portugal and China, China took control of the territory.
Macau is located on the western side of the Pearl River, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from Hong Kong. It is made up of a small, narrow peninsula and two islands, Taipa and Coloane.
The Barrier Gate links Macau Peninsula to the mainland. It is a popular spot for tourists. The Macau Museum contains collections of Chinese pottery, paintings, and materials from ancient times. The museum is surrounded by gardens. The University of Macau, once called the University of East Asia, opened in the early 1990s.
Most of the people who live in Macau are Chinese. There is also a community of Portuguese. The most commonly spoken languages are Cantonese (a form of Chinese), Portuguese, and English. The religion of most Chinese in Macau is Buddhism, and the Portuguese are mainly Roman Catholic. Chinese culture is reflected in most of the buildings and in customs, but Portuguese influence can also be seen, especially in architecture.
Macau is a free port. This means that ships from anywhere in the world may load and unload their cargo without paying special taxes. Trade is an important part of the economy. Macau buys raw materials from other countries for use in manufacturing. It also buys food and petroleum, which is used to generate electricity. The products that Macau sells to other countries include garments, textiles, yarn, footwear, Chinese wines, electronics, fireworks, and toys.
Tourism and gambling contribute significantly to Macau's economy. Most of the gamblers come from nearby Hong Kong, where gambling is restricted.
Farming is not an important part of the economy. Rice and vegetables are the main crops. Some cattle, buffalo, pigs, and poultry are raised. The Pearl River provides Macau with fish.
People have lived in what is now Macau for at least 4,000 years. Over the centuries the area was controlled by various Chinese dynasties. As early as 1,500 years ago Macau was a stopping point for ships sailing between Southeast Asia and Chinese cities.
The Portuguese first arrived at the mouth of the Pearl River in 1513. From then on Portuguese ships visited regularly. The Portuguese began trade with China in 1553. Four years later they settled in Macau. The city became Portugal's official port for trading with China and Japan. Portuguese missionaries converted many people in the area to Christianity.
China, however, refused to accept Portuguese control over Macau. In the 17th century the Portuguese put a governor in charge of Macau, but his power was always less than that of the Chinese. By the mid–19th century the British colony of Hong Kong had become more important in trading than Macau. Merchants started leaving the region.
In the 1930s and 1940s, during a war between China and Japan and later during World War II, Macau was declared a neutral territory. It became a place where both Chinese and Europeans could escape the fighting. In 1974 Portugal gave Macau more control over its own affairs, and in 1987 it agreed to hand over Macau to China. The transfer of power took place in 1999, making Macau a special administrative region of China. Population (2001 estimate), 445,000.
