History Portuguese galleons first visited Macau to trade in the early 16th century and in 1557, as a reward for clearing out pirates endemic to the area, they were allowed to establish a tiny enclave here. As trade with China grew so did Macau, which became the principal meeting point between China and the West. As a survey of Macau's 450 years of history and society, this book offers some fascinating analysis of controversial topics such as sovereignty, democratization, the clash of civilizations, the gaming industry, current social problems, and a Macauan identity.
- Macau History Timeline
- Macau China
- Macau History And Society Pdf
- Macau History And Society
- Macau History And Culture
Macau is a Special Administrative Region of China with an area of 115.4 sq. km. As observed on the physical map of Maco, the region comprises of a peninsula attached to mainland Asia and the islands of Coloane and Taipa in the South China Sea.
Macao was formerly an island itself but was gradually connected to mainland by a growing sandbar. In more recent times, land reclamation has converted it into a peninsula. Constant land reclamation in the region has helped increase the area of Macau over the years.
The Macau Peninsula is mostly flat, but there are a few elevated spots.
Some steep, rolling hills are located on the island of Coloane, and along the southern coastline of the island of Taipa.
The highest point is Coloane Alto at 567 ft. (173 m). It has been marked on the map by a yellow upright trianble.
Macau History Timeline
There are no major rivers or lakes in Macau.
Parishes of Macao Map
Macau is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China. It has seven parishes for symbolic reasons only. These are: Nossa Senhora de Fátima, Santo António, São Lázaro, Sé, São Lourenço, Nossa Senhora do Carmo, and São Francisco Xavier.
The Aterror de Cotai is a special territory of Macao that is not part of any of the parishes.
Macau China
Where is Macao?
Macao, formally known as the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is the world's most densely populated region. It is located on the western Pearl River Delta along the coast of the South China Sea in Southeast Asia. Hong Kong is located to the east of Macao. The South China Sea bounds it to the south and east while the Zhuhai city of Guandong, China, borders Macao to the north and west.
Regional Maps: Map of Asia
Outline Map of Macao
Key Facts
| Legal Name | Macau Special Administrative Region |
|---|---|
| Flag | |
| Total Area | 28.00 km2 |
| Land Area | 28.00 km2 |
| Water Area | N/A |
| Population | 640,445 |
| Largest City | Macao (651,875) |
| Currency | Patacas (MOP) |
| GDP | $53.86 Billion |
| GDP Per Capita | $84,096.40 |
This page was last updated on February 24, 2021
Macau has an interesting history as a trading post, with its colonial legacy still influencing its culture and cuisine today. The gambling industry has brought affluence to the area and the new international casinos have given Macau an upgraded look and feel.
History
The first settlers of Macau are believed to have been fishermen from mainland China from the Fujian province. Macau was originally known as Ou Mon and was an important trading post on the Silk Road. The Portuguese first came to the area and southern China in 1513, after trading with Goa and Malacca. By 1535, the Portuguese were allowed to anchor ships and build warehouses in Macau. In 1557, Macau came under Portuguese rule, when they obtained a lease from Beijing. The name Macau was used by the Portuguese, derived from what locals called the area 'Ma Gao,' translated to a 'place of A Ma,' the goddess of sailors.
Macau continued to grow until the decline of the Portuguese power. In 1862, Macau was officially recognized at a Portuguese colony. The area played an important role in WWII as a neutral port and the economy flourished during this time. Japan controlled Macau for a short period in 1945.
When the Communists came to power in China in 1949, they officially declared the Protocol of Lisbon which established Macau as a Portuguese colony null and void. A similar stance was taken with Hong Kong, but neither action prompted any change in status. In fact, Macau remained a Portuguese colony until 1999, the last remaining European colony in Asia. Macau then became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. Even today, there are still remnants of the Portuguese legacy in Macau, such as the façade of St Paul's Cathedral and Luis de Camoes Park.
Macau History And Society Pdf
Macau's gambling history dates back to 1850, when the government legalized it. The casinos are the biggest source of income for Macau, representing roughly 50 percent of the economy. Initially, it was only Chinese games that were played, but as large international casinos opened up so did the breadth and variety of offerings. Today, Macau boasts 33 casinos, most of which operate on a 24-hour basis.
Macau History And Society
Culture
Macau History And Culture
Macau's culture is a blend of Portuguese and Chinese. Although Chinese make up 95 percent of the population, the colonial influences still remain. In particular, there is a minority group of 'Macanese,' people that are part Portuguese and part Chinese that have created their own unique identity especially evident in the blended cuisine. The main religion in Macau is Buddhism, which is a direct result of the Chinese being the largest ethnic group. The next largest faith is Roman Catholic.
