Macau

INTRO
Casino Lisboa, Sands Macau, Wynn Macau, Crown Macau, The Venetian Macau, Rio Casino, MGM Grand Macau Surprising as it might seem, these are not names of casinos in Las Vegas or Monte Carlo. The listed casinos are to be found in another mecca for gambling and tourism, the self-styled Las Vegas of the East and Monte Carlo of the Orient: Macau. The former target of pirates is today among the world's top tourism destinations. Moreover, the long and visible colonial history has turned the city into a picturesque mosaic of Portuguese and Chinese pieces. Like the ancient seafarers, just come, explore and discover this Mediterranean bead for yourself!

City Profile
City: Macau
Country: China
Area:28.6 km2
Population: 520.400
Districts: 7
Chief Executive: Edmund Ho Hau-wah
Language: Portuguese, Chinese
Rating:

LOCATION
The Macau Special Administrative Region is a part of the territory of People's Republic of China. It is situated on its southeast coast to the western bank of the Pearl River Delta. The city borders Guandong province and lies 60 km away from Hong Kong and 145 kilometres from Guangzhou. Macau actually consists of both the peninsula and the islands of Taipa and Coloane.

TIME TO VISIT
The climate in Macau is subtropical. It is largely influenced by monsoons so that the temperature differences between summers and winters are insignificant and there is ample rainfall. Four seasons can be distinguished during the year: spring (April-May), summer (May-September), autumn (October-December) and winter (January-March). With an average temperature of 28.6 °C in July, summers are generally hot, humid and rainy. Winters are nevertheless cool and dry as the average temperature in the coldest month, January is 14.5 °C. The best season for visiting Macau is autumn, also in view of the winter solstice in December and some of the local festivals that give a tint of excitement to the atmosphere.

POPULATION
The number of inhabitants of the city is around 520.400. Macau is one of the most densely populated regions with a density of 17,310 people per km2. 95 percent of the population is Chinese and the rest includes residents of Portuguese or Chinese-Portuguese ancestry, Macanese and several thousands Filipino and Thai nationals. Immigrants come from mainland China. The official languages are Chinese (Cantonese) and Portuguese. English, Mandarin and Thai are also spoken together with Patuá, the language of the native Macanese, who have mixed Asian and Portuguese ancestry and account for two percent of the population.

DISTRICTS
Macau was previously divided into two municipalities and seven parishes, but now the municipalities are abolished and the parishes are deprived of administrative functions, having only a formal symbolic status. There is all the same a geographical division into three regions, the peninsula and the two islands. They all have their specific characteristics.

Macau Peninsula provides connection to the Chinese mainland and is located further north. It is densely populated and represents a hub for most tourist activity, gambling, shopping and entertainment.
Taipa is situated to the south of the peninsula. It is reachable via three bridges. Taipa is a major residential area and home to Macau International Airport.
Coloane is the island, lying further south of the peninsula. Despite two beaches, a few hiking trails and a resort, it is not as developed as the other regions. The location of Macau's only golf course on the island makes it a favorite place for golfing.
Cotai is the reclamation land area between Taipa and Coloane, joining them into a single island. It can be regarded as a fourth region. Also referred to as the Cotai Strip, this area is built to resemble the Las Vegas Strip, housing a number of casinos as well as a golf course and other sports facilities.

SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
Ranked among the world's top tourism destinations, Macau is a paradise for tourists regardless of their personal interests. Apart from the commercial attractions, there is an abundance of historical and religious landmarks from the city's rich past. The Historic Centre of Macau, comprising twenty-eight monuments and eight public squares, is officially inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage Site list.

A-Ma Temple is a famous Chinese temple, dedicated to the seafarers' goddess, Matsu. The city's Portuguese name is derived from the name of this temple, which is the oldest of three major temples in the city, lying on the southwest tip of the peninsula. It dates from the late 15th century and is included in the sites designated Historic Centre of Macau. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.macauheritage.net/mherit/indexE.asp
Monte Forte is the historical military centre from the colonial period. It is also part of the Historic Centre of Macau. Constructed by the Jesuits in 1617-26 for protecting their properties, it was later seized by the government. The fort together with the college and church of St. Paul is a part of a historical complex, but is today a public park, offering a spectacular panoramic view of the mainland area. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.cityguide.gov.mo/tg/detail.asp?lc=2&lkey=02040100000000000000&ClassName=fortress
Saint Paul's Cathedral is another landmark enlisted as a World Heritage Site. It was a Portuguese cathedral from the 16th century and now its ruins are of great historic value. At the time when it was initially built by the Jesuits, it represented the largest Catholic church in Asia. It was destroyed by fire in 1835 and what have remained of it today are the intricately carved southern stone façade and the grand staircase. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/discovering/sightseeing_detail.php?catid=38
Sands Macao is claimed to be the largest casino in the world. It is located on the peninsula, making up an area of 229,000 ft2 casino and a 51-suite VIP hotel. Sands Macau contains the record number of 740 table games The Las Vegas Sands Corporation owns and operates the casino, which opened doors in 2004. More info at: http://www.sands.com.mo/
Macau Tower is the world's 10th highest tower that stands free and the 8th tallest in Asia, measuring 338 m in height. Its observation deck offers a breathtaking view of the city. The Convention & Entertainment Centre boasts a variety of facilities including exhibition and conference space, a theatre, a shopping area, several restaurants and adventure facilities. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.macautower.com.mo/eng/main_day.asp

AIRPORT
Tourists can count on Macau International Airport for travelling in the region on direct flights. They can also catch connecting flights from and to different ports of Asia, Europe or America.

Macau International Airport is the only active international airport in Macau, located on Taipa island. A trip with the airport bus AP1 to the Barrier Gate takes 20 minutes and costs MOP3.30. The airport is located only15 minutes away from the Macau Ferry Terminal. Taxies are also available with fares starting at MOP11 and a MOP3 surcharge for each piece of carried luggage. More info at: http://www.macau-airport.gov.mo/en/index.php

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
You can use several efficient methods for travelling within the peninsula and to the islands.

On foot is by far the cheapest way of travelling around the peninsula.
The public bus service is efficient not only in the city but also on the islands. For journeys on the peninsula there is a flat fare of MOP2.50. If costs MOP3.30 if your destination is Taipa and MOP4.00 if it is Coloane island.
Taxis are two kinds: black with cream roof and yellow. The flag fall charge is MOP11.00 for the first 1500 meters. MOP1.00 is added for every 180 meters afterwards. The border is about 10 minutes and MOP30 away from the city centre. There is MOP5.00 surcharge for journeys from Macau to Coloane, but no surcharge from Macau to Taipa island or from the islands to Macau, but a MOP2.00 surcharge applies between Taipa and Coloane.

HISTORY
Historical records of Macau date back to 1152, when the Xiangshan County was established. The city was administered under it, although it remained unpopulated during most of the next century. The first recorded inhabitants of the area were members of the South Song Dynasty and followers, who were seeking refuge from invading Mongols in 1277. However, Macau did not develop as an important settlement before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century. The city had been used as a staging port by Portuguese traders as early as 1516 and became the oldest European colony in the Far East. In 1557 the Portuguese established a permanent settlement and municipal government in Macau but the Chinese did not recognize Portuguese sovereignty. After the Opium War Portugal occupied Taipa and Coloane so that in 1887 the government acknowledged the Portuguese right of "perpetual occupation". The city remained under Portuguese rule until 1999, when it was finally returned to Chinese sovereignty as a Special Administrative Region.

CITY LINKS

Macau News, Internet news media in English: http://www.macaunews.net/
Macau Government Tourist Office: http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/
Macau City Guide: http://www.cityguide.gov.mo/
Useful tips: http://wikitravel.org/en/Macau

UNIVERSITY LINKS

University of Macau, the oldest and most popular university: http://www.umac.mo/
Macau University of Science and Technology, the first university established after 1999: http://www.must.edu.mo/
Macau Inter-University Institute, established in 1996: http://www.iium.edu.mo/