Overview
Macao is a Special Administrative Region on the south coast, a former Portuguese colony and the world's most densely populated region, known for its fusion culture and gaming industry.
S.A.R.
Macao
澳门特别行政区 · Capital: 澳门
Map & Prefectures
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Prefecture-level cities
Read articles about Macao →About Macao
Geography
A small peninsula and two islands (Taipa and Coloane) on the Pearl River estuary, connected to the mainland by bridges and a causeway.
History
Settled by the Portuguese in the 1550s and returned to China in 1999, Macao preserves a unique Sino-Latin heritage and was China's gateway to the West for centuries.
Culture
Macao's UNESCO-listed historic center blends Baroque churches, Chinese temples and Mediterranean squares—a living fusion of European and Cantonese traditions.
Cuisine
Macanese cuisine is a unique creole of Portuguese, Chinese, Indian and African influences: African chicken, Portuguese egg tarts (pastéis de nata) and almond cookies.
Highlights
Highlights: the Ruins of St. Paul's, the Senado Square, the A-Ma Temple, and the Cotai Strip resorts.