At a glance


Macau is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China. Spreading over an area of 27.3 square kilometer and a population of over 465 thousand, Macau is growing in size. Macau’s economic growth is linked to Hong Kong and benefits from the principle of “one country, two systems”.

Fishermen from Fujian and farmers from Guangdong were the first few settlers in Macau when it was then known as Ou Mun. Later on, when the Portuguese reached Ou Mun, they renamed it A Ma Gao after the Goddess of the Seafarers. The name A Ma Gao then gradually changed to Macau as it is known till today. Soon after the Portuguese settled down, Macau became a place where the East and West cultures collide. The Roman Catholic Churches began sending their missionaries over to spead the teaching of Christ. This is evident as there are so many churches in Macau today.

When the Dutch and British conquered Asia, Portugal’s golden age began to fade. After the Opium War, many merchants left Macau and set up their businesses in Hong Kong. Since then Macau prosper at a leisurely pace and enjoys the multicultural existence of its colonial past.