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Macau flag

Macau

Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)

Capital:Macau
Population:567,957
Currency:Macanese Pataca (MOP)
Language:Portuguese, Chinese (Cantonese)
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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Macau.

Macau Factsheet

Customs and Culture

Cultural Attributes

Macau's culture is one of the most distinctive in Asia, shaped by over 400 years of Portuguese colonial presence layered atop a deeply rooted Chinese identity. This blend has produced a society that is simultaneously Chinese and Lusophone, reflected in its architecture, cuisine, religion, language, and everyday customs. The official languages are Cantonese and Portuguese, though in practice the vast majority of residents speak Cantonese as their primary tongue. Mandarin has grown in everyday use due to close ties with mainland China, while English is commonly spoken in business and tourism. The co-existence of these languages is visible throughout the city on bilingual street signs and government documents. Religion in Macau is pluralistic. Buddhism and Taoism are practiced by the majority of the Chinese population, while Roman Catholicism carries a significant historical presence owing to Portuguese missionary activity. Temples and churches often stand within short walking distances of each other, and festivals from both traditions are publicly celebrated. The Feast of the Drunken Dragon, the Feast of Nezha, and the Procession of Our Lady of Fátima are among the notable annual events that illustrate this cultural coexistence. Macanese cuisine — known locally as Macanese food — is itself a cultural artifact, blending Portuguese, African, Indian, Malay, and Cantonese culinary influences. Dishes such as African chicken, minchi, and Portuguese egg tarts have evolved into defining elements of local identity. The historic centre of Macau was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, recognizing 30 monuments and public spaces that demonstrate the convergence of Eastern and Western cultures. Structures such as the Ruins of St. Paul's, the A-Ma Temple, and Senado Square reflect this architectural hybridity. Family values rooted in Confucian tradition remain strong, emphasizing respect for elders and communal ties. At the same time, Macau's status as a major gaming and entertainment hub has introduced a cosmopolitan dimension that coexists alongside these traditional values, making its cultural identity both ancient and strikingly modern.

Soccer

Gateway Between East and West

Rice

Holidays

  • National Day

    10/1

    Independence

    Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

Dates of Interest

  • October 1st

    Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

What should I know about food in Macau?

Macanese cuisine is a cultural blend of Portuguese, African, Indian, Malay, and Cantonese influences, and eating local dishes is a great way to experience the culture.

Good to know

  • Try African chicken, minchi, and Portuguese egg tarts, which are defining local dishes
  • Macanese food reflects the city's mixed Portuguese and Chinese heritage

What are family values like in Macau?

Family values rooted in Confucian tradition remain strong, emphasizing respect for elders and communal ties.

Do

  • Show respect for elders

What should I know before visiting Macau?

Macau blends over 400 years of Portuguese colonial presence with a deeply rooted Chinese identity, creating a culture that is both ancient and strikingly modern.

Good to know

  • Cantonese is the primary language, but Portuguese is also official, Mandarin is growing, and English is common in business and tourism
  • Bilingual street signs and government documents are found throughout the city
  • Buddhism, Taoism, and Roman Catholicism all have a presence, with temples and churches often near each other
  • Notable annual events include the Feast of the Drunken Dragon, the Feast of Nezha, and the Procession of Our Lady of Fátima
  • Visit the UNESCO-listed historic centre, including the Ruins of St. Paul's, the A-Ma Temple, and Senado Square

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Macau

Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Currency
pataca (MOP)
Climate
subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers
Airports
1
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History

Historical Eras

  1. Early Chinese Settlement

    1152 – 1557

    Macau was administered under Xiangshan County from 1152, though sparsely inhabited for generations. Refugees of the Southern Song Dynasty arrived in 1277, fleeing Mongol conquest, becoming the first recorded permanent inhabitants. Hoklo Boat people later recognized the area's commercial potential as a trading hub for China's southern provinces, laying the groundwork for Macau's future as a mercantile center.

  2. Portuguese Settlement

    1557 – 1849

    Chinese authorities consented to a permanent Portuguese presence in 1557, though sovereignty remained contested. Portuguese merchants leveraged Macau as the primary entrepôt for China-Japan trade and as a vital waypoint on the Lisbon-to-Nagasaki route. A Portuguese municipal government functioned alongside continued Chinese tax collection, reflecting the territory's ambiguous dual-authority character throughout this period.

  3. Colonial Assertion

    1849 – 1887

    Governor Ferreira do Amaral abolished Chinese customs collection in 1849, unilaterally declaring Macau's independence, provoking Chinese retaliation and his own assassination. Tensions culminated in the Protocol of Lisbon in 1887, by which the Manchu government formally recognized Portuguese perpetual occupation in exchange for a guarantee that Macau would never be ceded to a third party without China's consent.

  4. Late Colonial Period

    1887 – 1966

    Under entrenched Portuguese colonial rule, Macau developed a distinct Luso-Chinese culture while remaining economically overshadowed by Hong Kong. The territory enjoyed an anomalous wartime prosperity during World War II as the sole neutral port in South China, though Japan established a virtual protectorate in 1943. The Communist victory in China in 1949 introduced new ideological pressures, with Beijing branding the 1887 Protocol an invalid unequal treaty.

  5. Decolonization & Transition

    1966 – 1999

    Pro-communist riots in 1966 forced Lisbon into concessions and twice prompted Portugal to offer Macau's return to China, both times rebuffed by Beijing. Following Portugal's 1974 revolution and normalization of Sino-Portuguese relations in 1979, substantive handover negotiations began in 1985, yielding the 1987 Joint Declaration. Macau was formally transferred to the People's Republic as a Special Administrative Region on 20 December 1999.

  6. SAR & Modern Macau

    1999 – present

    Operating under the "one country, two systems" framework guaranteed until 2049, Macau retains its own legal system, currency, and extensive autonomy in all matters except foreign affairs and defense. The liberalization of the gaming industry in the early 2000s, ending Stanley Ho's long-held monopoly, transformed Macau into the world's highest-grossing gambling hub and one of the wealthiest territories per capita globally.

Overview

Chinese records of Macau date back to the establishment in 1152 of Xiangshan County under which Macau was administered, though it remained unpopulated through most of the next century. Members of the South Sung (Song) Dynasty and some 50,000 followers were the first recorded inhabitants of the area, seeking refuge in Macau from invading Mongols in 1277. They were able to defend their settlements and establish themselves there.

The Hoklo Boat people were the first to show commercial interest in Macau as a trading center for the southern provinces. Macau did not develop as a major settlement until the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century. Portuguese traders used Macau as a staging port as early as 1516, making it the oldest European settlement in the Far East. In 1557, the Chinese agreed to a Portuguese settlement in Macau but did not recognize Portuguese sovereignty. Although a Portuguese municipal government was established, the sovereignty question remained unresolved.

Initially, the Portuguese developed Macau’s port as a trading post for China-Japan trade and as a staging port on the long voyage from Lisbon to Nagasaki. When Chinese officials banned direct trade with Japan in 1547, Macau’s Portuguese traders carried goods between the two countries. The first Portuguese governor was appointed to Macau in 1680, but the Chinese continued to assert their authority, collecting land and customs taxes. Portugal continued to pay rent to China until 1849, when the Portuguese abolished the Chinese customs house and declared Macau’s "independence," a year which also saw Chinese retaliation and finally the assassination of Gov. Ferreira do Amaral.

On March 26, 1887, the Manchu government acknowledged the Portuguese right of "perpetual occupation." The Manchu-Portuguese agreement, known as the Protocol of Lisbon, was signed with the condition that Portugal would never surrender Macau to a third party without China’s permission.

Macau enjoyed a brief period of economic prosperity during World War II as the only neutral port in South China, after the Japanese occupied Guangzhou (Canton) and Hong Kong. In 1943, Japan created a virtual protectorate over Macau. Japanese domination ended in August 1945.

When the Chinese communists came to power in 1949, they declared the Protocol of Lisbon to be invalid as an "unequal treaty" imposed by foreigners on China. However, Beijing was not ready to settle the treaty question, requesting maintenance of "the status quo" until a more appropriate time. Beijing took a similar position on treaties relating to the Hong Kong territories.

Riots broke out in 1966 when pro-communist Chinese elements and the Macau police clashed. The Portuguese Government reached an agreement with China to end the flow of refugees from China and to prohibit all communist demonstrations. This move ended the conflict, and relations between the government and the leftist organizations have remained peaceful.

The Portuguese tried once in 1966 after the riots in Macau, and again in 1974, the year of a military revolution in Portugal, to return Macau to Chinese sovereignty. China refused to reclaim Macau however, hoping to settle the question of Hong Kong first.

Portugal and China established diplomatic relations in 1979. A year later, Gen. Melo Egidio became the first Governor of Macau to visit China. The visit underscored both parties’ interest in finding a mutually agreeable solution to Macau’s status. In 1979, Portugal and China agreed to regard Macau as "a Chinese territory under temporary Portuguese administration." Handover negotiations began in 1985, a year after the signing of the Sino-U.K. agreement returning Hong Kong to China in 1997. The result was a 1987 agreement returning Macau to Chinese sovereignty as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on December 20, 1999.

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 1557

    The Portuguese settled in Macao.

    The Portuguese settled in Macao, on the coast of southern China, and established trading factories.

  2. 1966

    Lisbon offered to give the Macao colony back to China.

    Lisbon offered to give the Macao colony back to China.

  3. 1974

    Lisbon removed its troops and again offered to give the colony back to China.

    Lisbon removed its troops and again offered to give the colony back to China.

  4. 1987

    Portugal signed an agreement to return Macau to China in 1999.

    Portugal signed an agreement to return Macau to China in 1999.

  5. 2001

    In Macao the gambling franchise of tycoon Stanley Ho was scheduled to expire.

    In Macao the gambling franchise of tycoon Stanley Ho was scheduled to expire. Half of the government revenue was derived from gambling. American firms soon stepped in to build new facilities.

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Interesting Facts

  • The most famous sight in Macau is probably the ruins of the Church of St Paul's, originally built in 1602 and rebuilt in 1835 after a disastrous typhoon.

  • It is believed that the name ‘Macau’ was derived from the A-Ma Temple, a place of worship that was build in 1448, with Matsu (the goddess of seafarers and fishermen) as its deity.

  • Macau is a highly humid region, with the humidity ranging anywhere between 75% and 90%.

  • The economy of Macau largely depends upon the revenue generated by tourism. Gambling is also a money-generating affair in the region.

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Geography and Environment

Terrain
generally flat
Climate
subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers
Natural Hazards
typhoons
Current Environmental Issues
NA
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Portuguese, Chinese (Cantonese)

  • Cantonese
  • Portuguese

Population

Population
567,957
Nationality Noun
Chinese
Ethnic Groups
Chinese 95%, Macanese (mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry), Portuguese, other

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
Macau
Full Country Name
Macau Special Administrative Region
Local - Long
Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese)
Local - Short
Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)

Government Structure

Government Type
limited democracy
Legal System
based on Portuguese civil law system
Executive Branch
chief of state: President of China XI Jinping (since 14 March 2013) head of government: Chief Executive HO Iat-seng (since 20 December 2019) cabinet: Executive Council consists of government secretaries, legislators, and representatives from business, labor, and community sectors appointed by the Chief Executive elections: chief executive chosen by a 400-member Election Committee for up to two five-year terms; election last held 24 October 2019 (next to be held in 2024) election results: HO Iat-seng elected; received 392 votes out of 400 committee members, running unopposed
Legislative Branch
unicameral Legislative Assembly (29 seats; 12 elected by popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the chief executive; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 25 September 2005 (next in September 2009) election results: percent of vote - Development Union 12.8%, Macau Development Alliance 9%, Macau United Citizens' Association 16%, New Democratic Macau Association 18.2%, others NA; seats by political group - Development Union 2, Macau Development Alliance 1, Macau United Citizens' Association 2, New Democratic Macau Association 2, New Hope 1, United Forces 2, others 2; 10 seats filled by professional and business groups; seven members appointed by chief executive
Judicial Branch
Court of Final Appeal in Macau Special Administrative Region
Suffrage
direct election 18 years of age, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past seven years; indirect election limited to organizations registered as ""corporate voters"" (257 are currently registered) and a 300-member Election Committee d
Constitution
Basic Law, approved in March 1993 by China's National People's Congress, is Macau's ""mini-constitution""
Independence
none (special administrative region of China)
National Holiday
National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

Capital City

Capital Name
Macau

Military

Branches: no regular indigenous military forces

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau

26 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong

Telephone: 852-2841-2211, 852-2841-2225, 852-2841-2323 (Direct lines to American Citizen Services during regular business hours)

Emergency after-hours telephone: 852-2841-9011

Facsimile: 852-2845-4845

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Economy

Macau boasts one of the wealthiest and most open economies in the world, with one of the highest GDP per capita figures globally. Since its reversion to China in 1999, the territory has transformed into a service-based economy dominated overwhelmingly by gaming and tourism, which together account for the majority of government revenue and economic output. The liberalization of the gaming industry in 2002 ended a decades-long monopoly and attracted major foreign operators, propelling Macau past Las Vegas to become the world's largest gambling hub by revenue.

The economy is highly dependent on visitors from mainland China and Hong Kong, who make up the vast majority of arrivals. This concentration leaves Macau vulnerable to shifts in Chinese travel policy, anti-corruption campaigns, and broader economic conditions on the mainland. A crackdown on illicit capital flows beginning in 2014 caused a sharp contraction in gaming revenues, and the COVID-19 pandemic delivered an even more severe blow, with GDP plunging by more than 50% in 2020 as border closures crippled tourism.

Following the lifting of pandemic-era travel restrictions in early 2023, Macau's economy rebounded strongly, with GDP growing by roughly 80% that year, though output remains below pre-pandemic peaks. The government has continued to pursue economic diversification under its long-term development plans, promoting sectors such as financial services, traditional Chinese medicine, conventions and exhibitions, and cultural tourism. The Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, launched in 2021, is central to this diversification strategy, offering Macau businesses expanded space and incentives to develop non-gaming industries. Despite these efforts, gaming continues to dominate, and reducing structural dependence on the casino sector remains the territory's principal long-term economic challenge.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Macanese Pataca (MOP)
GDP — official exchange rate
$10,050,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
2.8%

Banknotes

Macau Money - Front
Macau Money - Front
Macau Money - Back
Macau Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
calendar year
Annual Budget
$3,160,000,000 (USD)
External Debt
$3,100,000,000 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
restaurants and hotels 12%; manufacturing 20%; wholesale and retail trade 15%; public sector 8%; construction 7%; transport and communications 6%; gambling 7%; other services and agriculture 25%
Industries
tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys
Agriculture Products
vegetables, livestock
Export Commodities
clothing, textiles, footwear, cement, machines, and parts
Export Partners
US 48.5%, China 15.5%, Germany 7.4%, Hong Kong 5.8%, UK 5.4%
Import Commodities
clothing, textiles, yarn, foodstuffs, fuel, automobiles, capital goods
Import Partners
China 41.7%, Hong Kong 14.5%, Japan 6.8%, Taiwan 6.6%, South Korea 5%, France 4.3%, US 4.2%

Energy

Oil Production
0 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
12,000 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
0 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
0 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
0 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
0 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
general assessment: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services domestic: termination of monopoly over mobile-cellular telephone services in 2001 spurred sharp increase in subscriptions with mobile-cellular teledensity exceeding 200 per 100 persons; fixed-line subscribership appears to have peaked and is now in decline international: country code - 853; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; HF radiotelephone communication facility; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Internet Country Code
.mo

News & Weather

Current Weather

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Latest News

News via Google News

Climate Overview

subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers

Videos

1 curated YouTube videos.

  • Source: YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Macau?
The population of Macau is approximately 567,957.
What should I know about food in Macau?
Macanese cuisine is a cultural blend of Portuguese, African, Indian, Malay, and Cantonese influences, and eating local dishes is a great way to experience the culture. Try African chicken, minchi, and Portuguese egg tarts, which are defining local dishes Macanese food reflects the city's mixed Portuguese and Chinese heritage
What are family values like in Macau?
Family values rooted in Confucian tradition remain strong, emphasizing respect for elders and communal ties. Do: Show respect for elders
What should I know before visiting Macau?
Macau blends over 400 years of Portuguese colonial presence with a deeply rooted Chinese identity, creating a culture that is both ancient and strikingly modern. Cantonese is the primary language, but Portuguese is also official, Mandarin is growing, and English is common in business and tourism Bilingual street signs and government documents are found throughout the city Buddhism, Taoism, and Roman Catholicism all have a presence, with temples and churches often near each other Notable annual events include the Feast of the Drunken Dragon, the Feast of Nezha, and the Procession of Our Lady of Fátima Visit the UNESCO-listed historic centre, including the Ruins of St. Paul's, the A-Ma Temple, and Senado Square
What is the capital of Macau?
The capital of Macau is Macau city, which also lends its name to the territory as a whole. As a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, Macau operates under its own legal and administrative framework distinct from mainland China. The city serves as the political, cultural, and economic center of the territory, blending centuries of Portuguese colonial heritage with Chinese traditions in its architecture, cuisine, and public life.
Where is Macau located?
Macau is located on the southeastern coast of Asia, on the western side of the Pearl River Delta in the South China Sea. It lies approximately 60 kilometers west of Hong Kong and borders the Chinese mainland province of Guangdong. Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau holds the distinction of being the first European settlement in the Far East, and it was administered by Portugal until its handover to China on 20 December 1999.
What countries border Macau?
Macau shares a land border exclusively with China, specifically with the Guangdong province to the north. The remainder of the territory is surrounded by the South China Sea and the Pearl River estuary. Despite its small geographic footprint, Macau comprises the Macau Peninsula and two islands, Taipa and Coloane, which are now largely connected by land reclamation projects and the Cotai Strip development.
What religion is practiced in Macau?
Buddhism is the most widely practiced religion in Macau, observed by approximately 50% of the population. Roman Catholicism accounts for around 15% of residents, a direct legacy of more than four centuries of Portuguese colonial rule. The remaining 35% identify with no religion or other beliefs. This religious plurality is visible in the territory's landscape, where Buddhist temples such as the historic A-Ma Temple stand alongside Catholic churches and Taoist shrines.
What currency is used in Macau?
The official currency of Macau is the Macanese Pataca, with the ISO code MOP. The Pataca is pegged to the Hong Kong dollar at a fixed rate, and in practice Hong Kong dollars are widely accepted throughout the territory. The currency reflects Macau's hybrid economic identity: while it operates independently from mainland China's renminbi, its economy is deeply integrated with both Hong Kong and greater China.
What languages are spoken in Macau?
Macau has two official languages: Portuguese and Chinese, with Cantonese being the predominant spoken form of Chinese. Portuguese carries historical weight as the language of administration during more than 400 years of colonial rule, and it remains used in government documents and legal proceedings. Cantonese is the everyday language of the vast majority of residents, while Mandarin has grown increasingly common due to closer ties with mainland China and a large influx of mainland visitors and workers.
What is Macau known for?
Macau is internationally known as the gambling capital of Asia, generating gaming revenues that surpass those of Las Vegas and making the industry the dominant pillar of its economy. Beyond the casinos, the territory is celebrated for its unique Macanese cuisine, a fusion of Portuguese and Chinese culinary traditions, and for historic landmarks such as the ruins of the Church of St. Paul's, originally built in 1602. Macau's historic centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, recognizing its exceptional blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultural heritage.

Last reviewed 2026

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