- Population:
- 720,000
- Religion:
- Ethnic Religions
Macao was a Portuguese colony from the 16th century until its handover to China in 1999. It operates under a "one country, two systems" framework, maintaining a high degree of autonomy. Macao is known for its gambling and tourism industries, making it one of the world's wealthiest regions per capita.
Macao, officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is a city and special administrative region on the southern coast of China. It lies across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong to the east and borders Guangdong province to the north. Covering an area of approximately 32.9 square kilometers, it is the most densely populated region in the world, with a population of about 680,000 people as of 2023. The official languages are Chinese (Cantonese) and Portuguese. Macao operates under the one country, two systems principle, maintaining a separate legal and economic system from mainland China. The economy is heavily reliant on tourism and gambling, being one of the world's largest gaming centers. Macao is known for its blend of Portuguese and Chinese cultures, historic architecture, and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region is a member of international organizations such as the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund.