Fun Easy English - Travel abroad Macau.

OFFICIAL NAME: Macau Special Administrative Region

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION

Macau, formerly a Chinese territory under Portuguese administration, became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on December 20, 1999.

The SAR maintains a high degree of autonomy, except in the areas of defense and foreign policy. Macau retains its own currency, laws, and border controls. Facilities for tourism are well developed. Gambling, tourism, and textile and apparel manufacturing are the largest sectors in Macau's economy. With a population of approximately 508,500, Macau covers a 28.2 square-kilometer area including the peninsula of Macau, connected to the PRC, and the two islands of Taipa and Coloane linked by a highway 2.2 km long.

PEOPLE

Macau's population is 95.7% Chinese, primarily Cantonese and some Hakka, both from nearby Guangdong Province. The remainder are of Portuguese or mixed Chinese-Portuguese ancestry. The official languages are Portuguese and Chinese (Cantonese). English is spoken in tourist areas. Macau has ten higher education institutions, including the University of Macau; 80.7% of the University of Macau's 5,562 students are local and 19.3% from overseas.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

Valid passports are required. Passports should be valid for 30 days beyond the intended period of stay in Macau. Because many neighboring areas require six months validity remaining on the passport, U.S. citizens planning travel beyond Macau should ensure that their passports are valid for at least six months from the date of their proposed entry into such areas. A visa is not required for tourist visits of up to 30 days.
For further information on entry requirements, contact the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Room 110, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington DC 20007; telephone (202) 338-6688; fax (202) 588-9760; e-mail chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn; web site http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/, or the Consulates General of the PRC in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York City and Houston. Travelers may also consult the Macau Tourist Information Bureau's U.S. representative office at 5757 West Century Boulevard, Suite 660, Los Angeles, CA 90045-6407, telephone (310) 568-0009 or fax (310) 338-0708; http://www.macautourism.gov.mo Please see the Macau SAR government home page at http://www.gov.mo/ for the latest, up to date entry and exit requirements.

Holders of a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card or a Hong Kong Re-entry Permit may use either document to enter Macau for a maximum stay of up to one (1) year. All visitors must present their passport or other valid travel document upon arrival. Visit the Embassy of the People's Republic of China web site at http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/ for the most current visa information.

QUICK FACTS

Geography
Area: 28.2 square kilometers total, with 8.9 sq. km. on a peninsula connected to China and the southern islands of Taipa (6.5 sq. km.), Coloane (7.6 sq. km.), and Co Tai (5.2 sq. km., reclaimed land between Taipa and Coloane) linked by bridge and causeway. Terrain: Coastline is flat, inland is hilly and rocky.
Climate: Tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer.

People
Nationality: Noun--Macanese (sing. and pl.).
Population (1st Quarter 2007): 513,427.
Population growth rate (3rd quarter 2006): 5.4%.
Ethnic groups: Chinese 95.7%, Portuguese 1.7%.
Religions: Buddhist 17%, Roman Catholic 7%, Christian 2%.
Languages: In 1992, the government gave the Chinese (Cantonese) language official status and the same legal force as Portuguese, the official language.
Education: Literacy--91.3%.
Work force: Manufacturing--9.0%; construction--11.9%; wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants--23.3%; financial intermediation, real estate, and related business activities--8.4%; public administration, other community, social and personal services, including gaming--27.9%; transport, storage and communications--6.6%.

Government
Type: Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China since December 20, 1999 with its own mini-constitution (the Basic Law).
Branches: Executive--President of the People's Republic of China (head of state), chief executive (head of government), Executive Council (cabinet). Legislative--Legislative Assembly. Judicial--Independent judicial system with a high court (the Court of Final Appeal).

Economy
GDP at 2002 constant prices (2006): $14.3 billion.
GDP real growth rate (2006): 16.6%.
Per capita GDP at 2002 constant prices (1st Quarter 2007): $28,436.
Agriculture: Products--rice and vegetables; most foodstuffs and water are imported.
Industry: Types--tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, toys, footwear, construction, and real estate development.
Trade (2006): Exports--$2.6 billion f.o.b.: textiles and clothing, manufactured goods (especially toys, footwear and machinery & mechanical appliances). Major markets--U.S. 44.1%, Hong Kong 11.2%, China 14.8%, EU 19.5%. Imports--$4.6 billion: consumer goods, foodstuffs, fuels, and raw materials. Major suppliers--China 45.1%, Hong Kong 10.2%, EU 13.1%, U.S. 5.5%, Taiwan 3.2%, Japan 8.3%.

USEFUL LINKS

U.S. Government