Macau Practical Guide Knowledge Data Sheet

Macau is a Special Administrative Region of China, situated on the west bank of the Pearl River Delta, neighbouring Hong Kong and Zhuhai City in Guangdong Province. With an area of approximately 32.9 square kilometres, it is one of the most densely populated regions in the world. Macau comprises three parts: the Macau Peninsula, Taipa Island and Coloane Island, connected by bridges and land reclamation areas.

Geography and Basic Information of Macau

The Macau Special Administrative Region (RAEM) is located on the southern coast of China, facing Hong Kong to the east across the sea (approximately 60 kilometres away), and borders Zhuhai City in Guangdong Province to the north and west, with land border crossings connecting the two areas. Macau has an area of approximately 32.9 square kilometres (including land reclamation) and a population of approximately 670,000 (as of 2023), making it one of the most densely populated regions in the world, with approximately 20,000 people per square kilometre.

Macau's Three Main Geographic Divisions

• Macau Peninsula: The largest area, it is Macau's administrative, commercial and cultural centre, with government offices, World Heritage buildings and traditional commercial areas (Nova City Avenue, Inner Harbour area).
• Taipa Island: Connected to the peninsula via the Friendship Bridge, Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge and Macau Bridge, it houses Macau International Airport, the University of Macau and traditional Portuguese-style buildings in Taipa Village.
• Coloane Island: The southernmost part of Macau with the most tranquil environment, it features Hac Sa Beach, Coloane Village (a traditional Portuguese fishing village) and Coloane Municipal Park.
• Cotai: The reclaimed land between Taipa and Coloane, it is where Macau's major casino resorts are concentrated, with an area of over 5 square kilometres.

Climate and Best Travel Season

Macau has a subtropical monsoon climate with higher temperatures throughout the year. Spring (March to April) is foggy and humid, summer (June to September) is hot and rainy with typhoons, autumn (October to November) is most pleasant, and winter (December to February) is mild and dry, making it the peak travel season. The best travel season is October to January, with temperatures between 15-25 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for outdoor sightseeing.

Major External Transport

• Macau International Airport: Located on Taipa, offering direct flights to multiple Asian cities.
• Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge: Opened in 2018, 55 kilometres long, connecting Macau, Zhuhai and Hong Kong, it is one of the world's longest sea-crossing bridges.
• Ferry Services: Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal and Taipa Ferry Terminal provide ferry services to and from Hong Kong (Sheung Wan, Kowloon) and Shenzhen.
• Border Gate (Zhuhai-Macau Checkpoint): Land border connecting Zhuhai, one of Macau's busiest border crossings, open 24 hours.

Macau Administrative System

Macau returned to China on 20 December 1999, becoming the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. It operates under "one country, two systems", maintaining its capitalist system unchanged and retaining an independent legal system and currency (the Macau pataca) until 2049. The Chief Executive of Macau is elected by the Election Committee, and the Legislative Assembly consists of directly elected and indirectly elected members.

Official Data and Authoritative Sources

• Official Website of the Macau Special Administrative Region Government
• Macau Statistics and Census Service — Population Statistics