Macau/Macao is one of the two Special Administrative Regions of China. Located next to Hong Kong, Macau was under Portuguese rule from 16 century when Portuguese trader first settled in the city until the handover in 1999.
Macau is well known for not only being Asia's largest destination for gambling, but also for its rich history with a mix of Chinese culture and Portuguese heritage. As China's first and last European colony as well as the last in Asia, plenty of tourist attractions in the Historic Centre have been inscribed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Macau is the world's most densely populated region. It was geographically divided into three regions: a peninsula and two islands. However, reclamation between the two islands, Taipa and Coloane, has created a fourth region of Cotai and resulting in one big island with the peninsula.
|
Macau Peninsula |
Coloane, Taipa & Cotai |