Macao is located on the south coast of China in Guangdong province, about 65 km west of Hong Kong. Only 29.7 sq. kilometers in size, it’s comprised of the Macao peninsula (connected to mainland China), the islands of Taipa and Coloane, as well as Cotai, the area of reclaimed land between Taipa and Coloane. There are three bridges that join Macao and Taipa.
Macao is truly a city of contrasts, where you can find cobbled streets, ancient churches and pastel-colored Mediterranean architecture alongside mega casinos, high end restaurants and a busy night life scene.
The city definitely has a vibe that is uniquely its own, thanks to the fusion of Chinese and Portuguese cultures over hundreds of years. Until as recently as 1999, Macao was a Portuguese colony and its influence can still be seen in the city’s architecture, food and culture.
Today, Macao is a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and has its own government, police force, currency and passports. The city has a population of about 640,445 people of which 88% are native Chinese.
