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Macau

Macau, or Macao (馬交, Pinyin ma3 jiao1; known locally as 澳門, Pinyin ao4 men2) is a small city-island on the southern coast of China. It is 70 km southwest of Hong Kong and 145 km from Guangzhou. It was the oldest European colony in China, dating back to the 16th century. The Portuguese government transfered sovereignty over Macau to PRC in 1999. It is now run as a special administrative region of PRC. Macanese speak Cantonese natively.

Besides historical colonial relics, the biggest attractions in Macau are the casinos. Though many forms of gambling are legal there, the most popular game is Pai Gow, a game played with Chinese dominoes. Gamblers from Hong Kong often take a one-day excusion to the city. Ferry service between Hong Kong and Macau is available 24 hours a day, every day.

Macau Special Administrative Region

	coat of arms
(In Detail)	(Full size)

National motto: none

Official language

Cantonese and Portuguese

President of the PRC

Chief Executive

Edmund Ho Hau-wah[?]

Area
- Total
- % water

(Not ranked)
25.4 km²
0%

Population
- Total (2002)
- Density

(Not ranked)
461,833
18,182/km²

Establishment
- Date

Handover from Portugal to the People's Republic of China
December 20, 1999

Currency

Pataca[?] (MOP)

Time zone

UTC +8 (AWST)

.MO

853

Table of contents

8 Miscellaneous topics

History

Main article: History of Macau

Politics

Main article: Politics of Macau

Subdivisions

Macau comprises two administrative subdivisions: Macau and the islands (Taipa[?] and Coloane[?]).

Geography

Main article: Geography of Macau

Economy

Main article: Economy of Macau

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Macau

Culture

Main article: Culture of Macau[?]

**Holidays**
Date	English Name	Local Name	Remarks

Miscellaneous topics

Countries of the world | Asia

Macau[?], is also the name of a commune in the Gironde département, in France.

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