Boost your knowledge of Asia by learning these fun facts about Macau and improve your chances at the next pub quiz!
1. Where is Macau?
Macau is a small peninsula in mainland China, located in Eastern Asia.
2. It’s a highly unique territory.
Unusually, this country is 100% urbanized as it consists solely of a single city.
3. It’s changed hands a few times.
Macau actually became a Portuguese colony in 1557, before becoming a Portuguese overseas province until 1999 when it was transferred back to China.
4. It has links to China.
It is bordered by China to the north and west. It also has a coastline along the South China Sea to the east, south, and west.
5. Traveling by boat or plane?
For wild nights that turn into relaxing days, head for the coordinates of 22.1667° N, 113.5500° E for a wonderful adventure in this vibrant city!
6. There aren’t many ups and downs here.
The terrain of this tiny peninsula is generally flat.
7. It’s impressively small.
The total land area of Macau is 10.9 square miles (28.2 square kilometres)…that’s around half the size of the city of Exeter in Devon, England.
8. But, it’s seriously packed!
Macau’s population was 695,168 in 2022…that’s more than 5 times the population of Exeter, Devon!
That makes it the most densely populated country in the world with an incredible 63,776 people per square mile!
9. Macau people identify with China.
As a peninsula of China, residents here are known as Chinese.
10. What’s the capital of Macau?
As a city itself, Macau has no capital.
11. The weather out here is fantastic!
Macau experiences a subtropical climate with cool winters and warm summers.
12. Keep building those rooms!
Due to the booming tourism industry, hotel rooms were apparently being built at a rate of 16.4 per day until 2009!
13. The languages spoken here are interesting, too!
The official languages of Macau are Chinese and Portuguese.
14. Here’s what you can spend.
Macanese Pataca is the official currency here.
15. Life out here goes on…. And on…
The average life span in this busy city is 84.24 years (2019)…that’s the 4th longest in the world!
16. Gambling in China’s illegal, but in Macau….
Macau is the only place in China where gambling is legal!
17. Here’s some industry facts about Macau.
As a country, Macau grows vegetables and catches fish.
Its industry consists of tourism, gambling, electronics, toys, footwear, textiles and clothing.
Macau exports clothing, footwear, textiles, electronics, toys, machinery and machinery parts.
FAQs about Macau
Is Macau a poor country?
Weirdly, Macau has no ‘official’ poverty line. It’s extremely small - and it’s not possible to tell where poverty starts and ends here.
Is Macau safe to visit?
On the whole, yes. Risk to traveling visitors is pretty low - though be careful with petty crime.
Do people speak English in Macau?
While English is not an official language of Macau, it’s widely spoken as a result of tourism.
Do you know any interesting facts about Macau? Share them in the comments below!