The Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) is a special administrative region directly under the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China. Located on the western side of the Pearl River Estuary in southern China, it lies at the intersection of the Chinese mainland and the South China Sea, bordering Guangdong Province. It is 60 kilometers from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and 145 kilometers from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. The MSAR consists of the Macao Peninsula, Taipa Island, Coloane Island, and Cotai (the Cotai Reclamation Area), administering seven parishes. By June 2024, its total land area had expanded to 33.3 square kilometers, with a sea area of 85 square kilometers. The official languages are Chinese and Portuguese.
The MSAR is in a subtropical zone with an oceanic monsoon climate. The terrain is generally low-lying, higher in the south and lower in the north; the northern part consists of hills and high uplands, while the southern part is dominated by plains and terraces. On December 20, 1999, China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao, and the Macao Special Administrative Region was formally established. The basic principles governing the relationship between the Central Government and the MSAR are “one country, two systems”, “Macao people administering Macao”, and a high degree of autonomy.
Macao’s economy relies on four pillar industries: export processing, gaming and tourism, financial services, and construction and real estate, with gaming as the leading industry. Legally permitted gaming categories in Macao mainly include casino games of chance, interactive gaming, mutual betting, and lotteries. Casino games of chance form the most important segment of Macao’s gaming industry. By the end of 2022, 30 casino gaming establishments were in operation in Macao, employing a total of 52,174 full-time staff.
With more than 400 years of Sino-Western cultural exchange, Macao has developed a diverse, integrated culture “dominated by Chinese elements and blended with Portuguese characteristics”, alongside numerous heritage sites and scenic spots featuring a fusion of Chinese and Western styles.
Boasting more than 400 years of splendid Sino-Western cultural exchange, Macao enjoys unique appeal. It is home to traditional Chinese residences, ancient temples, Southern European-style buildings, and Baroque churches, all forming distinctive tourist attractions.
In the first half of 2024, total visitor arrivals to Macao reached 16.72 million. By the end of June 2024, 101 hotels were in operation, including 38 five-star hotels. In the first quarter of 2025, visitor arrivals exceeded 9.86 million, a year-on-year increase of 11.1%. March alone recorded over 3.06 million arrivals, up 12.8% year on year.