Macao Fast Facts
Fun Fast Facts about Macao
From the ‘Las Vegas of the East’ to the world’s most densely populated region, these are the most interesting facts about Macao.
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Official name: Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR)
Population: 644,426
Area: 28 sq km
Capital city: Macao
Major languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, Tagalog, English
Major religions: Folk, Buddhism, Christianity
Time zone: UTC+8 (Macao Standard Time)
Macao as a SAR of China
Macao is a Special Administrative Region of China since 1999. It was the first and last European colony in mainland Asia. It was first leased to Portugal in 1557 – and became a full colony in 1887.
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Macao’s name is believed to have derived from the A-Ma Temple, which was known locally as “Maa Gok”, which became “Macao” in Portuguese.
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Macao is located on a narrow peninsula of mainland China, and the islands of Taipa and Coloane are joined by a stretch of reclaimed land known as Cotai. With 21,338 people per sq km of land area, it is the world’s most densely populated region.​
Macao is governed by the “one country, two systems” model, in which China allows Macao to have its own government and local currency and control its own legal and financial affairs, including legal gambling.
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It is connected to Hong Kong via the world’s longest sea bridge. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge spans 55km and includes 6.7km of undersea tunnel to allow ships to pass
Macao as Las Vegas of the East
Macao is the only place where casino gambling is legal in China.
Due to its enormous gambling and casino industry, Macao has been called ‘Asia’s Monte Carlo’, the ‘Las Vegas of the East’ and the ‘Vegas of China’.
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Macao tops the leaderboard when it comes to gambling. In 2023, gross gaming revenue (GGR) soared to MOP180 billion ($22.3 billion).
Macao as one of the favourite tourist destinations
The facade of the Church of St Paul (Shutterstock)
The Historic Centre of Macao is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old city center is recognized for its historic streets and a blend of Eastern and Western architecture.
The ruins of the Church of St Paul are one of the most famous sites in Macao. The church was built between 1602 and 1640, but today, only its facade and stairway remain.
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​The oldest lighthouse in China is in Macao. The Guia Lighthouse was built around 1865.
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​The 338m (1,109ft) Macao Tower is home to the world’s highest commercial bungee jump facility at 232m (763ft).
The Guia Lighthouse (Shutterstock)