Introduction
Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 20 December 1999. China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be practiced in Macau, and that Macau will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.
Location
Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Geographic coordinates
22 10 N, 113 33 E
Area - comparative
about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Maritime claims
not specified
Climate
subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers
Environment - current issues
NA
Environment - international agreements
NA
Geography - note
essentially urban; one causeway and two bridges connect the two islands of Coloane and Taipa to the peninsula on mainland
Population
445,286 (July 2004 est.)