A Brief Description

Macau (or Macao), about 60 km directly west of Hong Kong, consists of the Macau Peninsula (attached to mainland China) and the small islands of Taipa and Coloane; all connected by bridge or causeway.

Once a simple fishing village on the southeastern China coastline, it was colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, and became the first European settlement in the Far East.

Because of its geographic position and excellent inland port, it quickly became a vital base for regional merchants, and for international commerce between China and the western world.

In December of 1999, Portugal (via a long-standing agreement) officially returned control of Macau to China, and it became a Special Administrative Region (or SAR) of China.

In the exchange, China agreed that until 2037, Macau (as is), will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters, except foreign and defense.

In the middle of its skyscrapers and modern facade sits the Historic Center of Macau, a "World Heritage Site," that includes several fortresses, an ancient palace, historic buildings and churches, monuments and friendly urban squares.

Combine all of that with a wide variety of nitelife options, restaurants and casinos, and you've got a major tourist attraction that's growing in popularity,

Learn more about Macau
here

Facts and Figures

arrow Name Macau

(long form) Macau SAR

arrow Population 450,000

arrow Population & Density (all countries)
here

arrow Capital City None, as Macau is a Special Administrative "Region" of China

arrow Currency Pataca (MOP)

arrow Currency Converter here

arrow Languages Cantonese (88%), Hokkien, others

arrow Flag here

arrow National Day October 1

arrow Religions Buddhist (50%), Catholic (15%), others

In Affiliation with AllPosters.com
Bridge from Macau to Mainland China
Travel the World through Poster Art!


Geographic Coordinates

arrow Latitude/Longitude (Macau)
22ş 12' N, 113ş 33' E

arrow Relative Location Macau is located in both the eastern and northern
hemispheres. It's positioned in Asia, along the southeast coast of mainland China in the Guangdong Province. It's bordered by the South China Sea, and of course, the country of China.

Land Statistics

arrow Coastline 25 miles (41 km)

arrow Land Areas

(land) 9.8 sq miles (25.4 sq km)

(water) 0 sq miles (0 sq km)

(TOTAL) 9.8 sq miles (25.4 sq km)

arrow Land Area (all countries) here

arrow Landforms The Macau Peninsula, gradually formed by the Pearl River and West River estuaries, and by land reclamation, is mostly flat land, but there are a few elevated spots.

Some steep, rolling hills are located on the island of Coloane, and along the southern coastline of the island of Taipa.

arrow Highest Point Coloane Alto - 567 ft. (173 m)

arrow Lowest Point South China Sea - 0 ft. (0 m)

arrow Land Divisions None
In Affiliation with AllPosters.com
Dragon dance on a street in Macau
Maps

arrow Macau (large color) Map
here

arrow Macau Outline Map here

arrow Macau CIA version here

arrow Macau Maps at UT here

arrow China (large color) Map here

arrow China Outline Map here

arrow China CIA version here

arrow China Maps at UT here

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arrow Asia Continent (printable) here

arrow Asia Outline Map here

arrow Asia (Southeast) Outline Map here

arrow Asia (Name the Country) Map Test here

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arrow Indian Subcontinent Map here

arrow Middle East Landforms here

arrow Middle East Map here

arrow Middle East Outline Map here

arrow Middle East Rivers here

arrow Tsunami Map (December 2004) here

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arrow World Outline Maps (printable) here

arrow World Time Zone Map here

Recommended Links

arrow Macau (Complete) info on the (GDP) economy, imports and exports, natural resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more
here!

arrow Macau Photos here

arrow Macau Tourism here

arrow Macau Tourist Guide here

arrow Macau Virtual Tour here

arrow Macau to Hong Kong Ferry Service here

arrow Inside China (news) here

arrow China the Beautiful here

arrow China Photos at TrekEarth.com here

arrow China Tour here

arrow Travel China here


Time and Weather

arrow Time Zone (UTC +8) Note that UTC is also known as GMT, or Greenwich Mean Time. Conversion details and additional info
here

arrow Climate Macau weather in spring and summer (May through September) brings hot and humid days, with some rain.

Fall conditions are considered ideal as the weather is usually warm and sunny.

Winters are milder, but cooler and cloudy; drizzly days are commonplace.

Click for Forecast

Traveler Info

arrow Attractions The collective uniqueness of Macau is its major asset, as its Portuguese and Chinese cultures, the (old) boat-building yards, mansions and temples, and the (modern) beach resorts, casinos and restaurants blend together to offer a wide variety of interesting things to see and do for any traveler.

Major attractions include the Ruins of St. Paul's and the St. Paul's Museum; Monte Fort; the Cybernetic Fountain and its 292 water jets; A-Ma Temple; Kun lam Temple; Lin Fung Temple; Camoes Garden and Grotto, and the historic city center - to name but a few.

arrow Dialing Code 86, +853

arrow Electricity Macau uses 220 volts AC (50 Hz)

Electrical adapters, products and tips
here

arrow Travel Warnings here

arrow Visa Information here

 The following notes are available for your viewing pleasure!

FRONT

BACK

Banco Nacional Ultramarino

P-3, 10 Patacas, 1941
Scan donated by Ediz Ünlü
P-3, 10 Patacas, 1941
Scan donated by Ediz Ünlü
P-3, 10 Patacas, 1907 to 1941
Scan donated by EcPapermoney
P-3, 10 Patacas, 1907 to 1941
Scan donated by EcPapermoney
P-21, 50 Avos, (1944) P-21, 50 Avos, (1944)
P-28, 1 Pataca, 1945
Scan donated by Peter Rader
P-28, 1 Pataca, 1945
Scan donated by Peter Rader
P-49, 5 Patacas, 1968 P-49, 5 Patacas, 1968
P-50, 10 Patacas, 1963 P-50, 10 Patacas, 1963
P-54, 5 Patacas, 1976 P-54, 5 Patacas, 1976
P-55a, 10 Patacas, 1977
Scan donated by Spartan
P-55a, 10 Patacas, 1977
Scan donated by Spartan
P-56a, 50 Patacas, 1976
Scan donated by Spartan
P-56a, 50 Patacas, 1976
Scan donated by Spartan
P-58b, 5 Patacas, 1981 P-58b, 5 Patacas, 1981
P-58b, 5 Patacas, 1981
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-58b, 5 Patacas, 1981
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-58b, 5 Patacas, 1981
Scan donated by Régis Giampersa
P-58b, 5 Patacas, 1981
Scan donated by Régis Giampersa
P-59b, 10 Patacas, 1984
Scan donated by Régis Giampersa
P-59b, 10 Patacas, 1984
Scan donated by Régis Giampersa
P-59d, 10 Patacas, 1984
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-59d, 10 Patacas, 1984
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-60a, 50 Patacas, 1981
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-60a, 50 Patacas, 1981
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-60b, 50 Patacas, 1981
Scan donated by Spartan
P-60b, 50 Patacas, 1981
Scan donated by Spartan
P-61a, 100 Patacas, 1984
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-61a, 100 Patacas, 1984
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-64, 10 Patacas, 1988
Scan donated by Spartan
P-64, 10 Patacas, 1988
Scan donated by Spartan
P-65, 10 Patacas, 1991 P-65, 10 Patacas, 1991
P-66a, 20 Patacas, 1996
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-66a, 20 Patacas, 1996
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-66a, 20 Patacas, 1996
Scan donated by:  Ron Eales
P-66a, 20 Patacas, 1996
Scan donated by:  Ron Eales
P-67a, 50 Patacas, 1992 P-67a, 50 Patacas, 1992
P-67a, 50 Patacas, 1992
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-67a, 50 Patacas, 1992
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-68a, 100 Patacas, 1992
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-68a, 100 Patacas, 1992
Scan donated by Steve Burke
P-71a, 20 Patacas, 1999 P-71a, 20 Patacas, 1999
P-72a, 50 Patacas, 1999 P-72a, 50 Patacas, 1999
P-73a, 100 Patacas, 1999 P-73a, 100 Patacas, 1999
P-76, 10 Patacas, BNU, 2001 P-76, 10 Patacas, BNU, 2001
P-76, 10 Patacas, BNU, 2001
Scan donated by Claudio Marana
P-76, 10 Patacas, BNU, 2001
Scan donated by Claudio Marana
P-76, 10 Patacas, BNU, 2001
Scan donated by Frank van Tiel
P-76, 10 Patacas, BNU, 2001
Scan donated by Frank van Tiel
P-76b, 10 Patacas, 2001
Scan donated by Morris Lawing
P-76b, 10 Patacas, 2001
Scan donated by Morris Lawing
P-78, 100 Patacas, 2003
Note donated by Morris Lawing
P-78, 100 Patacas, 2003
Note donated by Morris Lawing
P-79, 500 Patacas, 2003
Scan donated by Frank van Tiel
P-79, 500 Patacas, 2003
Scan donated by Frank van Tiel
P-80, 10 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Note donated by Morris Lawing
P-80, 10 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Note donated by Morris Lawing
P-80, 10 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Scan donated by Alvaro Braganca
P-80, 10 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Scan donated by Alvaro Braganca
P-81, 20 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Note donated by Morris Lawing
P-81, 20 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Note donated by Morris Lawing
P-81, 20 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Scan donated by Alvaro Braganca
P-81, 20 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Scan donated by Alvaro Braganca
P-82, 100 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Note donated by Morris Lawing
P-82, 100 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Note donated by Morris Lawing
P-82, 100 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Scan donated by Alvaro Braganca
P-82, 100 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Scan donated by Alvaro Braganca
P-83, 500 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Scan donated by Alvaro Braganca
P-83, 500 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Scan donated by Alvaro Braganca
P-84, 1,000 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Scan donated by Alvaro Braganca
P-84, 1,000 Patacas, 8/8/2005
Scan donated by Alvaro Braganca

Banco Da China

P-90, 10 Patacas, 1995 P-90, 10 Patacas, 1995
P-90, 10 Patacas, 1995
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-90, 10 Patacas, 1995
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-91, 20 Patacas, 1996
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-91, 20 Patacas, 1996
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-91, 20 Patacas, 1996
Scan donated by Thomas Krag
P-91, 20 Patacas, 1996
Scan donated by Thomas Krag
P-92a, 50 Patacas, 1995
Scan donated by Richard Sutherland
P-92a, 50 Patacas, 1995
Scan donated by Richard Sutherland
P-92a, 50 Patacas, 1995
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-92a, 50 Patacas, 1995
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-92b, 100 Patacas, 1997
Scan donated by Thomas Augustsson
P-92b, 100 Patacas, 1997
Scan donated by Thomas Augustsson
P-93, 100 Patacas, 1995
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-93, 100 Patacas, 1995
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-93, 100 Patacas, 1995
Scan donated by Richard Sutherland
P-93, 100 Patacas, 1995
Scan donated by Richard Sutherland
P-94, 500 Dollars, 1995
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-94, 500 Dollars, 1995
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-95, 1,000 Dollars, 1995
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-95, 1,000 Dollars, 1995
Scan donated by Tod Hunt
P-96, 20 Patacas, 1999 P-96, 20 Patacas, 1999
P-97, 50 Patacas, 1999 P-97, 50 Patacas, 1999
P-98, 100 Patacas, 1999 P-98, 100 Patacas, 1999
P-101, 10 Patacas, 2001 P-101, 10 Patacas, 2001
P-101, 10 Patacas, 2001
Scan donated by Frank van Tiel
P-101, 10 Patacas, 2001
Scan donated by Frank van Tiel
P-101, 10 Patacas, 2001
Scan donated by Claudio Marana
P-101, 10 Patacas, 2001
Scan donated by Claudio Marana
P-102, 10 Patacas, 2003
Scan donated by Frank van Tiel
P-102, 10 Patacas, 2003
Scan donated by Frank van Tiel
P-105, 500 Patacas, 2003
Scan donated by Frank van Tiel
P-105, 500 Patacas, 2003
Scan donated by Frank van Tiel

Specialized Issues

P-S138, 10 Dollars, 1931
Scan donated by Mark Schiffer (eBay Bisco5)
P-S138, 10 Dollars, 1931
Scan donated by Mark Schiffer (eBay Bisco5)

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Banknote reference numbers obtained from the Standard Catalogs of World Paper Money published by Krause Publications


Patrick Kennedy's World Currency Homepage
This page created by: Patrick Kennedy
Creation date: March 2007
Last update: 18 November 2009
URL: http://www.patricksworldcurrency.com/countries/macao.html