Regions and territories: Macau

Tiny Macau, a special administrative region of China, has seen its low-key colonial character give way to massive commercial and tourist development.

The former Portuguese colony, a near neighbour of Hong Kong, occupies a small peninsula and two islands off China's southern coast.

Overview

Overview
Facts
Leaders
Media

Its economy revolves around tourism. Macau has capitalised on its long history as a gambling centre, drawing many thousands of visitors from China and Hong Kong.

Foreign casino companies have invested heavily since Hong Kong tycoon Stanley Ho's decades-long monopoly on the gaming industry ended in 2002. New "mega-casinos", which include major hotel developments, have replaced traditional gambling dens.

Colonial architecture remains, but Portugal's stamp on Macau is fading

In 2006 the returns from the casino boom surpassed the revenues of the US gambling mecca, Las Vegas. But analysts warn that Macau risks relying too much on the industry.

Some politicians and academics say most locals have yet to benefit from the economic boom.

The former colony reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1999 after 400 years of Portuguese rule. Beijing promised to uphold Western-style freedoms for at least 50 years.

Although it is part of China, Macau is governed under the "one country, two systems" principle, under which it has a large degree of autonomy.

Pro-reform forces are less vocal in Macau than in Hong Kong. But pro-democracy activists are pushing for universal suffrage after 2009, when Macau's constitution, the Basic Law, allows for changes to the electoral system.

Portuguese seafarers settled in the area in the 1500s. Initially, the colony prospered on the lucrative returns from regional trade, and European-style mansions and churches mushroomed.

Trade dwindled from the 1600s, but the introduction of licensed gambling in the mid 1800s revived Macau's fortunes.

Facts

Overview
Facts
Leaders
Media

Territory: Macau
Status: Semi-autonomous, special administrative region of China
Population: 476,700 (via UN, 2006)
Area: 23.8 sq km (9 sq miles)
Major languages: Chinese (mainly Cantonese), Portuguese (both official)
Major religions: Buddhism, Christianity
Life expectancy: 78 (men), 82 (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 pataca = 100 avos
Main exports: Clothing, textiles
GNI per capita: $14,390 (World Bank, 2000)
Internet domain: .mo
International dialling code: +853

Leaders

Overview
Facts
Leaders
Media

Chief executive: Edmund Ho Hau-wah

Macau's leader Edmund Ho

Businessman Edmund Ho won a second and final five-year term in August 2004. He ran unopposed and gained 296 out of 300 possible votes from Macau's Beijing-approved committee of politicians and businessmen.

Mr Ho promised to push for further growth, and to continue to support Macau's autonomy.

The chief executive has enyoyed a high popularity rating, having overseen a period of rapid growth as well as a drop in gang-related violence.

Mr Ho was selected as chief executive by the committee of business and community leaders ahead of the 1999 handover.

Former culture minister, Fernando Chui, has been chosen as the next chief executive and is to take office in December 2009. He was the uncontested choice of a three-hundred member electoral college. His endorsement marks the first leadership change since the former Portuguese colony reverted to Chinese rule.