Macau
Macau also known as Macao, lies about 60 km directly west of Hong Kong. It consists of the Macau Peninsula which is attached to mainland China and the small islands of Taipa and Coloane; all are inter-connected by bridge or causeway.
The name Macau is derived from A-Ma-Gau harbor, which in turn is the name for A-Ma, the goddess of seafarers. What was a simple fishing village on the China coastline - was colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century. It soon became the first European settlement in the Far East.
The strategic geographical location and an accessible inland port made Macau an important base for merchants and an international center of 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 return, China agreed that till 2037, Macau will enjoy a high degree of autonomy, except in matters of foreign relations and defense.
While Macau looks like any another modern city with skyscrapers and luxury hotels, in the middle of all its modernity, is the Historic Center of Macau, a world heritage site. It includes many fortresses, palace, buildings and ancient churches.
Macau continues to be a gambler’s paradise. Billionaire Stanley Ho, a world figure has monopolized the franchise since the ‘60s. Gambling alone contributes to nearly 40% of the revenue earned by the authorities. It is no wonder that Macau draws nearly eight million visitors every year from all across the world. There is also a dark side to Macau. Gangster activities are rampant still, ranging from money laundering, gun running and organized crime. Today there are nearly 10,000 troops stationed in Macau, though they are not responsible for internal security.
To name a few of the major tourist attractions in Macau: 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 of course the historic city center.
There are a large variety of night life options, hotels, restaurants and casinos to allure tourists from all over the world. But truly, Macau is a fabulous combination of Portuguese and Chinese cultures. The boat-building yards, mansions and temples, and the wonderful beach resorts, casinos and restaurants blend together to offer a wide variety of interesting things to see and do for any traveler.
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