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|  | MACAU COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Macau is situated on a tiny peninsula at the mouth of the Pearl River. Two bridges of 2.5km (1.5 miles) and 4.5km (2.8 miles) respectively link it to its nearest island, Taipa, which in turn is joined to the island of Côloane by a 2.2 km-long (1.3 mile) causeway. At the extreme northern end of the peninsula, on a narrow isthmus, is the imposing gateway (Portas do Cerco, or Border Gate), which leads to the Zhuhai and Zhongshan areas of the People's Republic of China. Some 60km (37.5 miles) to the east-northeast, across the mouth of the river, is Hong Kong. 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. Macau's well-to-do economy has remained one of the most open in the world since its reversion to China in 1999. Apparel exports and tourism are mainstays of the economy. Although the territory was hit hard by the 1998 Asian financial crisis and the global downturn in 2001, its economy grew 9.5% in 2002 and 15.6% in 2003. During the first three quarters of 2004, Macau registered year-on-year GDP increases of more than 20 percent. A rapid rise in the number of mainland visitors because of China's easing of restrictions on travel, increased public works expenditures, and significant investment inflows associated with the liberalization of Macau's gaming industry drove the recovery. The budget also returned to surplus in 2002 because of the surge in visitors from China and a hike in taxes on gambling profits, which generated about 70% of government revenue. The three companies awarded gambling licenses have pledged to invest $2.2 billion in the territory, which will boost GDP growth. Much of Macau's textile industry may move to the mainland as the Multi-Fiber Agreement is phased out. The territory may have to rely more on gambling and trade-related services to generate growth. Two new casinos were opened by new foreign gambling licensees in 2004; development of new infrastructure and facilities in preparation for Macau's hosting of the 2005 East Asian Games will bolster the construction sector. The Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Macau and mainland China that came into effect on 1 January 2004 offers many Macau-made products tariff-free access to the mainland, and the range of products covered by CEPA was to be expanded on 1 January 2005. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | Macau
The most famous sight in Macau is probably the ruins of the Church of St Paul's, originally built in 1602 and rebuilt in 1835 after a disastrous typhoon. The Jesuit citadel of São Paulo do Monte is almost directly in the centre of Macau. It forms the strong central point of the old city wall, and was instrumental in preventing the Dutch from conquering the city in 1622. The 17th-century Guia Fortress stands on the highest point in Macau; its lighthouse is the oldest on the China coast. Standing at 130ft high over the Praia Grande Bay, the Gate of Understanding (designed by Charters Almeida), is a symbolic structure which represents the goodwill between China and Portugal.
The complex of temples known as Kun Iam Tong dates from the time of the Ming Dynasty, about 400 years ago, and contains, amongst other works of art, a small statue of Marco Polo. The oldest Chinese temple in the territory is that of the Goddess A-Ma, and dates back at least six centuries. It has some excellent multicoloured bas-relief stone carvings. The Macau Museum seeks to embody the life of Macau and its people from the first settlement to the present day. The museum contains a vast collection of historic and social memorabilia.
The finest expression of Portuguese architecture is probably the Leal Senado, the Senate Chamber. The Public Library, off the main staircase, and the main chamber itself are well worth a visit. The Sun Yat Sen Memorial Home, the former residence of the Revolutionary leader who overthrew the Ching Dynasty in 1910, is now a museum. It is open Mon-Fri 1000-1300 (except Tuesday); Sat-Sun 1500-1700. São Domingo's Church, built in the 17th century, is one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Macau. It has recently reopened after a large-scale renovation programme which has transformed the church. A new Museum of Sacred Art has opened on three floors of the renovated belfry, and is home to 300 works of sacred art which illustrate the history of the Roman Catholic church in Asia. Other churches of interest include those of Santo Agostinho, São Jose and São Lourenco. Opposite Santo Agostinho church is the neo-classical Dom Pedro V Theatre and Macau Club which still host plays and formal functions. The restored colonnial buildings around the sqaure of Santo Agostinho are also worth seeing. Other monuments of note in Macau include those in honour of Jorge Alvares and Vasco da Gama. The Chinese Garden of Lou Lim Ieoc offers a relaxing alternative.
Macau's newest attractions include the Macau Tower, an entertainment and convention centre situated on the waterfront on the Nam Van Lakes. The 338m tower is the tenth tallest in the world and provides panoramic views of the region.
Elsewhere
Taipa and Colôane represent Macau's traditional countryside, with beach resorts, ancestral Chinese villages and pine-forested hills with nature trails and picnic areas. A lot of old Macau is preserved on the islands, including fishing boat-building yards, colonial mansions, Chinese temples and floating, fisherfolk communities.
Taipa
Taipa village is a busy, colourful place with interesting shops and colonial Portuguese offices in narrow streets and alleys, where many traditional crafts are still followed. The Taipa House Museum is a group of five colonial-style houses which have been newly restored and converted. One house is an art gallery; another, furnished in 1920s style, shows how a Macanese family used to live; the other houses contain costumes, crafts and traditional artefacts. Nearby, a small amphitheatre offers typical Macanese entertainment. Pou Tai Un Temple is the largest temple on the islands and has a very good vegetarian restaurant.
Colôane
Colôane has several beaches, as well as Seac Pai Van Park, which has nature trails threading among the hills, and a walk-in aviary with rare and beautiful species. A-Ma Statue has recently been unveiled on the highest point on the island, from which there are spectacular views. Colôane Village has interesting Chinese temples, the Chapel of St Francis Xavier (a classic, Portuguese-style chapel built in 1928) and good restaurants. | | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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