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The Territory of Macao, which comprises the peninsula of Macao (here is an attractive old map) and the two nearby islands of Taipa and Coloane, is situated on the southern coast of China in the western part of the Pearl river delta. Macao covers an area of 17 square kilometers and has a population of almost 400 000. It is a duty free port with no currency import/export restrictions. Portuguese and Chinese are the official languages while English is also spoken. Founded in the middle of the sixteenth century, Macao has been administered by the Portuguese for more than 400 years. In 1987, Portugal and China issued a Joint Declaration on an agreement to transfer administration of the Territory from the Portuguese Government to the Chinese Government on 20th December 1999. From April to September, the weather is very humid and warm, with the possibility of typhoons in July and August. From October to December, it is mild and dry. In January and February, it is somewhat cold and humid, and the temperature starts to rise in March with humidity remaining high. Macao can reached from Hong Kong by means of very frequent boat connections, the trip taking around an hour, and from Guangzhou (Canton), 160 kilometers away in mainland China, by road. The main industry (approximately 75%) of Macao is garments and textiles, with toys, electronics, leather products, wooden furniture, ceramics and optical goods being other important products. Tourism is a strong sector in Macao's economy. In 1991 there were 7.5 million visitors, of whom 81% were Hong Kong residents who came for the casinos. Macao is ideally suited for business and industry, being in the midst of one of the fastest growing high technology areas of the world today. Macao has the economic basis for rapid expansion. It represents excellent prospects for investments in technological areas, which are likely to attract talented people, enterprises and ventures that could profit from UNU/IIST. Macao has a modern infrastructure including an international airport; an attractive quality of life; an abundance of ethnic restaurants; quaint old, exciting streets with a plethora of original shops: Chinese Ming and Qing dynasty furniture, ceramics and china, traditional Chinese medicine, snake and dried fish, etc.; beautifully restored Portuguese style buildings; quiet, scenic islands with beaches and parks; many modern international hotels; and modern communication systems. Zhuhai, one of China's rapidly developing new economic zones, is immediately across the border from Macao.
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