Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR)

Abstract

Having been part of the Chinese empire since at least the Qin dynasty (ca. 200 BCE), the ancient history and human settlements of Macao are quite similar to that of Hong Kong, to include their administration before European occupation. Although having been returned to Chinese authority from Portugal in 1999, Macao still maintains its old character from early mercantile trade between Europe, Japan, and China, beginning in the sixteenth century, and becoming quite brisk during the 1800s. In addition to being a transit point for various goods to include opium, Macao also served as a transit point for “coolie” labor from China to other countries, many such laborers being refugees from the tumultuous Taiping Rebellion (ca. 1860). Macao also developed a notorious reputation as a free-wheeling center for vice, chiefly gambling but also prostitution. Major immigration waves later occurred during the Sino-Japanese war (1937–1945), the vast majority being Cantonese. Today, Macao has a gross domestic product (GDP) of about USD $54 billion (2021), and a per capita income ($36,350), three times that of Shanghai City.