Backpacking Information on Macau

MACAUis also a working language used by the educated few,
Macau from A-Ma-Gao, the Chinese goddess of thewhereas ENGLISH is the standard language in the
island, is one of the two special administrative regionstourism industry. Much needs improvement however
of China separated from Hong Kong by the Pearlas English is not as widespread as in HK SAR. Locals
River Estuary. The former overseas Portuguese islandfor instance speak little to nil English and this includes
territory is granted with a high-degree of autonomybus and cab drivers. Thus imported labour from
under "one government, two systems", endowed withSoutheast Asia runs high for hotel, museum, casino,
its own government structure, political and legislativeand other hospitality jobs because English requirements
power, currency, passport and visa. China steps in,cannot be met independently.
however, for matters involving foreign relations andRELIGION
defense. The city is Asia's best known gamblingAs the majority is Chinese, faith and belief are rooted
destination, generally referred to as "The Oriental Lason Chinese local religions Buddhism, Taoism, and
Vegas". The gambling scene is so phenomenal thatConfucianism. A sizeable minority of the demographic
the label does not befit anymore as its casinos makeare Christians (9%). Each religion is given the floor to
more revenue than anywhere else in the world. It maycelebrate their treasured traditions such as the Feast
seem hard to unify how a former colonial territoryof Tou Tei (The Earth god) or The Passion of Our
suddenly gains world fame as a gambling island, but, ifLord. Such events are due equal reverence even
truth be told, the fusion is downright refreshing.when commemorated on the same day.
GEOGRAPHYATTRACTION
Macau's 29.2 km² area is generally a flat terrain,There is no guessing that the principal attractions in
credits to land reclamation. The Macau SAR withMacau are the mega-casinos, like the world's largest
coordinates 22 10 N, 113 33 E, includes the Macaucasino, The Venetian. Perhaps, a distinct kind of
Peninsula and the islands of Taipa, Coloane, and Cotai.audience may lavish on historical colonial relics, baroque
Alas, urbanization took firm control of the environmentedifices such as The Cathedral, temples like the Kun
accounting for the total absence of arable land,Iam, and nature parks Lou Lim Ioc, as well as
forests, woodlands, and pastures in the region. Alto decontemporary structures. Overspending comes easy
Coloane is the highest point in the region with anin Macau and finding alternative travel options for
altitude of 174 metres above sea level, and the Southbackpackers may render some difficulty. But there are
China Sea being the lowest point (0 metres).some freebies to be had, like the effervescent show
CLIMATEof lights and lasers at The Bubble, the dome inside the
Macau's humid subtropical climate is heavily determinedCity of Dreams Casino. Without forests or woodlands
by monsoons and is evident by the markedin the region, hiking the Taipa and Coloane areas
temperature differences between winter and summer.offers gratification at no extra expense. Coloane is
Winters are, by and large, warm and dry from Januaryalso the site of the region's two beaches, Hac Sa and
to March; but the coolest month remains to be JanuaryCheoc Van, and some religious monuments such as
(15.0 °C/59.0 °F). Summers from July to Septemberthe St. Francis Xavier Chapel and the Tin Hau Temple.
are hot and wet with occasional rainfall and typhoons.FOOD
July is the hottest month at 28.9 °C or 84.0 °F.Portuguese food has added European flair to the local
Springs are humid and begin in April and end in June,cuisine that brought about this new flavour called the
while autumns are warm with low humidity.Macanese cuisine. Macanese resulted from the efforts
PEOPLEof replicating European dishes for Portuguese sailors
Upon the handover in 1999, Macau has become a trulyby their wives which turned out macau-licious, and
Chinese territory constituting 95% of the 559,846hence lived on to tell that story. At present, Macanese
population. Macau is noted the most densely populatedfood is characterized by a special blend of spices like
place to live in the whole world with a populationturmeric, bacalhau, and cinnamon in a base of coconut
density of almost 18,428 persons crammed per squaremilk.
kilometre. The population's 2% are an ethnic groupCantonese food takes the reins as the famed cuisine
referred to as Macanese that are either Portugueseof the region due to its heavenly flavours sans the
or some mix of Portuguese. The remainder aresky-high prices that won't blow all your gambling
Hongkongese, Filipinos, and Portuguese. To add to thiswinnings away. Street diners in the peninsula district
issue of density, last September 2009, imported labourspecializing in Macau cuisines appease the hungry
has reached its highest statistics in Macau history withtraveller with humble offerings of rice and noodle
104,281 migrant workers and expatriates.dishes like no other. Egg tarts are also the favourite in
LANGUAGEthe region (Lord Stow's Bakery). Towards the ruins of
CANTONESE and PORTUGUESE are both thethe St. Paul's Cathedral, the traveller may fill up on
official languages of the Macau Special AdministrativeChinese, Portuguese, and Macanese cooked and
Region (SAR), therefore signage are in both languages.baked delights that vendors will almost hand over for
CANTONESE is widely spoken by over 96% of thethe cost that is next to nothing.
population, while Portuguese, a minor 2%. MANDARIN