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Macao
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Macao is a tiny Portuguese possession on the south-eastern coast of China at the mouth of the Canton river. Comprising a peninsula and two adjoining islands, its total land area is only about 16 square kilometres.
It has a population of around 4,84,000, mostly Chinese.
Macao was once a prosperous port, but its harbour got silted up towards the beginning of this century and ships that used to call here began to go to Hong Kong and other ports. Today, its economy is based on light industry, fishing and tourism. Tourists come in large numbers from Hong Kong, attracted by the gambling casinos here.
Macao was a Portuguese possession since 1557. Under the terms of an agreement signed between Portugal and China in 1987, Macao was restored to Chinese rule in December 1999. |
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