Macau: flag, capital, currency and history

Macau, officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is a special administrative region of China in Eastern Asia, Asia. The currency is the Macanese pataca. Languages spoken include Portuguese and Chinese.

Quick facts about Macau

Official name: Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Capital: Macau
Region: Asia, Eastern Asia
Currency: Macanese pataca (MOP, P)
Languages: Portuguese, Chinese
Calling code: +853
Internet domain: .mo
Area: 30 km² (12 sq mi)
Land borders: China
Demonym: Macanese

Flag of Macau

Download the flag of Macau as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇲🇴.

SVG (vector)

History of Macau

The Pearl River Delta area of Macau was part of imperial China for centuries. Portuguese traders gained a foothold there in the mid-16th century, around 1557, and the settlement became a trading port linking China, Japan and Europe. Portugal's administration was formally recognised by China in the 1887 Sino-Portuguese Treaty. After the 1987 Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration, sovereignty was transferred to the People's Republic of China on 20 December 1999. Macau is now a special administrative region of China with its own legal and economic system under the principle of one country, two systems.

Key dates

c. 1557Portuguese traders establish a settlement at Macau.
1887The Sino-Portuguese Treaty of Peking recognises Portuguese administration of Macau.
1974After the Carnation Revolution, Portugal's government recognises Macau as Chinese territory under Portuguese administration.
1987China and Portugal sign the Joint Declaration on the question of Macau.
1999Macau returns to Chinese sovereignty on 20 December.

A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.