Macau got its name from a misunderstanding. When the Portuguese seafarers first arrived on the island. They asked the locals for the name of the land but the locals misunderstood and answered with ‘A-Ma-Gau’, thinking that the Portuguese were asking for the name of the local temple called A-Ma. The Portuguese took ‘A-Ma-Gau’ and the territory officially became known as Macau.
Macau is home to the world’s first fusion cuisine. A fusion cuisine is a mix of southern Chinese and Portuguese ingredients and cooking techniques.
Macau is in East Asia, with a population of 700 thousand people. Its currency is Pataca. The official languages spoken in Macau is Chinese (Cantonese) and Portuguese.
They celebrate many holidays including:
- New Year’s Day (Jan 1)
- Lunar New Year’s Day (Date varies)
- Good Friday (Date varies)
- The Day before Easter (Date varies)
- Ching Ming Festival (Date varies)
- Labor Day (May 1)
- Buddha’s Birthday (Date varies)
- Tuen Ng Festival (Date varies)
- National Day (Oct 1)
- Chung Yeung Festival (Date varies)
- All Souls’ Day (Nov 2)
- Feast of Immaculate Conception (Dec 8)
- Macao SARE Day (Dec 20)
- Dongzhi (Date varies)
- Christmas Eve (Dec 24)
- Christmas Day (Dec 25)
It has no world heritage site but has 25 public parks and gardens including:
Want to learn more? Check out Macau’s tourism website.
Also check out the Macao Museum of Art and Macao Museum.
Fun activities to do
To download the flag and map:
- Click on the image
- Right-click and select Save Image As…