1987 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1987 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Boundary disputes
none; will become a Special Administrative Region of China in
Climate
tropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers
Coastline
40 km
Comparative area
about one-ninth the size of Washington, D.C.
Environment
essentially urban; one causeway and one bridge connect the two islands to the peninsula on mainland
Exclusive fishing zone
12 nm
Land boundary
201 meters with China
Land use
0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other
Special notes
none
Terrain
generally flat
Territorial sea
6 nm
Total area
- 2km Zhujiang Kou iha de Coloane
- 20 km?; land area: 20 km?
People and Society
Ethnic divisions
98% Chinese, 2% Portuguese
Infant mortality
12/1,000 (1985)
Language
98% Chinese, 2% Portuguese
Literacy
almost 100% among Portuguese and Macanese; no data on Chinese population
Nationality
noun—Macanese (sing. and pl.); adjective—Macau
Population
437,822 (July 1987), average annual growth rate 5.53%
Religion
mainly Buddhist; 17,000 Catholics, of whom about half are Chinese
Government
Administrative divisions
municipality of Macau and two islands— Ilha da Taipa and Ilha da Coloane
Branches
Governor assisted by five Secretaries-Adjunct (all appointed by President of Portugal), 17-member Legislative Assembly (five appointed by Governor, six elected by universal suffrage, six elected by various groups and associations)
Elections
conducted every four years Political parties and leaders: Association to Defend the Interests of Macau; Macau Democratic Center; Group to Study the Development of Macau; Macau Independent Group
Government leader
Dr. Joaquim Pinto MACHADO, Governor (since May 1986)
Legal system
Portuguese civil law system
Member of
Multifiber Agreement
Official name
Macau
Other political or pressure groups
wealthy Macanese and Chinese representing local interests, wealthy pro-Communist merchants representing China's interests; in January 1967 Macau Government acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power over administration
Suffrage
Portuguese, Chinese, and foreign residents over 18
Type
Chinese territory under Portuguese administration Capital; Macau
Economy
Agriculture
rice, vegetables; food shortages—rice, vegetables, meat; depends mostly on imports for food requirements
Budget
expenditures, $300 million (1985)
Electric power
123,000 kW capacity; 335 million kWh produced, 840 kWh per capita (1986)
Exports
$90] million (f.0.b., 1985); textiles and clothing Macau (continued)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GNP
$1.08 billion (1985)
Imports
$772 million (c.i.f., 1985); foodstuffs
Major industries
textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture
Major trade partners
exports—32% US, 18% Hong Kong, 10% FRG, 10% France; imports—43% Hong Kong, 21% China (1985)
Monetary conversion rate
8 patacas=US$1 (June 1986)
Communications
Airfields
none; 1 seaplane station
Civil air
no major transport aircraft
Highways
42 km paved
Ports
1 major
Telecommunications
fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services; 13,000 telephones; 4 AM and 8 FM radio broadcast transmitters; est. 75,000 radio receivers; international high frequency radio communication facility; access to international communications carriers provided via Hong Kong and China
Military and Security
Military manpower
males 15-49, 109,000, 63,000 fit for military service (1986 est.)