1988 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1988 (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, B.C.
Environment
essentially urban; one causeway and one bridge connect the two islands to the peninsula on mainland
Ethnic divisions
98% Chinese, 2% Portuguese
Exclusive fishing zone
12 nm
Infant mortality
12/1,000 (1985)
Land boundary
201 meters with China
Land use
0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other
Language
98% Chinese, 2% Portuguese
Literacy
almost 100% among Portuguese and Macanese; no data on Chinese population
Nationality
noun — Macanese (sing, and pi.); 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
Special notes
none
Terrain
generally flat
Territorial sea
6 nm
Total area
20 km2; land area: 20 km2
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)
Capital
Macau
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
Economy
Agriculture
rice, vegetables; food shortages— rice, vegetables, meat; depends mostly on imports for food requirements
Electric power
123,000 kW capacity; 335 million kWh produced, 840 kWh per capita (1986)
Exports
$901 million (f.o.b., 1985); textiles and clothing Macau (continued)
GNP
$1.03 billion (1985)
Major industries
textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture
Communications
Airfields
2 total, 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m
Branches
Army
Civil air
13 major transport aircraft
Highways
5,108 km total; 4,995 km paved, 57 km gravel, 56 km earth; about 80 km limited access divided highway
Inland waterways
37 km; Moselle River
Military manpower
males 15-49, 95,000; 80,000 fit for military service; 2,000 reach military age (19) annually 2 km Zhu Jiang Kou 1 1 ha da Taipa I/ha de Co/cane
Pipelines
refined products, 48 km
Port
(river) Mertert
Railroads
Luxembourg National Railways (CFL) operates 270 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; 162 km double track; 162 km electrified
Telecommunications
adequate and efficient system, mainly buried cables; 210,000 telephones (55 per 100 popl.); 2 AM, 3 FM, 3 TV stations Defense Forces