Macau
overseas territory of PortugalIndependence none (territory of Portugal)
Macau as the 1990 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 67 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
13 fieldsLand useshare of 16 km2
Environment
essentially urban; one causeway and one bridge connect the two islands to the peninsula on mainland
People
14 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1990)
Government
Overseas territory of Portugal
17 fieldsIndependence
- none (territory of Portugal);
- Portugal signed an agreement with China on 13 April 1987 to return Macau to China on 20 December 1999;
- in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Macau's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle for 50 years after transition
Judicial branch
- Supreme Court Chief of State--President (of Portugal) Mario Alberto SOARES (since 9 March 1986);
- Head of Government--Governor Carlos MELANCIA (since 3 July 1987)
Political parties and leaders
- Association to Defend the Interests of Macau;
- Macau Democratic Center;
- Group to Study the Development of Macau;
- Macau Independent Group
Suffrage
- universal at age 18 Legislative Assembly--last held on 9 November 1988 (next to be held November 1991);
- results--percent of vote by party NA;
- seats--(17 total; 6 elected by universal suffrage, 6 by indirect suffrage) number of seats by party NA
Other political or pressure groups
- wealthy Macanese and Chinese representing local interests, wealthy pro-Communist merchants representing China's interests;
- in January 1967 the Macau Government acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power over administration
Diplomatic representation
- as Chinese territory under Portuguese administration, Macanese interests in the US are represented by Portugal;
- US--the US has no offices in Macau and US interests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong
Economy
The economy is based largely on tourism (including gambling), and textile and fireworks manufacturing.
16 fieldsOverview
The economy is based largely on tourism (including gambling), and textile and fireworks manufacturing. Efforts to diversify have spawned other small industries--toys, artificial flowers, and electronics. The tourist sector has accounted for roughly 25% of GDP, and the clothing industry has provided about two-thirds of export earnings.
Macau depends on China for most of its food, fresh water, and energy imports. Japan and Hong Kong are the main suppliers of raw materials and capital goods.
Exports
- $1.7 billion (1989 est.);
- commodities--textiles, clothing, toys;
- partners--US 33%, Hong Kong 15%, FRG 12%, France 10% (1987)
Imports
- $1.6 billion (1989 est.);
- commodities--raw materials, foodstuffs, capital goods;
- partners--Hong Kong 39%, China 21%, Japan 10% (1987)
Agriculture
- rice, vegetables;
- food shortages--rice, vegetables, meat;
- depends mostly on imports for food requirements
Exchange rates
- patacas (P) per US$1--8.03 (1989), 8.044 (1988), 7.993 (1987), 8.029 (1986), 8.045 (1985);
- note--linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar
Communications
5 fieldsTelecommunications
- fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services;
- 52,000 telephones;
- stations--4 AM, 3 FM, no TV;
- 75,000 radio receivers (est.);
- international high-frequency radio communication facility;
- access to international communications carriers provided via Hong Kong and China;
- 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Defense Forces
2 fieldsCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Macau.” The World Factbook 1990. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/macau/1990.