Google Earth Community: Special Administrative Region of Macau

ADDITIONS TO BEN_B'S TOUR

Ben_B earlier posted a thorough tour that majestically swoops around Macau and its neighbouring islands, but I couldn't let it rest without at least the addition of the dazzling and much-photographed Largo do Senado. Also in this post are a map overlay, the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Home, the famous Hotel Lisboa and Government House, plus, on nearby Coloane Island, quite possibly the best restaurant in the region, Fernando's. At least I think this is about where it is -- it's been a few (too many) years.

See Ben_B's prior post here: http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded....true#Post101641

Colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. As per an agreement signed by China and Portugal in 1987, Macau became a Special Administrative Region of China on December 20, 1999, two years after the British handed back Hong Kong.

Beijing promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be practised in Macau, and that Macau will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defence affairs until 2049.

Macau did not develop as a major settlement until the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century. Having established themselves at Goa in 1510 and Malacca in 1511, the first Portuguese arrived on the China coast in 1513 aboard a hired junk sailing from Malacca. They landed on Lintin Island in the Zhujiang (Pearl River) estuary and erected a stone marker claiming the island for the king of Portugal.

Long before, this tiny patch of land was a haven for seafarers. Pirates and fishermen alike sought refuge from typhoons within Macau's natural harbours and small inlets. Bringing their beliefs with them, these seafarers built a temple to their goddess of safe passage, A-Ma. From this springs the name “A-Ma-Gau” (Bay of A-Ma), the forerunner of the modern name of Macau.

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