Macao

Macao, a Portuguese settlement on the south coast of China, on the west side of the estuary of the Canton River, Hong-kong being about 40 miles distant on the opposite side of the same estuary. The settlement occupies a small peninsula projecting from the south-eastern extremity of the island of Hiang-shang, and is defended by forts built on the high ground overlooking the town. The islands Colovane and Taipa also belong to the settlement, whose total area is $4\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}$ sq. m. and pop. close upon 70,000, of whom less than 5000 are Portuguese, the rest being mostly Chinese. The principal public buildings are the cathedral and churches. Macao is one of the healthiest ports in China, though the heat is excessive during the south-west monsoon. The greater part of the revenue of the settlement is derived from licensed gambling-houses. The Portuguese obtained permission from the Chinese authorities to settle in Macao in 1557. The Chinese, however, until 1886 exacted from them an annual ground-rent, and retained jurisdiction over their own people. The anchorage of the port is defective; large vessels cannot approach nearer than six miles. Since the rise of Hong-kong the commerce of Macao has suffered severely. Shortly after it was declared a free port (1845) it became the headquarters of the coolie trade, especially with Peru and Cuba; but in consequence of fearful abuses the British and the Chinese constrained the Portuguese government to abolish the traffic in 1873 (see COOLIES). The trade of Macao (the name of which was for long a synonym for stagnation and decay) showed, in 1885-90, some signs of reviving. The import trade, mainly in the hands of Chinese and Parsees, had in 1889 a value of £755,057, the chief item being Patna opium; other imports are kerosene (formerly from America, now largely from Batoum), piece goods, yarn, and provisions. The exports, valued at £716,755 in 1889, comprise tea, oils, silk, and rice. The export of tea from Macao to London alone was 2,500,000 lb. British merchants have a share of the export trade, but not the Portuguese. Macao is the seat of a bishop and the headquarters of French missions in China. A grotto is shown here in which Camoens (q.v.) is traditionally believed to have written his Lusiad during his banishment.