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The most densely populated place in the world, Macao consists of a rocky, hilly peninsula, connected by a sandy 700-ft-wide (213-m) isthmus to China's Zhongshan (Tangjiahuan) island; and the two small islands of Taipa and ColOane. The capital, the city of Macao, is approximately coextensive with the peninsula and contains almost the entire population of the province.
Macao's historic structures include the remaining facade of St. Paul's Basilica (built 1635 by Roman Catholic Japanese artisans; burned 1835), a fascinating example of late Italian Renaissance architecture, with mixed Western and Asian motifs; St. Domingo's church and convent (founded c.1670); the fort and chapel of Guia (1626); the fort of SAo Paulo de Monte (16th cent.); and statues to da Gama and LuIs de CamOes, who wrote (1558–59) part of The Lusiads there. Macao is separated from China proper by a barrier gate (built 1849, replacing one erected by the Chinese in 1573).
The inhabitants are overwhelmingly Chinese and about half are Buddhist; there is a Roman Catholic minority. Portuguese and Cantonese are spoken. Macao is ruled under the Basic Law as approved by the National People's Congress of China in 1993.
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