Macau (S.A.R.,China) Statistics

Geography-Population

Area:  28.2 sq km

Climate:  subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers

Population:  573,003 (July 2011 est.)

Languages:  Cantonese 85.7%, Hokkien 4%, Mandarin 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 2.7%, English 1.5%, Tagalog 1.3%,

Government-Economy

Government type: limited democracy (special administrative region of the People's Republic of China)

National holiday: National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949)

Independence Day: (special administrative region of China)

Currency: Pataca (MOP); 1 MOP = 0.13 USD; 1 USD = 8 MOP

GDP: $18.47 billion (2009 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP): $33,000 (2009)

Information for Foreign Students in Macau

Obtaining a visa

Before leaving for Macau, it is necessary that you obtain an F1 student visa. To do this you must go to the Chinese embassy in your home country with your program admission letter as well as the Form JW202. If you intent to stay in Macau for more than 180 days, you will be asked to give a certificate of medical examination as well. The cost should be 35€ for a single entry visa and 50€ for a double entry visa.

Housing
Students can choose to live either outside campus in apartments or on campus in university housing. We recommend that students live off campus if possible in order to get the full experience if an immersion into this new culture and language.

Link for hotels, hostels, guesthouses, B&Bs :http://www.worldtravelguide.net/macau-0/hotels

Money

The pataca is pegged to the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). Hong Kong dollars are accepted by most businesses on a 1:1 basis, but most businesses will endeavor to give you change in HKD if you pay in HKD, if they have them. Visa and MasterCard credit cards are widely accepted in major restaurants, stores and the ferry terminal but some merchants may require a token minimum purchase amount, usually $100. You can easily find a cash machine everywhere in the country.

Transportation

In Macau, you have various means of transportation: the bus, shuttle, taxi, cycle richshaw and by car (when you rent one).