Editing Geography of Macau

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use British English|date=January 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
__NOTOC__
{{Geography of Macau}}
[[Macau]] is a [[Special administrative regions of China|Special Administrative Region]] on the southern coast of China. It is located at the south of [[Guangdong]] Province, on the tip of the [[peninsula]] formed by the [[Pearl River (China)|Zhujiang]] (Pearl River) [[estuary]] on the east and the [[Xijiang River|Xijiang]] (West River) on the west. Macau is situated {{convert|60|km|abbr=on}} west of [[Hong Kong]], and {{convert|145|km|abbr=on}} southwest of [[Guangzhou]], the capital of Guangdong Province. It is situated immediately east and south of [[Zhuhai]].

The region comprises the [[Macau Peninsula]] and the islands of [[Taipa]] and [[Coloane]]. Macau was once an island but gradually a connecting sandbar turned into a narrow [[isthmus]]. [[Land reclamation]] in the 17th century made Macau into a peninsula, and a [[Portas do Cerco|barrier gate]] was built to mark the separation between the peninsula and the mainland. Pre-colonial records show that Macau totalled only {{Convert|2.78|km2|mi2|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} but began to increase as a result of [[Portuguese Macau|Portuguese settlement]]. Land growth has accelerated since the last quarter of the 20th century, from {{Convert|15|km2|mi2|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} in 1972 to {{Convert|16.1|km2|mi2|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} in 1983 to {{Convert|21.3|km2|mi2|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} in 1994. Macau's size has gradually increased as result of continued land reclamation, especially on Taipa and Coloane. In 2014, the total land area was approximately {{Convert|30.3|km2|mi2|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}.

There is a {{Convert|0.34|km|mi|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long border between Macau and [[mainland China]] and a forty-kilometre-long coastline. The main border crossing between Macau and China is the [[Portas do Cerco]] (Barrier Gate) Frontier Checkpoint on the Macau side, and the [[Gongbei Port of Entry|Gongbei checkpoint]] on the Chinese side.

==Location, size, border, and coastline==
[[File:Macau2021OSM.png|thumb|Macau borders the city of [[Zhuhai]] in [[Guangdong]] Province. The map also shows Macau's maritime boundaries, the western end of the [[Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge]], the leased territory in Zhuhai (the [[University of Macau]]) and [[Macau Light Rapid Transit]].]]
'''[[Geographic coordinates]]:''' {{Coord|22|10|N|113|33|E|type:country}}

===Area===
*''Total:'' 115.4&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name=waterarea>{{cite web|title=Macao to administrate 85 square kilometres of waters|url=http://www.gcs.gov.mo/showNews.php?DataUcn=95418&PageLang=E|website=Government Information Bureau of the MSARGovernment Information Bureau of the MSAR|publisher=Government of Macau|access-date=21 December 2015}}</ref>
*''Land:'' 30.4&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>
*''Water:'' 85&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name=waterarea />

===Land boundaries===
*''Total:'' 0.34&nbsp;km
*''Border city:'' [[Zhuhai]], Guangdong Province 0.34&nbsp;km

===Coastline===
*''Coastline:'' 50.63&nbsp;km
*''Maritime claims:'' not specified

==Topography==
[[File:Administrative Division of Macau.png|thumb|200px|right|The administrative divisions within Macau ([https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Macau&ll=22.170238,113.553143&spn=0.124626,0.166683&t=k&hl=en Click here for Satellite Image])]]
[[File:Vistas de Macao, 2013-08-08, DD 05.jpg|thumbnail|View of the old city]]
[[File:Vista de los casinos desde el Centro de Ciencia, Macao, 2013-08-08, DD 04.jpg|thumbnail|View of the casinos]]
[[File:Macao-from-air-2019-Luka Peternel.jpg|thumb|View of Macao from air]]

'''Location:''' Eastern Asia, bordering the [[South China Sea]] and China

'''Terrain:''' generally flat
<br>'''Elevation extremes:'''
<br>''lowest point:'' South China Sea 0 m
<br>''highest point:'' [[Coloane Alto]] {{convert|172|m|abbr=on}}

===List of highest hills in Macau SAR===

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" style="width:60%"
|-
! style="width:50px;"|Name !! Location !! Notes !! Height !! Photo
|-
|[[Alto de Coloane]]
|Coloane<br>
|
|172.4m
|
|-
|[[Unnamed (Triangulation Pillar C6)]]
|Coloane
|
|170.3m
|
|-
|[[Unnamed (Triangulation Pillar C4)]]
|Coloane
|
|163.8m
|
|-
|[[Taipa Grande]]
|Taipa
|
|160.4m
|
|-
|[[Unnamed (Triangulation Pillar T16)]]
|Taipa
|
|152.9m
|
|-
|[[Ponto Central]]
|Coloane
|
|138.1m
|
|-
|[[Monte de Ka Ho]]
|Coloane
|
|132m
|
|-
|[[Unnamed (Triangulation Pillar C56)]]
|Coloane
|
|126m
|
|-
|[[Morro de Artilharia]]
|Coloane
|
|120m
|
|-
|Unnamed
|Coloane
|
|114.8m
|
|-
|[[Taipa Pequena]]
|Taipa
|
|112m
|
|-
|Unnamed (Triangulation Point C25)
|Coloane
|
|108.8m
|
|-
|[[Guia Hill]]
|Macau
|
|91.6m
|
|-
|[[Barra Hill]]
|Macau
|
|74.4m
|
|-
|[[Ilha Verde hill]]
|Macau
|
|54.5m
|
|}

Macau has generally flat terrain resulting from extensive land reclamation, but numerous steep hills mark the original natural land mass. The modern high-rise skyline of Macau obscures much of the hilly landscape. The Macau skyline both defines and obscures its topography.

The Macau [[Peninsula]] is narrow in shape but varies in [[terrain]].

==Climate==
{{Climate chart
| Macau
| 12.2 | 17.7 | 32.4
| 13.1 | 17.7 | 58.8
| 16.2 | 20.7 | 82.5
| 20.2 | 24.5 | 217.4
| 23.6 | 28.1 | 361.9
| 25.7 | 30.3 | 339.7
| 26.3 | 31.5 | 289.8
| 26.0 | 31.2 | 351.6
| 24.9 | 30.0 | 194.1
| 22.3 | 27.4 | 116.9
| 17.8 | 23.4 | 42.6
| 13.8 | 19.6 | 35.2
|float=right
|clear=both
|source=WMO }}

Although Macau is located in the tropics, it has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cwa''), because the Siberian pressure system in the winter pushes cool air further south than similar semipermanent permanent high pressure systems. Its average year-round temperature is {{Convert|22.7|°C|1}}. Summers are very hot and humid: the July average temperature is {{Convert|28.9|°C|1}} and the highest daytime temperature could reach {{Convert|35|°C}}. However, the heat is generally less intense than many places in [[mainland China]] due to the coastal location. Winters are short and mild: the January average is {{Convert|15.0|°C|1}} and the lowest temperature could drop to {{Convert|5|°C}}, but very rarely any lower. There is about {{Convert|2120|mm|in|0}} of rainfall annually, with drier winters.

Macau is exposed to [[tropical storm]]s originating from the southern Pacific Ocean during the summer. Major destruction occurred in September 1874, when a devastating [[typhoon]] hit Macau and high seas swept across the low-lying area of the peninsula. There are always a few tropical storm occurrences in Macau each year (typically between May and October), although they vary in strengths. When they occur, they usually bring strong winds, rainfall and lower temperatures.

Prevailing winds and weather types change follow the monsoon pattern. It is warm and moist when the southeast and southwest winds are coming from the Pacific Ocean, and typhoons are relatively common during summertime. It is dry and slightly cold when the north winds are coming from [[Siberia]] or the northern part of mainland China.

During the transition period from northeast monsoon to southwest monsoon (March and April), the weather is moist and foggy. It is Macau's spring season. Summer is from May to September, when the southeast and southwest monsoon prevailing. It is rather hot and rainy. The weather in autumn (the end of September and October) is sunny and warm, when the southwest monsoon withdrawing gradually and the northeast monsoon advancing south. It is generally regarded as the most comfortable season there. Winter is from November to February next year, when the northeast monsoon prevailing. It is mainly dry, with occasional cold fronts arriving.

There are moderate to high levels of humidity year-round, with an annual average of 79.3%. Annual sunshine totals are moderate, at more than 1800 hours.

{{Macau weatherbox}}

==Natural resources==
Negligible. In the past, large amounts of [[granite]] were extracted from Macau's hills for use as [[building material]].

===Fresh water===
Relying on water supply from the [[Xijiang River]], in 2006 Macau suffered its worse crisis of salinity in [[freshwater]] during the dry season, which takes place in late winter and early spring.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fox |first1=Yi Hu |title=Fresh-water crisis looms for Macau |url=https://www.scmp.com/article/537564/fresh-water-crisis-looms-macau |access-date=4 October 2020 |work=South China Morning Post |date=23 February 2006}}</ref>
To address salinity issues, as of 2018 three water supply pipelines to Macau have been built and a fourth pipeline was planned for completion in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Yi Wei |title=Macau {{!}} Fourth water supply pipeline will be built in 2019. |url=https://www.macaubusiness.com/macau-fourth-water-supply-pipeline-will-be-built-in-2019/ |access-date=4 October 2020 |work=Macau Business.com |date=20 August 2018}}</ref>

==Land use and reclamation==
[[Image:Macau 1889.jpg|thumb|120px|Macau Peninsula and [[Ilha Verde]] in 1889]]
[[Image:MapaMacau1912.jpg|thumb|120px|Macau Peninsula, [[Taipa]] and [[Coloane]] in 1912]]
[[Image:MapaMacau1986.jpg|thumb|120px|Macau Peninsula, [[Taipa]] and [[Coloane]] in 1986]]
[[Image:Macau topographic map-fr animated.gif|thumb|120px|Land reclamation in Macau from 1555 to 2011]]
Until early 20th century, the Macau peninsula was dotted with small farms on its northern area, beyond the walls protecting the city. Currently, in the Macau peninsula, no arable land, natural pastures or woodland exists and forests have been cleared and plant species have been subjected to profound changes. Coloane on the other hand, due to its later colonisation, still has its forests and is dotted with small farms, namely around the Coloane, Hac Sa and Ka Ho villages.

''arable land:'' 0%
<br>''permanent crops:'' 0%
<br>''other:'' 100% (2011)

In 2010 plans were announced for an additional 3.5 square kilometres of land reclamation in Macau, to be carried out over five years and divided into six phases. These areas cover an area east of the [[Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, Macau|Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal]], an area south of Avenida Sun Yat Sen, and the north side of Taipa Island.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macaudailytimes.com.mo/macau/13558-Land-reclamation-done-the-next-years.html |title=Land reclamation to be done in the next 5 years |author=Alexandra Lages |work=Macau Daily Times |date=19 June 2010 |access-date=26 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009114213/http://www.macaudailytimes.com.mo/macau/13558-Land-reclamation-done-the-next-years.html |archive-date=9 October 2011}}</ref>

The change of total area of Macau (in km square) since the year of 1912:
;Note
:<nowiki>*</nowiki> - not included in "Total area of Macau"
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Area of Macau Peninsula
! Area of Taipa
! Area of Coloane
! Area of [[Cotai]]
! Total area of Macau
! Area of [[University of Macau|UM]] Hengqin*
|- 
| 1912
| 3.4*
| 2.3
| 5.9
| —
| 11.6
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 1936
| 5.2
| 2.6
| 6.0
| —
| 13.8
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 1957
| 5.5
| 3.3
| 6.3
| —
| 15.1
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 1986
| 5.8
| 3.7
| 7.1
| —
| 16.6
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 1991
| 6.5
| 4.0
| 7.6
| —
| 18.1
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 1996
| 7.7
| 5.8
| 7.6
| —
| 21.3
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 1999
| 7.8
| 6.2
| 7.6
| 2.2
| 23.8
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 2000
| 8.5
| 6.2
| 7.6
| 3.1
| 25.4
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 2001
| 8.5
| 6.2
| 7.6
| 3.5
| 25.8
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 2002
| 8.5
| 6.2
| 7.6
| 4.5
| 26.8
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 2003
| 8.7
| 6.2
| 7.6
| 4.7
| 27.3
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 2004
| 8.8
| 6.4
| 7.6
| 4.7
| 27.5
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 2005
| 8.9
| 6.5
| 7.6
| 5.2
| 28.2
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 2006
| 9.3
| 6.5
| 7.6
| 5.2
| 28.6
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 2007–08
| 9.3
| 6.7
| 7.6
| 5.6
| 29.2
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 2009
| 9.3
| 6.8
| 7.6
| 5.8
| 29.5
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 2010
| 9.3
| 6.8
| 7.6
| 6.0*
| 29.7
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 2011–12
| 9.3
| 7.4
| 7.6
| 5.6
| 29.9
| bgcolor="yellow"| —
|- 
| 2013–14
| 9.3
| 7.6
| 7.6
| 5.8
| 30.3
| bgcolor="yellow"| 1.0
|- 
| 2015 (Sept.)
| 9.3
| 7.6
| 7.6
| 5.9
| 30.4
| bgcolor="yellow"| 1.0
|}

==Environmental factors==
Dense urban environment.

'''Geography – note:''' essentially urban; three bridges connect the two islands of Coloane and Taipa to the peninsula on mainland, and an isthmus connects Coloane and Taipa.

==See also==
* [[Geography of China]]
* [[Geography of Hong Kong]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/19970513231021/http://www.sftw.umac.mo/where/macmap.html Map of Macau in 1997] - [[University of Macau]]

{{Geography of Asia}}
{{Asia topic|Climate of}}

[[Category:Geography of Macau| ]]
[[Category:Geography of South China|Macau]]
[[Category:Geography of China|Macau]]
[[Category:Geography of East Asia|+Macau]]