Macau Special Administrative Region, also called Haojing, Xiangshanao, or Haojiang in ancient times, is composed of the Macau Pen­insula, Taipa Island, and Coloane Island and is situated to the south of Canton Province, on the west bank of the Pearl River. To the north is Gongbei, Zhuhai; the South China Sea is to its south; to the west is Wanzai of Zhuhai; Hong Kong is to the east. The Macau Special Administrative Region is 99 square miles in area and has a population of 440,000 (2000 census). Most of Macau is plateau and hills, and a few plains. Coloane Island is itself a granite mountain with the highest elevation in the entire region. The main peak

is Tashitang Peak at 571 feet high, which is also the highest peak in Macau.

Macau is in the subtropical monsoon area, giving it a warm and humid climate. The humidity is generally 73 to 90 percent, and the average temperature is 68T. The annual precipitation runs about 80 inches. From the end of May to mid-September, Macau is subject to tropical storms and typhoons.

Macau was invaded and occupied by Portu­guese colonists in 1553. On December 20th, 1999, the Chinese government resumed the sovereignty of Macau and set up the Macau Special Administrative Region.