Macao (Macau) is located on a peninsula in the estuary of the Pearl River delta in southeast China and it was a Portuguese colonial settlement from c. 1557 until 1999. Macao was a major trade hub of the Portuguese Empire and with its unique access to the Chinese market, was able to supply the Chinese with silver, pepper, and sandalwood.
More about: Portuguese MacaoDefinition
Timeline
-
c. 1557The Chinese Ming Dynasty grants the Portuguese a trading base of their own at Macao.
-
1999Portuguese Macao is handed over to China.