Economy

A free port, Macao is a leading trade, tourist, and fishing center, but gambling casinos account for much of its GDP. There are also textile, clothing, toys, plastics, fireworks, electronics, and food-processing industries. Most of Macao's transit trade with China is by way of its shallow harbor on the west side of the peninsula. Tourism, mainly for gambling, is extremely important to the province, with many coming from nearby Hong Kong. There is daily ferry and bus service to Guangzhou and ferry, hydrofoil, and helicopter service to Hong Kong. Taipa is connected to Macao city by bridges; Taipa and Colôane islands are connected by a causeway. An airport opened in 1995.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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