General Information    Macau Macau is a city where eastern and western influences have met and continue to coexist in harmony. Macau is located in the Guangdong province, on the western bank of the Pearl River Delta, at latitude 22o 14’ North, longitude 113o 35’ East and connected to the Gongbei District by the Border Gate (Portas do Cerco) isthmus. The Macau Special Administrative Region has an area of 27.3 sq. km, comprised of the Macau Peninsula (with 8.7 sq. km and connected to Mainland China), the islands of Taipa (6.3 sq. km) and Coloane (7.6 sq. km and the reclaimed area COTAI (4.7 sq. km). The three bridges connecting Macau to Taipa are Nobre de Carvalho (2.5 km long), the Friendship Bridge (4.5 km long) and Sai Van Bridge (2.2 km long). The longest one (Friendship Bridge) leads directly to Macau International Airport located on the Island of Taipa. The Sai Van Bridge, which was opened on 9 January 2005, is the first cable-stayed bridge in Macau. The double deck bridge has six lanes in the upper deck and four in the lower, which will open when a typhoon hits the city. The islands are connected by a causeway which is 2.2 km long. Macau is this blend of cultures, people aromas, flavours and styles, unique characteristics that distinguish it from neighbours. LANGUAGE Chinese and Portuguese are the official languages, Cantonese being most widely spoken. The official languages are used in government departments in all official documents and communications. English is generally used in trade, tourism and commerce. VISA Visas are required for all foreign nationals. Passports should be valid for at least 6 months after your intended departure date. No immunization requirements except for Yellow Fever if you are come from an infected area. MONEY & CREDIT CARDS The local currency is Pataca (MOP$). By the decision of the Government the Pataca is linked to the Hong Kong dollars (HK$) which is accepted as currency in Macau. Major credit cards and traveler’s cheques in US dollars are welcomed in major cities. EMBARKATION TAX Hong Kong and Macau governments require a departure tax of HK$19.00 and MOP$20.00, respectively, which is normally included in the ticket prices. BUSINESS HOURS Banks: 09:00am - 05:00pm (Mon-Fri)   09:00am - 01:00pm (Sat) Private Offices: 09:00am - 06:00pm (Mon-Fri)   09:00am - 01:00pm (Sat) Shops: 10:00am - 09:00pm (Daily) CUSTOMS ALLOWANCE Visitors may bring in 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco) and a one-liter bottle of alcohol. TIME ZONE The time in Hong Kong is GMT plus 8 hours. WATER All tap water should be boiled before drink. ELECTRICITY 220 Volts 50 cycles AC. CLIMATE Hong Kong is a sub-tropical, monsoonal city with four distinct seasons. Spring: March to mid-May has temperatures from 18 oC - 27 oC and bring occasional mist and rain showers. Summer: late May to mid-September has temperatures from 25 oC - 34 oC and is normally sunny but during the typhoon season (July–September) there can be heavy rains. Autumn: September to early December, temperatures can range from 17 oC - 29 oC and is sunny and clear. Winter: late December to February, the temperature ranges from 11 oC - 19 oC and is sunny, bright and occasionally quit.