In 1841 the British settled on the island of Hong Kong, 40 miles east-northeast of Macau, with a deep-water, sheltered harbour that became the major port and commercial hub of the region. The foreign merchants moved to the new colony and Macau's economic importance declined, Now it became a holiday retreat for Hong Kong residents, who came to gamble at the legalised casinos and enjoy a taste of old-world Europe in a classical Chinese setting.
In the latter part of this century Macau has developed into an important manufacturing centre and travel destination, as well as a commercial gateway to the Pearl River Delta. It continues to be a unique crossroad of East and West, preserving a heritage that over four and a half centuries has been nurtured by the coexisting cultures and interchanging traditions of China and Portugal.
Although it has witnessed many changes during its 440 years of existence, Macau has always been a stronghold of Portuguese presence and culture in the Far East. Macau has proudly flown Portugal's flag continuously even when the Motherland's throne was occupied by a foreign king, in the 17th century. When Portuguese rule was re-established, 60 years later, the city of Macau was granted the official name of:
Cidade do Nome de Deus de Macau, nao ha outra mais Leal. (City of the name of God, Macau, there is None More Loyal). Macau has been under the Portuguese administration until the establishment of the Special Adnlinistrative Region of the People's Republic of China, in December 20, 1999.