Macau, also spelled Macao, is a special administrative region of China. It is located west of Hong Kong, separated by the Pearl River estuary, and borders Zhuhai to its north and west.
The region consists of the Macau Peninsula, the islands of Taipa and Coloane, several smaller islets, and the Cotai reclamation zone situated between Taipa and Coloane. Covering a land area of 32.9 square kilometres (12.7 sq mi), it has a population of approximately 720,000 people.
Macau is recognized as the most densely populated region in the world.