Portugal reached Macau, an island located off the coast of China, in 1513. After several successful voyages, Portuguese explorer Jorge Álvares was the first European to land on Macau in that year. Macau, with its strategic location and natural harbor, soon became an essential port for Portuguese traders and empire builders. The Portuguese established a trading post and later obtained permission from the Chinese Ming Dynasty to settle in Macau, making it the first European colony in East Asia. Macau remained under Portuguese control for over 400 years until it was returned to China in 1999, becoming a Special Administrative Region (SAR) with a high degree of autonomy. Today, Macau is renowned for its unique blend of Portuguese and Chinese cultures, vibrant casinos, and rich history as a former European outpost in the region.