Macau澳门

Curatorial Note

This gallery presents a single atlas from Macau, a territory whose cartographic tradition is deeply tied to its unique status as a cultural and commercial crossroads. The featured work, published in 1997 by the Macau Foundation, marks a pivotal moment: the year of Macau’s return to Chinese sovereignty. This atlas, titled simply 'Mac', is a concise yet comprehensive national atlas, compiled in Chinese, reflecting the region’s identity at the threshold of a new era. Its editorial approach emphasizes spatial integration—urban development, historical landmarks, and natural geography—within a compact format, designed for both scholarly reference and public education. As the sole representative in our collection, this atlas stands as a testament to Macau’s effort to codify its territorial narrative during a time of political transition. Its publication not only filled a gap in regional cartography but also set a precedent for future atlas-making in Macau, influencing subsequent works that blend local heritage with modern mapping techniques. Though limited in number, this atlas holds enduring value as a historical document, capturing Macau’s landscape and administrative boundaries at a defining moment in its history.