Macau was geographically divided into three main regions: a peninsula and two islands. However, reclaimation of the area between Taipa and Coloane has created a fourth region of Cotai and resulting in one bigger island with the peninsula.
The Macau Peninsula is the northernmost region, connecting to the Chinese mainland. It is the center of most tourist activity and is densely crowded.
Besides the city itself, Macau includes the island with Taipa and Coloane, which are connected by bridges and a causeway.
Taipa (氹仔 - Tam Chai in Cantonese) is an island to the south of the peninsula, accessible via three bridges. It is a major residential center and is the location of Macau's International Airport.
Coloane (路環 - Louwan in Cantonese) is an island further to the south. It is considerably less developed than the other regions due to its mountainous terrain, has two beaches, several hiking trails and a resort. It is also the location of Macau's first golf course, a second one is on the Cotai Strip.
Cotai (路氹 - Loutam in Cantonese, the name being a somewhat unimaginative contraction of Coloane and Taipa) can be considered as the fourth region. It is an area of reclaimed land joining Taipa and Coloane, making them essentially into a single island.
The mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai borders Macau to the North, and the border crossing carries heavy two-way vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
The Zhuhai Special Economic Zone extends south to the island of Hengqin, an area west of Taipa, Cotai and Coloane; the Lotus Bridge from Cotai connects to that area.
There is significant movement by the local population of both Zhuhai and Macau across the border, making the two feel like twin cities.
