This volume provides a short history of the Portuguese colony in the Far East. Beginning with an account of the pioneering ambitions of Prince Henry the Navigator, historian Austin Coates retraces the discovery of the sea route to the Far East and the subsequent foundation of Macao as a Portuguese enclave in 1556-7. A Macao Narrative relates the story of Macao, from its glorious beginnings as a 'city of adventurers enjoying a rich life, confidently aware that at any moment they might have to fight for it' to the Opium War, that led to the end of 'one of the most remarkable trading epochs in history'.