Madou District (Chinese: 麻豆區; pinyin: Mádòu Qū; Wade–Giles: Ma2-tou4 Ch'ü1; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Moâ-tāu) is a district of about 45,067 residents in Tainan, Taiwan. It owes its name to the Siraya language word Moatau or Mattou. Mattau was one of the four core Sirayan villages during much of Taiwan's colonial history and figured heavily in the formation of colonial policy in Dutch Formosa. Currently, it is a well-known town in Tainan for its local culinary specialties and historical sites, and has become more prosperous in recent five years due to the presence of two universities. As an example of the increased attention Madou is receiving, the New Year Countdown Night for 2006 in Tainan was held at Madou Junior High School.