Capital City:                             Phnom Penh

Location on an interactive map:   11°33′N 104°55′E / 11.55, 104.917; South-East Asia

Official languages:                     Khmer

Demonym:                               Cambodian

Government :                           Constitutional monarchy,

Parliamentary representative democracy

King:                                       Norodom Sihamoni

Prime Minister:                          Hun Sen

Independence:                          From France November 9, 1953

Area:                                       181,035 km2 (88th) 69,898 sq mi

 Water (%):                               2.5

Population: 2008 estimate         13,388,910 (67th)

2008 census   13,388,910

Density :                                  74/km2 (125th) 192/sq mi

GDP (PPP)                               2007 estimate

                                               Total   $26.064 billion (89th)

                                               Per capita       $1,817 (133rd)

GDP (nominal)                           2007 estimate

                                               Total   $8.690 billion

                                                Per capita       $606

Currency                                   Riel (៛) (KHR) ; 1USD = 4000Riels

Time zone                                 (UTC+7)

Summer (DST)                           (UTC+7)

Drives on the:                            Right

Calling code:                              855

The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly known as Kampuchea is a country in South East Asia with a population of over 13 million people. The kingdom's capital and largest city is Phnom Penh. Cambodia is the successor state of the once powerful Hindu and Buddhist Khmer Empire, which ruled most of the Indochinese Peninsula between the eleventh and fourteenth centuries.

A citizen of Cambodia is usually identified as "Cambodian" or "Khmer," though the latter strictly refers to ethnic Khmers. Most Cambodians are Theravada Buddhists of Khmer extraction, but the country also has a substantial number of predominantly Muslim Cham, as well as ethnic Chinese, Vietnamese and small animist hill tribes.

The country borders Thailand to its west and northwest, Laos to its northeast, and Vietnam to its east and southeast. In the south it faces the Gulf of Thailand. The geography of Cambodia is dominated by the Mekong river (colloquial Khmer: Tonle Thom or "the great river") and the Tonlé Sap ("the fresh water lake"), an important source of fish.

Cambodia's main industries are garments, tourism, and construction. In 2007, foreign visitors to Angkor Wat numbered more than 4 million. In 2005, oil and natural gas deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial water, and once commercial extraction begins in 2011, the oil revenues could profoundly affect Cambodia's economy.

History of Cambodia

The first advanced civilizations in present-day Cambodia appeared in the 1st millennium AD. During the 3rd, 4th, and 5th centuries, the Indianised states of Funan and Chenla coalesced in what is now present-day Cambodia and southwestern Vietnam. These states, which are assumed by most scholars to have been Khmer, had close relations with China and Thailand. Their collapse was followed by the rise of the Khmer Empire, a civilization which flourished in the area from the 9th century to the 13th century. The Khmer Empire declined yet remained powerful in the region until the 15th century. The empire's center of power was Angkor, where a series of capitals was constructed during the empire's zenith. Angkor Wat, the most famous and best-preserved religious temple at the site, is a reminder of Cambodia's past as a major regional power.

After a long series of wars with neighbouring kingdoms, Angkor was sacked by the Thai and abandoned in 1432. The court moved the capital to Lovek where the kingdom sought to regain its glory through maritime trade. The attempt was short-lived, however, as continued wars with the neighbors resulted in the loss of more territory and the conquering of Lovek in 1594. During the next three centuries, The Khmer kingdom alternated as a vassal state of its neighbors, with short-lived periods of relative independence between.

Cambodia continued as a protectorate of France from 1863 to 1953, administered as part of the colony of French Indochina, though occupied by the Japanese empire from 1941 to 1945. Cambodia gained independence from France on November 9, 1953. It became a constitutional monarchy under King Norodom Sihanouk.

Operation Menu, a series of secret B-52 bombing raids by the United States on alleged Viet Cong bases and supply routes inside Cambodia, was acknowledged after Lon Nol assumed power; U.S. forces briefly invaded Cambodia in a further effort to disrupt the Viet Cong. The bombing continued and, as the Cambodian communists began gaining ground, eventually included strikes on suspected Khmer Rouge sites until halted in 1973.

The Khmer Rouge reached Phnom Penh and took power in 1975, changing the official name of the country to Democratic Kampuchea, led by Pol Pot. The Regime, heavily influenced and backed by China, immediately evacuated the cities and sent the entire population on forced marches to rural work projects. They attempted to rebuild the country's agriculture on the model of the 11th century. They discarded Western medicine, destroyed temples, libraries, and anything considered western. Any person with trained skills, doctors, lawyers, teachers, were especially targeted. According to Robert Kaplan in The Ends of the Earth (Vintage, 1996, p 406), "eyeglasses were as deadly as the yellow star." Over a million Cambodians, out of a total population of 8 million, died from executions, overwork, starvation and disease. There were almost no drugs in the country.

Estimates vary as to how many people were killed by the Khmer Rouge regime, ranging from approximately one to three million.This era has given rise to the term Killing Fields, and the prison Tuol Sleng became as notorious as Auschwitz in the history of mass killing. Hundreds of thousands more fled across the border into neighbouring Thailand. The regime disproportionately targeted ethnic minority groups. The Cham Muslims suffered serious purges with as much as half of their population exterminated.

Peace efforts began in Paris in 1989, culminating two years later in October 1991 in a comprehensive peace settlement. The United Nations was given a mandate to enforce a ceasefire, and deal with refugees and disarmament.

In recent years, reconstruction efforts have progressed and some political stability has finally returned to Cambodia after the brutality of the 1970s and the 1980s. Cambodia has been aided by a number of more developed nations like Japan, France, Germany, Canada, and Australia.

GEOGRAPHY
Cambodia covers a land area of 181,035 km² in the southwestern of the Indochina peninsula. The country’s maximum extent is about 580km (east – west) and 450 (north- south). It is bounded on the west by Thailand, on the north by Thailand and Loas, on the east by Vietnam and on the east by south by the Gulf of Thailand. Administratively, the country composed of 21 provinces, three of which have relatively short maritime boundaries, 3 municipalities, 183 districts, 1,621 communes, 13, 406 villages. The country has a coastline of 435km and extensive mangrove stands, some of which are relatively undisturbed. Cambodia’s two dominant topographical features are the Makong River, which is almost 5km wide in places, and the Tonle Sap Lake.

PEOPLE
The population of Cambodia today is about 13 million. About 90 percent of the people are Khmer ethnic. The remaining 10 percent include Chinese-Khmers, Khmer Islam or Chams, ethnic hill-tribe people, known as the Khmer Loeu, and Vietnamese. About 10 percent of the population lives in Phnom Penh, the capital, making Cambodia largely a country of rural dwellers, farmers and artisans.

LANGUAGE
Khmer is the official language. English and French are popular second languages.

RELIGION
Theravada Buddhism is the official religion in Cambodia. The majority of people are Buddhist and 5% are Muslim or Christian.  

FESTIVAL AND HOLIDAYS

CLIMATE
The climate can generally be described as tropical. As the country is affected by monsoon, it is hot and humid with an overage temperature around 27.C (80.F). There are two distinct seasons: the Rainy Season and the Dry Season. However, the Dry Season is divided into two sub-seasons, cool and hot. These seasons are

The Rainy season:
From June till October 27-35.C (80-95.f)                                                                   Up

The Dry season (cool):
From November till February 17-27.C (80-95.F)

The Dry season (Hot):
From March till May 29-38.C (84-100.F)

CURRENCY
The local currency is Riel, although the US dollar is widely accepted throughout the country and in all major markets. In recent years the rate of exchange has been floating around USD1= 4,000 Riels. Some popular Riel denominations include: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000 notes.

VISA & FEE
For most visitors to the kingdom, visa are obtainable upon arrival at both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. At land crossing from Thailand, visas are available at Poipet Banteay Meanchey and Cham Yeam (Koh Kong province). Visitors who enter from Vietnam through Bavet (VN: Moc Bai) or Ka-Om Samnor (VN: Chao Doc) will need to have already obtained their visas prior to their arrival through a Cambodian Embassy or Consulate overseas.

The border crossing from Laos is also possible through Voeung Kham border checkpoint, but travelers are advised to obtain their Visas prior to arrival at the border. Please note that other border crossing not mentioned above are not classified as international checkpoints therefore we suggest that you secure confirmation before commencing your trip. Various Visa extension options are also available.

Visa Fee: US$20 of tourist Visas & US$25 for business Visas. The fee is payable only in cash.

AIRPORT TAX
For International departures: US$25 from Phnom Penh; US$25 from Siem Reap. For domestic flights: US$6 from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and US$6 from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. 

CUSTOMS
Every passengers has to complete an immigration form and a separate customs declaration form for submission upon arrival. Any amount of foreign currency can be brought into Cambodia but the amount of local currency (Cambodia Riel) must not exceed 100,000 riel per person. 

TIPPING
Although not obligatory, tipping is widely practiced in hotels and restaurants. In addition to the service charges shown on bills, most people would leave some extra in the tray.

FOOD & BEVERAGES
It may surprise some, but Khmer dishes are, typically, not too spicy for western palate (as can sometimes be the case in Southeast Asia). In Cambodia the basic meal is almost always built around rice and usually includes fish, chicken, pork, beef and fresh vegetables. Freshwater fish is frequently served due to the country's abundant supply of this natural resource

While selecting from Khmer menus, we suggest you do order some fish for your meals, especially the popular Amok or Elephant fish dishes. Chinese, European, Thai and Vietnamese foods are also available in numerous restaurants in Cambodia's major cities.

Many of the same beverages which are generally offered in the outside world are readily available including the usual suspects: canned soft-drinks, beer, and wine (most of them imported). Coca Cola, Angkor Beer and several others are also bottled here.  

HOSPITALS
There are still many state-owned hospitals, where qualified doctors work. There are also a number of private clinics available in the major cities and most of these maintain international standards.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Van and Car rental is recommended for touring in the city and the outskirts. A few city buses are available on limited roads but these are irregular and may only be suitable for local people. Cyclos (pollution-free, human-powered Tricycle-taxis) and motor-taxis are plentiful, inexpensive, and readily available. We recommend Cyclos for an "in-touch with the people" experience. These are ubiquitous within the cities.

Automobile taxis are also available but not nearly as plentiful (or pollution-free).

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Vaccination is not required for entry into Cambodia, but Angkor Adventures suggests you checking with doctor as some countries recommend their citizens be inoculated before embarking on an oversea adventure.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
There are two gateways for international telephone access from Cambodia by dialing 001 or 007 followed by the country code and the phone number.

There are also four cellular phone service provides offering convenient communication via the GSM system, therefore many citizens now carry mobile phones. Phone IDD and facsimile are also available.

INTERNET
It is easy and cheap to access the Internet and email in Cambodia. There are a plenty of Internet cafes and many are open until late at night. Currently the charge is between 50cents to $1U.S dollars per hour, and falling.

BUSINESS HOUR (local time is GMT plus 7 hours)
Most business offices are open from 08:00 till 12:00 and from 13:00 till 17:00, Monday through Friday. Banks generally operate from 08:00 till 15:00hrs. Most private companies work on Saturday, while government offices are closed.

SOUVENIRS FROM CAMBODIA
The Krama (a traditional cotton scarf) is one of the most popular, typical Cambodian souvenirs. These multi-purpose garments, similar to a sarong, are used for bathing, cleaning, protection from the sun and many other purposes in the Khmer life. It is also one of the national symbols that distinguish Khmer people from their neighbors. Both cotton and silk Krama are available throughout local markets and souvenir shops. Ask the seller to demonstrate the proper wearing of the Krama so you may carry and wear it yourself while sightseeing for a more elegant and traditional look.

ELECTRICITY
220 volts. 

Up