Cambodia

Fast Facts:

Location: South-East Asia.
Time: GMT + 7.
Area: 181,035 sq km (69,900 sq miles).
Population: 14.2 million (UN estimate 2008).
Population Density: 81.7 per sq km.
Capital: Phnom Penh. Population: 2 million (2007).

                                                                                                            
Introduction

Cambodia boasts a rich culture with its many ancient temples and impressive natural scenery, such as the empty beaches, mighty rivers and the remote forests. Travel to Cambodia will always be high on anybody's travel list as it offers the fabulous temples of Angkor Wat, long considered one of the greatest human achievements of ancient architecture and sculpture.
Visiting these temples along with many of the country's nature sites is like experiencing a foreign world. We offer among the best of Cambodia travel packages, tours and vacations. We have on this page every kind of trip imaginable for travel in Cambodia. At the present, more of Cambodia is open to visitors than any other time in decades. As well as the famous temples at Angkor near Siem Reap, there are many other beautiful places to discover. The empty beaches in Sihanoukville on the South Coast of Cambodia, are a great place to relax and enjoy the sun. You may choose to visit here on the way back to Phnom Penh, stopping at Kampot and Kep on the way.
 

Geography
Cambodia shares borders in the north with Laos and Thailand, in the east with Vietnam and in the southwest with the Gulf of Thailand. The landscape comprises tropical rainforest and fertile cultivated land traversed by many rivers. In the northeast and southeast areas rise highlands. The capital is located at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers. The latter flows from a large inland lake, also called Tonle Sap, situated in the centre of the country. There are numerous offshore islands along the southwest coast.
 

Government
Constitutional monarchy since 1993.
Head of State
King Norodom Sihamoni since 2004.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Hun Sen since 1985.

Recent History
The authoritarian, extreme-left Cambodian People's Party remained in government following the 2003 elections, in coalition with the FUNCINPEC party led by Prince Rannaridh. In October 2004, King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated due to old age and frail health, without a clear succession. Last-minute legislation had to be administered since the constitution did not permit abdication and, eventually, the nine-member Throne Council appointed his son, Norodom Sihamoni, as the new king. King Norodom Sihamoni has vowed to remain politically neutral and open to ideas from all Cambodians.

Language
Khmer is the official language and spoken by 95% of the population. Chinese and Vietnamese are also spoken. French was widely spoken until the arrival of the Pol Pot regime and is still taught in schools, but English is now a more popular language to learn among the younger generation.

Religion
95% Buddhist (Theravada), the remainder Muslim and Christian. Buddhism was reinstated as the national religion in 1989 after a ban on religious activity in 1975.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are in use. Power cuts are frequent.

Social Conventions
Sensitivity to politically-related subjects in conversation is advisable. Avoid pointing your foot at a person or touching someone on the head. Women should keep their shoulders covered and not wear shorts when visiting pagodas.

Photography:
Permitted, with certain restrictions, such as the photographing of military installations, airports and railway stations. It is polite to ask permission before photographing Cambodian people, especially monks.

 

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Cambodia major places of interest:
 Phnom Penh, Mondulkiri, Siem Reap/ Angkor, Kratie, Battambang, Kampot, Preah Vihear
Banlung (Ratanakiri), Sihanoukville, Kampong Thom