Cambodia
General data on Cambodia:
Official name: Kingdom of Cambodia
Area: 181,035 km²
Population: 14.7 million (2010)
Capital: Phnom Penh
Major cities: Preah Sihanouk, Battambang, Siem Reap
Official language(s): Khmer
Currency: Riel (KHR) and dollar (a highly dollarized economy)
National Day: November 9
Cambodia (more accurately transcribed as Kampuchea) is a Southeast Asian state. To the east it borders Vietnam, to the north Laos, and to the northwest Thailand. To the southeast it overlooks the Gulf of Thailand. From 1863 to 1953 it was one of the French protectorates. After that, Cambodia is now a constitutional monarchy with the official name Kingdom of Cambodia. In comparison with most other Asian states, Cambodia is a small country, less than 2/3 of Italy. After surviving a long and disastrous civil war, present-day Cambodia has opened up to tourism and has become a fairly popular destination with tourists, both for its numerous historical relics including the mythical temples of Angkor from the 9th century, and for its breathtaking rice paddy landscapes. Tourists cannot forget the specialty of the country: coconut and palm sugar, and finally its friendly and brave population. Its main attraction is dedicated to the archaeological park of Angkor in which the sites not to be missed are:
The temple par excellence, Angkor Wat, the largest sacred building in the world.
The suggestive Ta Prohm, a temple swallowed by the jungle.
The surreal splendor of Bayon with its 216 haunting faces emerging from the forest.
A pilgrimage to the mountain-temple of Prasat Preah Vihear. (currently not recommended)
Not only that, Cambodia also possesses a coastline with magnificent beaches untouched by tourism and still many surprises waiting to be discovered:
The colonial ruins of the Bokor hill station.
A dip in the waters of Sihanoukville.
The floating village of Chong Kneas, on Lake Tonle Sap.
The island of Koh Tonsay for a holiday away from everything and everyone.
The National Museum of Phnom Penh, with its collection of Khmer sculpture.
An excursion to the rolling hills of Mondulkiri province.
An elephant ride in the North-East.
When to Go
The best period to visit Cambodia, from a climatic point of view, are the months of December and January; it is the dry season, the humidity rate is relatively low and rainfall is scarce.
Administrative division of Cambodia:
Phnom Penh Municipality, Banteay Meanchey Province, Battambang Province, Kampong Cham Province, Kampong Chhnang Province, Kampong Speu Province, Kampong Thom Province, Kampot Province, Kandal Province, Koh Kong Province, Kep Province (municipality), Kratié Province, Mondulkiri Province, Oddar Meanchey Province, Pailin Province (municipality), Preah Sihanouk Province, Preah Vihear Province, Pursat Province, Prey Veng Province, Ratanakiri Province, Siem Reap Province, Stung Treng Province, Svay Rieng Province, Takéo Province, Tbong Khmum Province
Cambodia (more accurately transcribed as Kampuchea) is a Southeast Asian state that borders Vietnam to the east, Laos to the north, and Thailand to the northwest. To the southeast it overlooks the Gulf of Thailand. It was under the French protectorate from 1863 to 1953, now Cambodia is a monarchy state with the name Kingdom of Cambodia.
