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Facts about Cambodia
The Kingdom of Cambodia is an independent country with a population
of more than 7 million people. With a surface area of 181,035 sq.
km and once a French colony, is the least known Indochinese country.
Cambodia has a distinct geographical personality: it is a wide basin
surrounded by highlands. In this basin the farmer has created a
simple life - an original civilization and philosophy of mildness.
After many years of war, people rediscovered the meaning of "PEACE"
They started to rebuild and reconstruct in all fields. Cambodia
is divided into 20 provinces and rich in resources, forests, rubber,
gems, fish and has a big potential in tourism.
Facts about the country
Khmers have called their country Kampuchea (usually rendered Kambuja),
since the l6th century. The name is derived from the word kambu-ja,
meaning those born of Kambu (a figure of Indian mythology), which
was first used to refer to the people of Cambodia in the 10th century.
The Portuguese Cambodia and French Cambodge from which the English
name Cambodia is derived, are adaptations of " Kampuja".
It was the Khmer Rouge who insisted that the outside world use
the name Kampuchea. Changing the country's official English name
back to Cambodia (which has been used by the US State Department
all along) was intended as a symbolic move to distance the present
government in Phnom Penh from the bitter connotations of the name
Kampuchea, which westerners and overseas Khmer alike associate with
the murderous Khmer Rouge regime. As a result of the United Nations
sponsored and enforced election in May, 1993, the Kingdom of Cambodia
is now safe to travel and tourism has once again become possible.
Indeed, the country and Phnom Penh in particular is undergoing something
of a renaissance. Often overshadowed by the traumatic events of
its recent past, Cambodia as home of the Khmer culture remains one
of the most important and exotic countries in South East Asia.
Food
Cambodian food is closely related to the cuisines of neighbouring
Thailand and Laos, and to a lesser extent, Cambodia, but there are
some distinct local dishes. In the growing number of restaurants
in Phnom Penh and Siemreap, you will find excellent Chinese and
Cambodiaese dishes but it is the local dishes which are often the
best prepared and most interesting. Rice is the principal staple
and and Battanbang Region is the country's rice bowl. Most Cambodian
dishes are cooked in a wok known locally as a chnang khteak.
 Phnom
Penh
The country's capital Phnom Penh is renowned for its beauty, particularly
the area surrounding the Royal Palace where magnificent Khmer towers
share the boulevard with coloured French villas overlooking the
banks of the Tonle Sap river.
Angkor Wat and Siemrap
The glorious and world-famous Angkor Wat situates in Siemreap Province
and is just a few kilometers from the town. One can reach Siemreap
by taking daily direct flight from Phnom Penh. Temples of Angkor
were built between 7th and 11th century when Khmer civilazation
was at its height of its extraordinary creativity. Angkor Wat is
the cultural home of the Khmer people and one of the ancient wonders
of the world. Its magnificent architecture was the evidence of the
Khmer's strong belief in religions - Hinduism and Buddhism. First
discovered by Western archeologists in the late 19th century, the
lost city of Angkor is just re-opening to the exploration to the
modern civilization.
Ankor Wat - Angkor Thom
The fortified city of Angkor Thom, some 10 sq km in extent, was
built in its present form by Angkor's greatest builder, Jayavarman
7 (reigned 1181 to 1201), who came to power just after the disastrous
sacking by the Chams of the previous Khmer capital, is enclosed
by a square wall eight metres high and 12 km in length and encircled
by a moat 100 meters wide, said to have been inhabited by fierce
crocodiles. The city has five monumental gates, one in the north,
west and south walls and two in the east wall. The gates, which
are 20 metres in height, are decorated on either side of the passageway
with stone elephant trunks and crowned by four gargantuan faces
of the Bodhisatva Avalokitesvara.
Currency
The unit is the riels. Riel demoninations are 100, 200 and 500.
Exchange rates are subject to fluctuation. US$ are generally accepted
thoughout the country. In Phnom Penh, some credit cards can be used
and limited services and purchasing and cashing traveller cheques.
Climate
Cambodia lies in a tropical zone between 10 and 14 degree of latitude
north the equator. The temperature is fairly uniform throughout
the year and averages 25 degree centigrade (77 degree fahrenheit).
The relative humidity is higher at night and usually in excess of
90 percent, during the day the average humidity is 80 percent.
Geography
The Cambodia has an area of about 181,305 squares kilometres, bordered
to the north by Thailand and Laos, to the east and the south by
Cambodia, to the west by the gulf of Cambodia.
Languages
Cambodian is the national and official language but English and
French are spoken in hotels and business circles.
Religion
The majority of the people of Cambodia are followers of Thervada
and Hinayana school of Buddhism which was introduced to Cambodia
between the 13th and 14 centuries and was the state religion until
1975.
Angkor Wat - Bayon
The temples of Angkor Thom, is located in the city's geographic
centre. The 50-tower temples is an awesome sight. At first glances,
the complex seems a shapeless mass of stone. Suddenly, further scrutiny
reveals a face, enigmatic and silent, watching with half-closed
eyes. Soon, another face is made out, and another, and still yet
another, until they are all round silent, heavy and impressive,
staring from a primitive and remote time. Every visitors to Angkor
Wat has to pay entrance fees.
How to reach Cambodia & Angkor Wat
There are direct flights to the capital of Phnom Penh from Bangkok,
Hanoi, Hochiminh City, Hong Kong, Kuahlupur, Singapore and Vientiane.
From Phnom Penh, one can take direct flights to Siemreap (Angkor),
which are now operates on daily basis. Because of its vast architectures
and plentiful of myths and informations, visiting of the great Angkor
Wat with a knowlegable and well-trained guide is highly recommended
and fun. You can enjoy traveling to Angkor Wat.
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