Cambodia

A land of the ancient temples, rich history, and friendly people

The country of extreme opposites is Cambodia, a Southeast Asian state with profusion of magnificent temples and nowadays flourishing culture having a terrible past. Whether it is the majestic ruins of Angkor Wat or commercial glory of Phnom Penh, Cambodia is a mixture of historical and cultural value and natural charm. Notwithstanding this tragic history, Cambodia of today can be viewed as a centre of resilience, and its inhabitants being quite open to new ways of development, but still remaining true to their rich traditions.

To obtain all information about Cambodia, look at its Wikipedia site to see its detailed history as well as general information. To get the official resource and news visit the official site of Cambodia

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Geographical Location

Cambodia is found in the centre part of Southeast Asia with Thailand in the northwest, Laos in the northeast, Vietnam on the east and south and the southwest has the Gulf of Thailand. As a country possessing 181,035 square kilometers with luxuriant landscapes starting with coastal plains to mountains and along with rivers, Cambodia is a rather small state.

Topography and Geology

The natural features of Cambodia are largely occupied by the Tonle Sap lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia that is central to the ecology of the country and agricultural activities. Mekong River is one of the longest rivers in the world and it is present in Cambodia supplying water to the agricultural sector and as a means of transport. The fertile plains are cultivated and well endowed with agricultural products and the mountains including the Cardamom mountains have a variety of either wild animals or endowed with feasible trekking and eco-tourism. It is also a very beautiful country with sandy beaches, islands like the Koh Rong which is famous because it is not spoiled by tourists.

Historical Islam Ancient and Medieval History

The history of Cambodia is closely correlated to the splendor of the Khmer Empire that was prospering during the period of the 9th to 15th centuries. The Angkor empire of Southeast Asia was among the strongest and highly developed cultures of the region. The Angkor Wat temple complex dated back to the 12th century is still a witness to the architectural as well as engineering masterpiece of the empire. Cambodia then occupied a large area and enjoyed a prosperous economy revolving around agriculture, trading and religion.

Post-Colonial History Colonial History

Cambodia was a French protectorate in the later part of the 19th century and remained so till the period when the nation obtained its independence in the year 1953. Cambodia was modernised in its infrastructure under French rule but it experienced loss of its traditional structure. With independence, King Sihanouk Norodom governed Cambodia in a regime of comparative stability and prosperity. Nevertheless, this was short lived and Cambodia was plunged into the political aisle.

Regime of the Khmer Rouge

In 1975, the Khmer Rouge, which was headed by Pol Pot assumed power marking and setting the darkest period in modern Cambodian history. The government attempted to establish an agrarian socialism by exiling urban dwellers to the countryside; where they underwent forced labor, starvation, and violence to establish an agrarian socialism dream. The horrors of execution, hunger, and disease took away the lives of about a quarter of the population, approximately 1.7 million, and in what is now referred to the genocide of the Khmer Rouge.

Led by Vietnamese forces, the Khmer Rouge regime was deposed in 1979, however not without a huge amount of pain and suffering as Cambodia stumbled along and rebounded during the years following this terrible regime.

Modern Cambodia

In the 1990s, Cambodia started restructuring after many decades of war and instability with the assistance of international support. The elections that were sponsored by the United Nations in 1993 saw relative peace and stability to the country. Cambodia has recorded a constant development of its economy since that time which has been largely based on tourism, agriculture, and production regimes. Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy today with a multi-party political system, but another problem is corruption, poverty, and human rights.

Culture Diversity and Heritage

Religion and Ethnic Groups Ethnic Groups Who are the Liberian people? Well the beginning of the not so nice stuff starts here..

Khmer constitutes the majority of the population of Cambodia; they exceed 90 percent, yet there are a variety of ethnic minorities living in the country: Vietnamese, Chinese, Cham, and others. Buddhism is found to be the most popular religion since about 90 per cent of Cambodians are Theravada Buddhist. Buddhism has been instrumental in influencing the culture, art and the everyday life of the country and temples and pagodas are all over the place.

A lesser number of people practice other religions such as Islam (primarily the spread of the Cham people) and Christianity.

Traditions/ Cultural Practices

Cambodia is blessed with cultures that are centuries old. Cambodia is a country with a strong traditional way of dancing, customs, and techniques and one of the most popular dances is Apsara which is executed in a very graceful way with sophisticated costumes. Other sources of arts with great respect are the Cambodian silk weaving and the wood carvings and that is why there are local markets with hand crafts being sold.

The people of Cambodia are characterized to be warm and welcoming. Tourists who visit Cambodia are usually treated with open arms and they are advised to embrace the way of life here and hence they get to go out and have a meal with families as well as participate in community festivals.

Buddhist Festivals

The religious holidays in Cambodia are the most vital ones and center at the Buddhist one. One of the largest festivals in the nation is the Khmer New Year and it is observed in April. This is a three-day festival that signals the end of the harvest period and a period when families meet, offer themselves to monks and participate in such activities as dancing, singing, and games.

Another major holiday among the Buddhists in Cambodia is called Vesak (Buddha day); it is celebrated through prayers, offerings and rituals in the temples all over the country.

National Holidays

During the 9 th November in Cambodia, Independence Day is celebrated to mark the independence of the country in the year 1953 out of France. Ceremonies, parades and national pride are some of the characteristics of the day.

Another special event is Pchum Ben, the Cambodian Ancestors Day when Cambodians go to temples and pay their respect to deceased family members. It is assumed that during this period, the ghosts of deceased people come back to earth.

Ag and Natural Resources

Rice is the most important crop and agriculture has long been the backbone of the Cambodia economy. Rubber, cassava, maize and sugarcane are also other agricultural products. The rice paddies of the fertile plains are very good so the agricultural tradition is deep rooted in this country, and farming rice is the most important part of rural life.

Cambodia also has massive natural resources such as timber, gemstones and fish, which are considered as keys to the economy of the country.

Tourism Industry

Tourism also plays an important role in the economy of Cambodia especially through the Angkor Wat temple complex that is under UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most frequented tourist hotspots worldwide. Besides Angkor Wat, other places that attract tourists to the country are Phnom Penh (the capital), Sihanoukville (the beaches), and the other historical and cultural centers in the nation.

The Cambodian government is striving to come up with sustainable tourism through the promotion of eco tourism, adventure tourism and tourism of cultures. Being one of the sectors with the greatest contribution to the Cambodian economy, the tourism sector is faced with a number of challenges.

Industry and Manufacturing

In Cambodia, the manufacturing industry has been improving at a very high rate especially in clothes, textiles and footwear. The country also enjoys preferential trade relationships with other countries including the United States as well as the European Union and this makes the country an ideal country to invest in. Nevertheless, there are still such challenges as labor rights and underdeveloped infrastructure.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is the prized possession of Cambodian culture. Angkor is one of the grandest temple complexes in the world, constructed in the 12th century; it is one of the five most significant religious monuments of the world and a symbol of Cambodia. The extensive temple complex, characterized by elaborate carvings and beautiful architecture is also a sight to view and the spectacular sunrise at Angkor Wat remains a special sight that any visitor should view.

Phnom Penh

The capital is Phnom Penh, and it has both the old and the new attractions. Other major attractions like the Royal palace, Silver pagoda and the national museum reveal the history of royal Cambodia, Buddhism and arts. The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum are jobbing reminders of a tragic past of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia.

Sihanoukville and Beachs

Sea Sihanoukville is a town in the Gulf of Thailand, and its beaches are very beautiful with islands such as Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem with clear waters without much movement, white sand beaches, and lazy air. Swimming, diving, and rest take place on the beaches.

Healthcare System

There has been an enhancement in the healthcare system in Cambodia over the past few years but still it has its setbacks like infrastructure and availability of healthcare facilities in rural regions. Cambodians also cross the borders to other well-developed countries such as Thailand in search of health services.

The government and the international organizations still work to enhance the access of healthcare, more on the maternal and child healthcare services and increased access of the availability of the healthcare destinations throughout the country.

Education System

Schooling in Cambodia has improved considerably since the toppling of the Khmer Rouge government, as focus has increased in literacy and skills. The initial and secondary education in England is free but the quality of this education differs by the region. The government has engaged in the construction of schools and offering more people more access to higher education, and in the past years, a large number of privately owned schools have been established.

Transport Network

With more projects currently underway on improving its transport infrastructure, Cambodia is on the move towards a better transport network consisting of airports, roads and rail. The city of Phnom Penh has an international airport which has links with the major Asian cities. Although such key cities as Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are well-connected, the road network in rural areas is not always easy and in the rainy season, it can be a huge challenge.

The urban centers have their own public transportation possibilities and tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis have become a common feature in Cambodia. Long-distance buses and trains offer links among the cities, as well as riverboats used along River Tonle Sap and Mekong.

Urban Development

The city of Phnom Penh has witnessed a high rate of urban development in the recent past characterized by newly established building construction and an emerging real estate industry. Nevertheless, the following issues, which involve poverty, rural-urban migration, and urban planning are faced by the country. The activity in development is on enhancing housing, sanitation and provision of amenities.

What is the Best Time to Travel? Ideal Seasons

Cambodia has a tropical climate and it is advised to visit the country during November to February seasons when weather is cooler and less humid. Rain is heavy especially during the monsoon season (May-October) although the abundant rains also makes the countryside green and beautiful.

Special Events and Festivals

You have an opportunity to see how the Cambodians celebrate their cultural holidays as you visit during Khmer New Year (April) or Pchum Ben (September). Family reunions, religious celebrations and traditional performances characterize these festivals.

Conclusion: Future of Cambodia

Cambodia is the nation that has risen out of the gloomy portion of literature and lays as an example of determination and bright future. Cambodia with its historical background, beautiful countryside, and exciting culture is worth visiting and many people come to Cambodia every year. The nation is traveling through the stage of development and modernization and it must deal with the challenges as well as with the opportunities but the people of the nation are very warm hearted and their rich traditions stay at the center of the national identity.

Facts about Alcohol Abuse Frequently Asked Questions

When is the most appropriate time to travel to Cambodia?

The most ideal time to visit is during the cool and dry season i.e November to February.

What are the main attractions of Cambodia?

The Angkor Wat, the Royal Palace and Killing Fields in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville beaches top the list of the attractions.

Which are the languages spoken in Cambodia?

Its national language is Khmer and the English language is very much spoken in tourist regions.

What is Cambodia currency?

The Cambodian riel (KHR) is the official currency but US dollars are used very frequently.

Is Cambodia safe for tourists?

Yes, Cambodia is as a rule safe to tourists, still, it is wise to be cautious, particularly in the busy places.

Which is the principal religion of Cambodia?

Most Cambodians have Theravada Buddhist beliefs that form the main component of culture and traditions in the country.

Cambodia is a land on Contrast; it has the old temples of Angkor, as well as the current development of Phnom Penh. The country boasts of its natural beauty, welcoming people and lavish culture that attract tourists.