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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, Vietnam, but there are some distinct
local dishes. In the growing number of restaurants in Phnom Penh and Siemreap,
you will find excellent Chinese and Vietnamese 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 Vietnam,
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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