Village Transport*

Cambodia Country Information

The Kingdom of Cambodia (pronounced /kæmˈboʊdiə/), formerly known as Kampuchea (/kæmpuːˈtʃiːə/, Preăh Réachéa Nachâk Kâmpŭchea, derived from Sanskrit Kambujadesa (कम्बोजदेश)), is a country in Southeast Asia that borders Thailand to the west and northwest, Laos to the north and Vietnam to the east and southeast. In the south it faces the Gulf of Thailand. The geography of Cambodia is dominated by the Mekong River (Khmer: Tonle Thom  or "the great river") and the Tonlé Sap ; "the fresh water lake").

Like neighboring Thailand, Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy. Phnom Penh is the kingdom's capital and largest city, and is the principal center for economics, industry, commerce and culture. Siem Reap, a city located near the famed ruins of Angkor Wat and gateway to the Angkor region, is Cambodia's main destination for tourism. Battambang, the largest city in western Cambodia, is known for rice production and Sihanoukville, a coastal city, is the primary sea port.

Phnom Penh (Khmer, another Romanization: Phnum Pénh. literally: "Hill of Penh" or more loosely "Pehn's Hill") is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Phnom Penh has been the main capital since the French colonized Cambodia, it has become the center for the country's economic system and has grown to be the source of renowned industrial, commercial, cultural, tourist and historical centers, after 1979.

Phnom Penh is a city of 2 million (out of Cambodia’s 14.5 million) with a low but growing percapita incomem of $2000.  Tourism and garment manufacturing are main industries.  There are many expat communities:  Chinese, Korean, Malaysians, as well as European and Australian.  Some helpful web sites:  Expat Advisory Services.

Once known as the "Pearl of Asia" it is considered one of the loveliest of French-built cities in Indochina in the 1920s, Phnom Penh, along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville is a significant global and domestic tourist destination for Cambodia. Founded in 1434, the city is noted for its historical attractions. There are a number of examples of surviving French colonial architecture, such as the The Royal palace.

Situated on the Tonlé Sap, Mekong and Bassac River, Phnom Penh is home to more than 2 million of Cambodia's population of over 14 million. Phnom Penh is the wealthiest and most populous city in Cambodia. It is also the country's commercial, political and cultural hub.

Notes on Angkorian Kings and their time lines and dominant religions:

Hinduism dominant

    800-850 AD - Jayavarman II - capital at Roulous complex, unification of warring states

    850 - 900 AD - Jayavarman III and Inravarman I

    900 - 950 AD - Yasovarman I, Harshavarman I, Jayavarman IV and V - first temples at Angkor

Shivaism dominant

    1000-1100 - Suryavarman I, Harshavarman III, Jayavarman VI

Hinduism dominant

    1100-1180 AD Suryavarman II - Angkor Wat constructed

Buddhism dominant

    1180 - 1200+ AD - Jayavarman VII - Ta Phrom and Bayon

Hindu Resurgence

    1200 + AD - Indravarman III       

Angkor Wat name derives from the Sanskrit word “nagara”, meaning capital, and the Khmer word “wat”, meaning temple.  Angkor Wat is a classic example of temple architecture from the 12th century reign of Suryavarman II, and was rediscovered by a Frenchman about 150 years ago

*Photo courtesy of Beth Staudenmaier, 2008