Cambodia, covering an area of 181,035 sq km, is one of eight Asian nations located on the Indochinese Peninsula. The country’s population exceeds 15.7 million people, with the majority being Khmer (80%). The remaining residents are represented by people of Chinese and Vietnamese descent. The kingdom’s capital was officially established in 1863 during the reign of King Norodom I, becoming the largest city of Phnom Penh. Other major cities include Battambang and Takmao.
The country’s name comes from the Sanskrit “Kamboja.” During certain historical periods, the country had a name closer to the Khmer language – Kampuchea. Cambodia is a unitary state with a constitutional monarchy as its form of government. The country’s administrative-territorial structure distinguishes 23 provinces and 1 centrally-administered municipality.
The exact time when the first settlements appeared in Cambodia remains unknown. However, archaeological excavations suggest that the first human settlements were established in its territory as early as 15,000 BCE. The first century CE was marked by rapid development of trade relations between the Khmers and Indians, through which the inhabitants of ancient Cambodia adopted Indian culture and religion.
Until the 6th century, the Khmers didn’t have statehood as such: the territory of Cambodia was ruled by separate principalities called Khmer. But between the 6th and 9th centuries, we see the gradual unification of these separate lands into the unified Angkorian Kingdom. Over the next four centuries, the Khmer Empire transformed into a flourishing, powerful state with vast territories that included lands of modern Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, and parts of Vietnam.
By the beginning of the 14th century, the Angkorian state was no longer the sole stronghold of power in the Southeast Asian region: gradually the Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya appeared on the scene. This state slowly but surely began reclaiming lost lands, and by the mid-14th century completely conquered Angkor. Wars between Cambodia and Thailand continued until the 19th century, resulting in the Khmer empire losing not only its dominance in Asia but also significant portions of territory.
This desperate situation pushed the Khmer king to seek help from France, which willingly sent its modern army to rescue Cambodia and helped decisively defeat the Siamese troops. However, the French exacted a heavy price for their support – they stripped Cambodia of its independence. Thus, from 1864, the kingdom became an official French colony whose monarch had no real power. This situation caused protests among the population and prompted residents to form workers’ parties and organize numerous uprisings that continued until the 1950s.
Cambodia only fully regained its sovereignty in 1955.
However, the long-awaited freedom only caused a split in society between communist and right-wing organizations, sparking a civil war. After twenty years of struggle, in 1975 power was seized by the “Khmer Rouge” led by Pol Pot, whose rule became one of the most tragic moments in Cambodian history. Taking agrarian socialism as their ideal, the communists forcibly relocated city dwellers to villages where they were made to work 20 hours a day; they exterminated intellectuals, leaving only the youngest and healthiest alive, banned schools, all religious practices, medical treatment, and executed people caught reading.
All this led to poverty and disease, and then to the collapse of the country whose resources were completely exhausted. Only in 1979 did the people, with support from the Vietnamese army, manage to overthrow the Khmer Rouge dictatorship, which attempted to regain power well into the 21st century. Today Cambodia is on a path of economic and cultural revival, restoring monuments lost in wars and developing its tourism sector.
The official language in Cambodia is Khmer. But as the country is home to representatives of ethnic minorities such as Chinese, Thai, Laotian, and Vietnamese, their languages are also spoken here. Given Cambodia’s long period under French rule, many schools teach French.
Cambodia is an agrarian state, with its economy based on agriculture which employs about 80% of the country’s residents. Over 20% of land is allocated to this sector, growing rice, coconut palms, sugar cane, rubber trees, cotton, and bananas. An important Cambodian industry is fishing, concentrated in the waters of Tonlé Sap lake and along the Gulf of Thailand coast. Animal husbandry also plays a significant economic role.
Since 2000, the country has seen active development in tourism, but even today Cambodia has underdeveloped infrastructure in this sector. To attract more tourists, the government plans to build an additional terminal at Siem Reap airport, for which they’ve signed a financing agreement with France. Most of Cambodia’s territory (75%) is forested, which could be an effective economic driver. But due to the lack of developed transport networks, forest resources are being stolen and sold to Thai buyers by criminal organizations.
Most Cambodian companies process agricultural products or manufacture consumer goods. Today, about 300,000 residents (5% of the employed population) work in garment factories, whose products account for 70% of Cambodia’s total exports.
In 2005, oil reserves were discovered in the country, which also has potential for gold and iron mining. But due to a lack of qualified workers, development of these new sectors hasn’t progressed.
Overall, unstable political circumstances, rampant corruption, and low education levels keep Cambodia’s economy in a state of sluggish development.
The head of state in Cambodia is the king, who in practice holds no real power. Succession occurs exclusively through the male line, but the decision about which candidate ascends to the throne rests with the Crown Council.
Legislative power resides with parliament, consisting of the National Assembly (whose members are elected by the people for five-year terms) and the Senate (with appointed legislators). Executive power is concentrated in the Cabinet of Ministers, formed by the monarch.
Cambodia is a UN member and maintains a position of neutrality in foreign policy.
In 1999, the country joined the ASEAN treaty and established a course for developing relations with Japan, which is now involved in Cambodia’s reconstruction and is a major investor. Additionally, the government has recently added partners including the US and Australia. The state maintains friendly relations with North Korea, and you can even find North Korean restaurants in the country. Over the past two decades, Cambodia has managed to improve relations with Vietnam and resolve past territorial disputes.
Over 90% of Cambodians practice Buddhism, but you can also find representatives of Islam, Christianity, and Taoism. The country’s unique culture largely reflects religious beliefs but has also been significantly influenced by Indian, Chinese, and Thai traditions. The magnificent structures from the Angkorian period – the temples of Angkor Wat and Bayon – prove that sculpture, applied arts, music, and dance had already developed significantly in Cambodia during that era. The foundations of modern Cambodian culture were laid during this time.
Khmer craftsmen mastered stone carving centuries ago, and their work is evident in numerous statues of gods, mythical lions, and Buddha sculptures that adorn temples. The famous Cambodian string instrument chapei also demonstrates the connection between culture and religion, often used to address god in religious ceremonies. Khmer classical dance deserves special attention: women dress in bright costumes with elaborate headdresses and perform smooth, graceful movements embodying true femininity.
Unfortunately, during the Khmer Rouge dictatorship, countless religious and cultural monuments were destroyed, and Angkor Temple became so neglected it was barely visible under jungle overgrowth. Only thanks to France and international organizations has Cambodia managed to restore some monuments and revive national crafts.
Cambodian cuisine combines seemingly incompatible ingredients with strangely flavored dishes that incorporate virtually all ingredients offered by nature. Khmers love to season their food with spicy or sweet sauces that might taste unusual to European palates. The main components of Cambodian dishes are rice, vegetables, meat, seafood, fruits, and eggs.
In Cambodia, as in other Asian countries, there’s no concept of bread: rice replaces it, eaten with absolutely any dish. Typically, a Khmer breakfast begins with spicy meat or fish broth, while lunch and dinner feature rice with meat or fish or rice noodles with various toppings. Cambodian desserts are made from papaya, bananas, mangoes, and other exotic fruits.
Cambodia is located in the southwestern part of the Indochinese Peninsula and covers an area of over 181,000 sq km. Thailand borders it to the west, Laos to the north, and Vietnam to the east. The southeastern lands face the Gulf of Thailand with a 435 km coastline. Cambodia is a country of plains covering 75% of its territory. The Mekong is the country’s main and longest river, originating in China.
The Cambodian plain occupies most of the land, framed on nearly all sides by mountain ranges. To the southwest are the Cardamom Mountains (over 1500m high), to the north the Dângrêk Mountains, to the east the Ratanakiri Plateau and Chhlong Highlands, and to the west the Krâvanh Mountains (over 1800m high).
Most of the country lies in the tropics, with evergreen tropical forests and shrubs. In the Gulf of Thailand area, mangrove trees occasionally appear, many preserving their pristine condition. Cambodia previously had more forests, but significant portions were cleared for plantations. Local jungles are home to large mammals including tigers, elephants, monkeys, buffalo, and crocodiles.
Like many Asian countries, Cambodia has a hot tropical climate heavily influenced by monsoons. Average annual temperatures stay around 30°C. Spring months are the hottest, with temperatures reaching 36°C – considered the most favorable time to visit. In winter months, temperatures drop to 25°C, but the country remains windless and dry.
In summer, Cambodia’s weather noticeably worsens: monsoons become active, bringing clouds that produce short but heavy downpours. The southeast (including capital Phnom Penh) receives particularly heavy rainfall. Northern areas remain relatively dry year-round, making them visitable anytime.
Autumn weather varies. While September and October still see rains, November becomes warm and dry – marking the start of tourist season.
Cambodia has many interesting cities for tourists. Some along the Gulf of Thailand attract visitors with beaches, while others feature unique cultural and historical monuments.
Spread across three rivers, Cambodia’s capital doesn’t resemble a modern metropolis: the absence of skyscrapers and public transport lets visitors forget they’re in a capital city. Being far from the coast, travelers typically spend just a few days seeing main sights. The city has relatively developed tourist infrastructure including an airport, diverse hotels, and restaurants. Overall, Phnom Penh makes an ideal starting point for exploring Cambodia.
This small resort town on the Gulf of Thailand’s southern coast is famous for Cambodia’s best beaches. The resort offers affordable vacation options: reasonably priced hotels, cafes with local cuisine, and abundant tuk-tuks ready to transport visitors anywhere.
Beyond beaches, Sihanoukville has many attractions including temples, waterfalls, markets, and national parks. With excellent climate, it’s perfect for relaxing after extensive travels.
This small provincial town in southeastern Cambodia near the Gulf of Thailand offers peaceful relaxation. Visitors can explore sacred caves, ancient ruins, and French colonial architecture. Activities include fishing, jungle exploration, cycling, and visiting famous pepper plantations. Kampot’s cozy beaches also delight visitors.
Located in northwest Cambodia, this city has become the country’s most visited destination thanks to the famous Angkor temple complex from the Khmer Empire era. Over a million travelers visit annually, finding quality accommodations and affordable restaurants. Beyond Angkor, Siem Reap has many ancient architectural monuments requiring at least 3-4 days to explore properly.
This popular tourist city in northern Cambodia (300km from the capital) features notable sites including ancient Khmer temples and French colonial buildings. With few hotels and a rural atmosphere, it lacks nightlife or shopping districts.
Spread along the Mekong River, this city is an important transport hub and commercial region where past meets future: modern structures stand beside ancient monuments. Though tourist infrastructure is underdeveloped and streets often dirty, visitors come to admire its French colonial buildings and temples.
Cambodia’s rich history and unique cultural heritage are reflected in its numerous landmarks – the main draw for visitors worldwide.
This symbol of Cambodia is so significant its image appears on the national flag. As the country’s most popular UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor contains over 30 temples with 8 galleries of wall bas-reliefs. Exploring them thoroughly requires at least three days.
Located at Cambodia’s heart, this lake sustains both human and animal life. Its floating villages house between 100,000 to 2 million people. Boat tours offer glimpses into local lifestyles, making Tonlé Sap a must-see attraction.
Covering 140,000 hectares in Kampot Province, this park features stunning waterfalls, the unique Black Palace, and Sampov Pram Temple. Its jungles shelter elephants, while adventurous visitors can explore the abandoned Bokor Hill Station ghost town.
This magnificent structure near the city’s waterfront serves as the monarch’s residence. The Silver Pagoda within its grounds features over 500 silver floor tiles, while the Coronation Hall (with three thrones and royal busts) hosts religious and cultural ceremonies.
Located near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, this gallery houses archaeological artifacts and historical monuments from the 1st-15th centuries. Its architecture alone is remarkable, while highlights include bronze statues of Vishnu and Shiva, a royal barge, and King Jayavarman’s sculpture. The museum boasts the world’s largest collection of Khmer sculptures.
Cambodia’s official currency is the Riel (divided into 100 sen), but locals prefer U.S. dollars which function as a second unofficial currency. Most shops, cafes, hotels, and even markets list prices in dollars, making currency exchange unnecessary. Bring small denominations ($1, $2, $5, $10, $20).
Cambodians sometimes give change in riel at unfavorable rates, so request dollar change when possible.
Credit cards (Visa, American Express, MasterCard) are only accepted at banks and high-end hotels, with ATMs scarce outside tourist areas. Be especially careful with market transactions where counterfeit bills are common.
Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian citizens need visas to visit Cambodia. While visa-free travel has been discussed, 2019 maintains existing rules. Visas can be obtained online, on arrival at airports, or through Cambodian consulates.
Cambodia’s transport infrastructure remains underdeveloped, especially public transit. City dwellers use buses, taxis, motorbikes, and rickshaws, while provinces rely more on bicycles and scooters. Taxis mainly serve tourists as locals can’t afford them.
Cambodia’s 690 km railway system is primitive with no stable schedule. Passenger cars are unavailable – people ride freight trains at 20 km/h. This decline resulted from destructive wars, with insufficient funds for repairs.
Water transport offers an alternative with 3,700 km of waterways, mostly along the Mekong River. Options range from small private boats to speedboats and large vessels. Domestic flights connect major cities from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports.
Many tourists rent vehicles (cars or bikes). With right-hand traffic, rentals are affordable: $6-7 daily for scooters or $25-35 for basic cars.
Cambodia has well-developed, inexpensive mobile networks. Leading operators Smart and Metfone sell SIM cards at their offices (passport required) or shops (often overpriced). Most travelers choose Smart for its reliable service and favorable tariffs.
Mobile internet speed varies – sometimes fast, sometimes painfully slow. Wi-Fi is widely available (except remote areas) at acceptable speeds. Internet cafes charge about $1/hour.
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