Whether you are looking for ancient temples, bustling cities, pristine beaches, or rural villages, Cambodia has something to offer for every traveler.
One of the main reasons to visit Cambodia is to explore the magnificent Angkor Archaeological Park,
a UNESCO World Heritage Site that covers more than 400 square kilometers.
Here you can marvel at the stunning architecture and art of the Khmer Empire, which ruled much of Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th centuries.
The most iconic structure is Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building and a symbol of Cambodia’s national pride.
You can also visit other impressive temples, such as Bayon, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei, and Preah Khan, each with its own unique style and charm.
1 - Cambodia has a population of about 16.9 million people, according to the World Bank.
The majority of Cambodians are ethnic Khmer, who practice Theravada Buddhism, the official religion of the country.
Cambodia also has minority groups of Chinese, Vietnamese, Cham, and indigenous peoples, who contribute to the country’s cultural diversity.
2 - The history of Cambodia is marked by periods of glory and tragedy.
The country was once part of the powerful Angkor Empire, which reached its peak in the 12th and 13th centuries.
However, the empire declined due to internal strife and external invasions, and Cambodia became a French protectorate in the 19th century.
After gaining independence in 1953, Cambodia faced political turmoil and civil war, culminating in the brutal regime of the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979.
Under the leadership of Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge killed or starved an estimated 1.5 to 2 million Cambodians in a radical attempt to create a communist agrarian utopia.
The Khmer Rouge was overthrown by Vietnamese troops in 1979, but the country remained in conflict until the 1990s.
Since then, Cambodia has embarked on a path of peace and development, with a constitutional monarchy and a multiparty democracy.
3 - The capital city of Cambodia is Phnom Penh, located at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers.
Phnom Penh is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city that offers a mix of colonial charm and modern amenities.
You can visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, where you can see the Emerald Buddha and other treasures.
You can also learn about the country’s tragic past at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields,
where thousands of victims of the Khmer Rouge were tortured and executed.
For a more upbeat experience, you can enjoy the city’s nightlife, shopping, and dining options.
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4 - Cambodia has many other cities that are worth visiting as well.
Some of them are:
Battambang: The second-largest city in Cambodia and a cultural hub that is known for its colonial architecture, art scene, and bamboo train.
Siem Reap: The gateway to Angkor Archaeological Park and a lively tourist destination that offers a range of accommodation, entertainment, and cuisine choices.
Kampot: A charming riverside town that is famous for its pepper plantations, colonial buildings, and natural attractions such as Bokor National Park and Kep Beach.
Sihanoukville: A coastal city that is popular for its sandy beaches, islands, and nightlife.
Kratie: A small town on the Mekong River that is home to rare Irrawaddy dolphins and other wildlife.
5 - The flag of Cambodia features three horizontal bands of blue-red-blue with a white image of Angkor Wat in the center.
The flag was adopted in 1948 after Cambodia’s independence from France and readopted in 1993 after the restoration of the monarchy.
The colors and symbols of the flag have different meanings:
Red: Represents the bravery of the Cambodian nation and the dominant religion, Buddhism.
Blue: Represents liberty, cooperation, and brotherhood of the whole nation as well as the monarchy and the king.
White: Represents purity and religious faith.
Angkor Wat: Represents the Khmer heritage and national pride as well as Buddhism.
6 - Cambodia belongs to the Asian continent, specifically to Southeast Asia.
7 - It shares borders with Thailand to the west and northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east and southeast, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest.
Cambodia has a total area of about 181,035 square kilometers (69,898 square miles), making it slightly smaller than Oklahoma.
8 - Cambodia has an open market economy that relies mainly on tourism and textile manufacturing industries.
It has been one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with an average GDP growth rate of over 7% since 2011.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic has slowed down its economic performance and increased poverty.
The country also has potential oil and natural gas reserves that could boost its economy in the future.
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9 - The official currency of Cambodia is the Cambodian riel (KHR).
However, the US dollar is widely used as a parallel currency and accepted everywhere, especially for large transactions.
The exchange rate is about 4,000 riel to one US dollar.
You can use ATMs, banks, or money changers to get cash in either currency.
You can also use credit cards in major hotels, restaurants, and shops.
10 - The country code for Cambodia is +855.
To call a Cambodian number from abroad, you need to dial the international prefix (usually 00 or +),
followed by the country code, the area code (without the initial 0), and the local number.
For example, to call a landline in Phnom Penh from the US, you would dial 011-855-23-xxx-xxx.
To call a mobile number, you would dial 011-855-xx-xxx-xxx.
11 - The pronunciation of Cambodia varies depending on the language and accent of the speaker.
In English, it is usually pronounced as /kæmˈboʊdiə/ or /kæmˈbodiə/, with stress on the second syllable.
In Khmer, the official language of Cambodia, it is pronounced as /kɑmpuˈciə/, with stress on the last syllable.
12 - The abbreviation for Cambodia is KH or KHM. These are the two-letter and three-letter codes assigned by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
They are used for various purposes, such as internet domains (.kh), vehicle registration (K), and sports teams (CAM).
13 - Cambodia has land borders with three countries: Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.
The total length of its borders is 2,530 kilometers (1,572 miles).
The longest border is with Vietnam (1,158 kilometers or 720 miles), followed by Thailand (817 kilometers or 508 miles) and Laos (555 kilometers or 345 miles).
14 - Cambodia has many best places to visit besides Angkor Archaeological Park.
Some of them are:
Tonle Sap Lake: The largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that supports a rich biodiversity and a vibrant fishing community.
Preah Vihear Temple: A spectacular Hindu temple complex perched on a cliff near the Thai border and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 9th century.
Koh Rong: A tropical island paradise that offers white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, coral reefs, and jungle trails.
Mondulkiri: A province in eastern Cambodia that is known for its rolling hills, waterfalls, ethnic minorities, and elephant sanctuaries.
Kampot: A charming riverside town that is famous for its pepper plantations, colonial buildings, and natural attractions such as Bokor National Park and Kep Beach.
15 - Cambodia has many beautiful beaches along its coastline and islands.
Some of the most popular ones are:
Otres Beach: A long and quiet beach near Sihanoukville that offers clear water, soft sand, and stunning sunsets.
Sokha Beach: A private and pristine beach owned by Sokha Beach Resort that features fine white sand, calm water, and luxurious amenities.
Lazy Beach: A secluded and serene beach on Koh Rong Samloem island that is ideal for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Long Set Beach: A gorgeous beach on Koh Rong island that is famous for its bioluminescent plankton that glow in the dark at night.
Koh Thmei Beach: A remote and untouched beach on Koh Thmei island that is part of Ream National Park and home to diverse wildlife.
Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate, with two distinct seasons: dry and wet.
The dry season lasts from November to April and is characterized by hot and sunny weather with occasional cool breezes.
The wet season lasts from May to October and is marked by heavy rainfall, high humidity, and thunderstorms.
The average temperature ranges from 21°C (70°F) to 35°C (95°F) throughout the year.
The hottest months are March and April, while the coolest months are December and January.
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the current weather today, Monday, October 2, 2023 in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, is partly sunny with a temperature of 27°C.
The precipitation chance is 70%, and the sunrise time is 5:49 AM and the sunset time is 5:50 PM.
The high temperature for today is 31°C and the low temperature is 25°C.
The forecast for the next 5 days shows that there will be thunderstorms from tomorrow until October 6th, followed by rain showers or rain until October 12th.
The high temperatures will range from 31°C to 34°C and the low temperatures will range from 24°C to 26°C.
19 - here are some suggestions for what you should pack for Cambodia:
Clothing: You should pack lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect the sun and keep you cool.
You should also pack comfortable sandals or shoes, as you will be walking a lot.
For women, a long, lightweight scarf is useful for covering your shoulders and knees when entering temples or other religious sites.
You should also avoid wearing anything too revealing or tight, as Cambodia is a conservative and mostly Buddhist country.
You can buy some local clothing, such as cotton krama scarves or silk skirts, when you arrive.
Accessories: You should pack a windproof travel umbrella, as it can rain at any time of the year in Cambodia.
You should also pack a reusable water bottle, as the tap water is not safe to drink and you will need to stay hydrated.
A universal power adapter is also essential, as Cambodia uses different types of electrical outlets.
A neck wallet or a money belt is a good way to carry your valuables and documents, such as your passport, cash, and credit cards.
Health and hygiene: You should pack some hand sanitizing wipes, as soap and water may not always be available.
You should also pack some activated charcoal or other medication for stomach issues, as you may get sick from the food or water.
A powerful sunscreen and a long-lasting deodorant are also recommended, as Cambodia is very hot and humid.
A silk sleeping bag liner is also handy for sleeping on buses or in questionable guesthouses.
I hope this helps you prepare for your trip to Cambodia. 😊
Cambodia Flag History Currency Cities Landmarks Tourism population
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