CAMBODIA- LAND OF SMILING

Official name: Kingdom of Cambodia

Capital:

Phnom Penh, with a population of 1.3 million.

Location:

The kingdom of Cambodia is situated in the Mekong sub-region, bordered by Thailand to the west and north, Lao to the north, Vietnam to the east and southeast and the gulf of Thailand to the sough-west.

Land Area:

Cambodia has a land area of 181,035 square kilometers, stretching 580 km East-West and 450 km North-South.

Land Division:

Cambodia comprises 24 provinces, including 3 municipalities, 183 districts, 1609 communes and 13,406 villages.

Geography:

Cambodia has a distinct geographical personality, it is a wide basin of mainly flat farmland, lakes and rivers, surrounded by mountain highlands bordering Laos and Vietnam to the north and east. By far the most important river in Cambodia is the Mekong, which passes through the country for about 500 kilometers in a north-south direction. The Mekong is navigable for larger ships from its delta in Vietnam until Phnom Penh and for smaller local craft along all its length except sometimes during the dry season.
Southeast Asia’s largest lake, Tonlè Sap, is in Cambodia and is connected to the Mekong by a short river, also called Tonlè Sap. For most of the time this river flows from Tonlè Sap Lake into the Mekong. However, during the South East Asian rainy season from June to October when the Mekong drains large areas of South East Asia and carries tremendous water capacity, the Tonlè Sap River reverses its flow so that water flows back into the Tonlè Sap Lake thus causing enormous floods in area surrounding the lake. During this time, Tonlè Sap Lake can swell to more than twice of its normal size. During particularly wet season when high levels of water flows into the Mekong from Laos in the north combine with storms creating higher water levels south in Vietnam, Cambodia is often caught in between with periods of disastrous flooding over its low lying land. Central Cambodia is mainly fertile plain with small hills. Despite the regular flooding of the low farmlands, the silt left behind makes this land particularly fertile for rice and crop planting which are the main agricultural commodities and provide a basic living for about 80% of the population.
Mountain ranges in the shape of a semicircle form a natural boundary with Thailand. In the West are the Cardamon Mountains (designated after the spice of the same name), in the southwest the Elephant Mountains and to the north the Dangrek Mountains ranges. The highest mountain in Cambodia is Phnom Aura in the Cardamon ranges, at a height of 1,813 meters. These mountain ranges are only sparsely populated and are comparatively densely covered with forest from which a large timber industry has operated.

Population:

Approximately 11.7 million. Ethnically the population consists of about 90 percent Khmer, 5 percent each of Chinese and Vietnamese and a small number of hill tribes. Half of the population is under 18.

Religion:

The official religion is Theravada Buddhism. Ninety percent of Khmer are of this religion. The country also has minority religions of about half a million Muslims, and Christian.

Climate:

Cambodia has two main seasons: the dry season, from November to May and the rainy season, the Monsoon, from June to October. The hot season is from March to May.

Temperature:

The average temperature is 32oC in Phnom Penh with a peak in April (35-40oC) and a bottom in February.
Temperatures rarely fall below 10oC.

Official Language:

Cambodian (Khmer). Other: English & French.

Currency:

The local currency is Riel although US dollar is widely accepted in Cambodia. The exchange is around 1 USD= 3,800 Riels.

Electricity:

Electricity in Cambodia is 220 volts, 50 Hz. However, the current can be uneven and surge protectors are recommended for sensitive equipment such as laptop computers. Wall sockets use Asian twin round prongs or triple large flat prong style.

Foods & Beverages:

Cambodian main food is rice & fish. Chicken, pork & beef are typical Cambodian dishes. However, fresh water fish supplies 70% of national protein source.

Business Hours:

(GMT +7). Most of offices open from 07:00 till 12:00 and from 14:00 till 17:00, Monday – Friday. Banks run from 08:00 – 15:00.

Khmer Souvenir Shopping:

The Krama (scarf) is one of the best typically Cambodian souvenirs. It is used for bathing, cleaning, protection from the sun and many other uses in Khmer daily lift. Krama has become a popular tourist’s gift along with Khmer silk and silver.

Greetings:

The Cambodian traditionally greet each other with the "Sampiah", which involves pressing the hands together in prayer and bowing. In general the higher the hands and the lower the bow the more respect is shown. In recent decades this custom has been partially replaced by the western practice of shaking hands. But, although men trend to shake hands with each other, women usually use the traditional greeting with both men and women.
Official name: Kingdom of Cambodia

How to get to Cambodia:

By air it is possible to travel to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap from many of the major cities in the region such as Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Kunming, Saigon Vientiane , etc. The number of connection is still growing and travel is becoming increasingly convenient. Domestic carriers are: Royal Phnom Penh Airways, President Airlines & Siem Reap Airways.

Visa/ Visa Fee:

Obtaining a Cambodia visa nowadays is quick and simple. Visitor’s arrival by air can buy a one-month visa on arrival at both Pochentong and Siem Reap airport. However, for travelers arrival overland from Thailand through Poi Pet (Banteay Meanchey) or Cham Yeam (Koh Kong) it is probably more convenient to obtain a visa in advance. Traveler’s arrival overland from Laos or Vietnam must obtain a visa in advance as they can not be obtained at the border. A Tourist visa costs just USD20.00 and can be extended for one month at a time for up to three months.
A business visas costs USD25.00 and can be extended indefinitely. One needs only to pay USD20.00 for a tourist visa. Two passport-size photographs should be submitted with the visa application form.

Hospital/ Health Requirements:

There are some state-owned hospitals, where qualified Cambodian and foreign doctors work. Private clinic also available in major cities.
As in much of the rest of Asia, travelers should have updated immunizations for tetanus, diphtheria, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, gamma globulin and polio. There are significant health risks from cholera, hepatitis, typhoid, and rabies especially in out-lying areas of the country. Taking regular pills to prevent malaria is also an option when travelling outside city areas but your best prevention is to use a good mosquito repellent and wear long sleeve clothing. It is not advisable to drink the local tap water but bottled drinking water is readily available. Most hotels supply daily drinking water free of charge. Supplementary insurance is advisable to cover international medical evacuation in the event of a serious emergency. Provincial Cambodian hospitals are not well equipped by western standard though city hospitals are better equipped and can handle likely emergencies. Purchasing local medications is possible since small pharmacies around.

Public Transportation:

Van and car rental is recommended for touring in the city and the outskirts. A few city buses are available on the certain roads. Cyclo (Tricycle) and motorbike taxi also has in the city.
Festivals/ Holidays

· Mid-April – Chaul Cham ( Khmer new year, 3days, variable date)

· May 1st – Labor Day (International Workers Day).

· Mid to late May – Chat Preah Nengkal (Royal Ploughing Ceremony)

· Late September – P`Chum Ben (All souls Day).

· October 30th & November 1st – His Majesty the King’s Birthday.

· Early November – Bon Om Tuk (Water Festival).

· November 9th – Independent Day.

About Cambodia & Brief History:

Cambodia, home of the architectural wonders of the Angkor wat, Bayon and many other ancient temples. This used to be one of the most charming tourist destinations in Asia. Wonderful ancient temples can be seen all over
the country and not just in the western region where the famous Angkor temples are situated.
Cambodians are well known for their friendliness and the capital Phnom Penh is itself an enchanting city to visit. There are many places of interest and some clearly exuding elegant French-influenced ambience.
The Country went through a rather eventful past, having her name changed many times and eventually regaining her former glory as “ The Kingdom of Cambodia ” 1st Century: “Nokor Phnom” epoch (or Funan), influenced by Indian civilization.
6th-7th Century: “Chen La” epoch; split into two regions9th-13th Century:“ Moha Nokor”epoch; built numerous architecturally splendid temples.
1432: Gave up “ Angkor ”; moved to Phnom Penh to establish Capital.
1516-1564: Moved to “ Long Vek”.
Early 17th Century: Vietnamese kings encroached on Cambodian territory in the Mekong River Delta (Kampuchea Krom mean Lower Cambodia).
By the end of 18th Century: The Thais advanced from the west and annexed much of northwestern Cambodia. Provinces of Siem Reap and Battambang were later returned but some areas northwest of Battambang such as Nokhon Ratchasima, trat, Kisaket, Sorin, Ayuthaya, and so on are still in Thailand today.
From mid 19th Century: Cambodia was a French protectorate (1863 Oudong treaty & 1884 Phnom Penh treaty).
Early 20th Century: French general-governor sent to Indochina, office based in Hanoi and designated to rule five countries: Tongking, Annam, Cochinchine, Cambodia & Laos. Resident Superior Commander assigned to supervise each country or assisted by provincial Resident Administrators.
1940-1945: World War II. Japanese forces came to rule Indochina replacing French rule.
1946: War ended. French administration reoccupied Indochina and implemented new ruling system.
1949: French-Khmer Treaty signed – Cambodian was independent in the framework of Indochina Francaise.
1953: Under the Royal Crusade, Cambodia gained full independence.
1954: French colonialists defeated in Indochina war at Dien Bien Phu.
Geneva Treaty; French colonialists forced to leave Indochina. The country was named Kingdom of Cambodia.
1970-1975: The monarch regime was ousted in a coup launched by a Marshall who named the country as “ Khmer Republic ”.
1975-1979: Khmer Rouge ruled the country, slaughtering millions of Cambodian people. The communist party called the country “ Democratic Kampu-chea ”.
1979-1989: The communist regime was overthrown under the Vietnamese-backed Phnom Penh government, the country was renamed “ People’s Republic of Kampuchea ”.
Mid 1989-1993: The country’s name changed again to “ State of Cambodia ”.
After May 1993 Election arranged by UN: Return to the monarchy and the country got back its name “ Kingdom of Cambodia ”.