Cambodia
Asia · South-Eastern Asia
Overview
Cambodia lies in Southeast Asia, between Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, with a coastline on the Gulf of Thailand. The country was once the center of Khmer civilization and the Khmer Empire, one of the most significant powers in Southeast Asia between the 9th and 15th centuries. In the latter half of the 20th century, the country endured severe trauma under the rule of the Khmer Rouge (1975-1979), whose policies resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1.5 to 2 million people, a historical event that remains deeply significant in Cambodian collective memory. The official language is Khmer, and the majority of the population practices Theravada Buddhism.
Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument complex in the world, built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple and later converted into a Buddhist sanctuary, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992 and appears on Cambodia's national flag. The other temples of Angkor Archaeological Park, including Bayon with its mysterious stone faces and jungle-covered Ta Prohm, form part of the same UNESCO World Heritage site. Phnom Penh, the capital, home to the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, along with the Tuol Sleng (S-21) Genocide Museum, which preserves the memory of Khmer Rouge rule, marks the meeting point of modern and historical Cambodia. Battambang, with its French colonial-era buildings and the nearby Bamboo Railway, made up of simple motorized wooden platforms, offers a less crowded alternative.
Tonlé Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, whose size changes dramatically with the seasons due to monsoon rains, with its floating villages and rich fishing traditions, is a defining feature of Cambodian rural life. The Cardamom Mountains, in the southwestern part of the country, with their rainforest and relatively undisturbed wildlife, including Asian elephants, form an emerging destination for ecotourism. Sihanoukville and its surrounding islands, such as Koh Rong, with their sandy beaches, are the main hubs of coastal tourism. Local cuisine is built around rice and fish, with amok, a steamed fish curry made with coconut milk and served in a banana leaf, as one of Cambodia's best-known dishes.
Map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Angkor
Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings.
Temple of Preah Vihear
Situated on the edge of a plateau that dominates the plain of Cambodia, the Temple of Preah Vihear is dedicated to Shiva. The Temple is composed of a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases over an 800 metre long axis and dates back to the first half of the 11th century AD. Nevertheless, its complex history can be traced to the 9th century, when the hermitage was founded. This site is particularly well preserved, mainly due to its remote location. The site is exceptional for the quality of its architecture, which is adapted to the natural environment and the religious function of the temple, as well as for the exceptional quality of its carved stone ornamentation.
Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk, Archaeological Site of Ancient Ishanapura
The archaeological site of Sambor Prei Kuk, “the temple in the richness of the forest” in the Khmer language, has been identified as Ishanapura, the capital of the Chenla Empire that flourished in the late 6th and early 7th centuries AD. The property comprises more than a hundred temples, ten of which are octagonal, unique specimens of their genre in South-East Asia. Decorated sandstone elements in the site are characteristic of the pre-Angkor decorative idiom, known as the Sambor Prei Kuk Style. Some of these elements, including lintels, pediments and colonnades, are true masterpieces. The art and architecture developed here became models for other parts of the region and lay the ground for the unique Khmer style of the Angkor period.
Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar
The archaeological site of Koh Ker is a sacred urban ensemble of numerous temples and sanctuaries including sculptures, inscriptions, wall paintings, and archaeological remains. Constructed over a twenty-three-year period, it was one of two rival Khmer Empire capitals – the other being Angkor – and was the sole capital from 928 to 944 CE. Established by King Jayavarman IV, his sacred city was believed to be laid out on the basis of ancient Indian religious concepts of the universe. The new city demonstrated unconventional city planning, artistic expression and construction technology, especially the use of very large monolithic stone blocks.
Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection
The property consists of three locations that reflect the human rights abuses of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia from 1971 to 1979. The three component parts represent the widespread violence during this period: the former M-13 prison (early repression), the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (former S-21 prison), and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (former execution site of S-21). These places have been preserved and memorialized since the regime’s fall. The Tuol Sleng Museum maintains extensive archives and collections related to this period, mainly documented by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Cambodia?
The capital of Cambodia is Phnom Penh.
What is the area of Cambodia?
The area of Cambodia is 181,035 km².
What is the population of Cambodia?
The population of Cambodia is 17,638,801.
What is the currency of Cambodia?
The currency of Cambodia is Cambodian riel (KHR), United States dollar (USD).
What is the official language of Cambodia?
The official language of Cambodia: Khmer.
What side of the road does Cambodia drive on?
Cambodia: Right-hand traffic.
Is Cambodia a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Cambodia is a member of the United Nations.