Cambodia

The Kingdom of Cambodia (Kampuchea, Khmer ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រ កម្ពុជា ) is a country in Southeast Asia. It is bordered in the south by the Gulf of Thailand, in the west by Thailand, Laos in the north, and Vietnam in the east. The majority of Cambodians are the Khmer people. Cambodia has one of the highest birth rates in the world and is ranked sixty-fifth in population and eighy-seventh in Area. Cambodia was a protectorate of France until the independence in 1953. The country is a constitutional monarchy. The national language is Khmer, a member of the Mon-Khmer subfamily of the Austroasiatic language group.

Kingdom of Cambodia
ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រ កម្ពុជា
Preăh Réachéa Nachâkr Kâmpŭchea

(Cambodian Flag) (Cambodian coat of arms)
National Motto Nation, Religion, King
Official language	Khmer
Capital	Phnom Penh
Largest city	Phnom Penh
King	Norodom Sihamoni
Prime Minister	Hun Sen
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 87th 181,040 km² 2.5%
Population  - Total (Year)  - Density	Ranked 65th 13,124,764 72.5/km²
Independence  - Declared  - Recognised	from France November 9, 1953
Currency	Riel ៛
Time zone	UTC +7
National anthem	"Nokoreach"
Internet TLD	.kh
Calling Code	855</small>
Country Code (ISO 3166-1)
alpha-2	KH
alpha-3	KHM
numeric	116

Origins of name

The name Cambodia is derived from the name (? of Hindi origin) Kambuja.

Since the the idependence from France in 1953 the name Cambodia has gone several changes including:

• Kingdom of Cambodia (Royaume du Cambodge)
• Khmer Republic under the rule of Lon Nol from 1970 to 1975
• Democratic Kampuchea under the Khmer Rouge (Communists) from 1975 to 1979
• The Republic of Kampuchea when Vietnamese forces beat the Khmer Rouge from 1979 to 1989
• State of Cambodia (L'Etat du Cambodge, in Khmer: Roet Kampuchea) from 1989 to 1993
• The Kingdom of Cambodia was brought back to use as the official name in 1993 after the monarchy was restored

Uses of names

Although the name "Kamphucea" was used introduced by the Khmer Rouge it is still used today locally. Almost no one uses "Cambodia" when talking in Khmer language. Other names equal in popularity used by Khmers to mean their country could include: "Srok Khmaa" (Khmer state or State of Cambodia), "Prateh Khmaa" (Khmer nation or Cambodian nation)

History

Main article: History of Cambodia

The first known advanced civilizations in Cambodia appear in first millennium AD, and from the 9th to 13th century, the Khmer civilization flourished here.

French Colonial

After centuries of territorial and population losses to neighboring Siam and Vietnam, Cambodia was made French protectorate in 1863, and became part of French Indochina. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, the Cambodians declared independence on the 9 November 1953.

The Seventies

During the War in Indochina (1946-1975), the Richard Nixon administration of the United States conducted massive bombing campaigns against Cambodia. In 1970, General Lon Nol seized power and declared the Khmer Republic. The government was opposed by the nationalist and communist Khmer Rouge, which had gathered strength because of popular resentment against the U.S. bombing campaigns. The Khmer Rouge captured Phnom Penh in 1975 and renamed the country Kampuchea. Approximately 1.7 million people died during their three year social revolution.

A 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge from power and into pockets along the western border with Thailand. A further 13 years of sporadic fighting took place before UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normality. A coalition government, formed after national elections in 1998, brought renewed political stability and the surrender of remaining Khmer Rouge forces. None of the Khmer Rouge leaders have been tried and convicted of crimes committed during the three years in which they held power.

Government and Politics

Cambodia's former King, Norodom Sihanouk was an important person in Cambodia politics, he also holds the record for the most amount of different political positions.

Main article: Politics of Cambodia

The country had gone under turbulent events under the mid-seventies and later, somewhat in the early nineties where elections were finally brought in for the first time in almost 2 decades and later again in the mid to late nineties were elections. Despite all this in recent years, the country is steadily gaining its much needed stability and peace. One sign of this was the smooth transition of power from from a monarch to his son.

Up until October 7, 2004, the country was reigned over by Norodom Sihanouk who was reinstated as king again in September 1993. Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy - the role of the King is not to rule but to reign. The current ruling party is the CPP (Cambodian People's Party), the head of government is Hun Sen. Cambodia is a member of the United Nations and ASEAN. The country has regained some political stability in recent years, since the Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s.

On October 7, 2004, King Sihanouk's son Prince Norodom Ranariddh announced to the National Assembly that his father had abdicated. Senate President Chea Sim took over as interim head of state while a nine-member throne council met to choose a successor from among candidates with sufficiently royal blood. On October 14 the throne council appointed Prince Norodom Sihamoni, another of Sihanouk's 14 children, to be the new King.

Organizations

Cambodia belongs to these major organizations:

Provinces

Main article: Provinces of Cambodia

Cambodia is divided into 20 provinces (kaeyte, singular and plural) and 3 municipalities* (krong, singular and plural) it is also divided by District (Srok), Communion (Khum), Greater districts (Khaet) and Sangkat:

Cities (Krong)

• Phnom Penh
• Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville)
• Pailin
• Kep

Province (Khet)

• Banteay Mean Cheay
• Battambang
• Kampong Cham
• Kampong Chhnang
• Kampong Spoe
• Kampong Thum
• Kampot
• Kandal
• Kaoh Kong
• Krachen
• Mondol Kiri
• Otdar Mean Cheay
• Pouthisat
• Preah Vihear
• Prey Veng
• Rotanah Kiri
• Siem Reab
• Stoeng Treng
• Svay Rieng
• Takev

Geography and climate

Main article: Geography of Cambodia

A monk walking in front of the Royal palace in Phnom Penh

Cambodia is about 181,040 square kilometers, sharing a 800-kilometer border with Thailand on north and west, a 541-kilometer border with Laos on northeast, and a 1,228- kilometer border with Vietnam on east and southeast. It has 443 kilometers of coastline along the Gulf of Thailand.

The most salient topographical feature is the lacustrine plain formed by the inundations of Tonle Sap (Great Lake), measuring about 2,590 square kilometers during the dry season to about 24,605 square kilometers during the rainy season. This densely populated plain, which is devoted to wet rice cultivation, constitutes the heartland of Cambodia. Most (about 75 percent) of the country lies at elevations of less than 100 meters above sea level, except for the Cardamon Mountains (highest elevation 1,771 meters), their north-south extension to the east, Elephant Range (elevation range 500-1,000 meters) and the steep escarpment of Dangrek Mountains (average elevation 500 meters) along northern border with Thailand.

Temperatures range from 10°C to 38°C. Cambodia experiences tropical monsoons: southwest monsoon blowing inland in northeasterly direction brings moisture-laden winds from Gulf of Thailand/Indian Ocean from May to October with period of heaviest precipitation September-October; northeast monsoon blowing in southwesterly direction toward coast ushers in the dry season, November to March, with period of least rainfall January-February.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Cambodia

Cambodia's economy slowed dramatically in 1997-1998 due to the regional economic crisis, civil violence, and political infighting. Foreign investment and tourism fell off. In 1999, the first full year of peace in 30 years, progress was made on economic reforms and growth resumed at 5.0%. Despite severe flooding, GDP grew at 5.0% in 2000, 6.3% in 2001, and 5.2% in 2002. Tourism was Cambodia's fastest growing industry, with arrivals up 34% in 2000 and up another 40% in 2001 before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US. Even given these stout growth estimates, the long-term development of the economy after decades of war remains a daunting challenge. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure. Fear of renewed political instability and corruption within the government discourage foreign investment and delay foreign aid. The government is addressing these issues with assistance from bilateral and multilateral donors.

Demographics

Angkor Wat complex, Cambodia

Main article: Demographics of Cambodia

Cambodia is ethnically homogeneous, as more than 90% of its population is of Khmer origin and speaks the Khmer language, the country's official language. National minorities comprise about 3 percent of total population. The Cham, of Islamic faith, are the most significant minority group. Other scattered tribal minorities live in the upland and forested areas. There are also some minor Vietnamese and Chinese populations.

Theravada Buddhism, suppressed by Khmer Rouge, but now revived, is the main religion and other minor religions like Christianity are being gradually introduced into the country.

French is spoken by many Cambodians as a second-language and is often the language of instruction in various schools and universities. It is also frequently used in government. However, in recent decades, many younger Cambodians, as well as members of the business-classes, have favored learning English and it is gradually becoming the more widely-known second-language in the country.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Cambodia

The culture of Cambodia has had a strong influence on the architectural designs of neighbouring countries such as Thailand. The music such as those from 60s and 70s singing legend Sin Sisamouth can never be forgotten, due to the introduction of new types of musical styles by him into the country.

Cambodian calendar

Main article: Public holidays in Cambodia

Cambodia has various special dates and ceremonies that are considered to be a very special part of the Cambodia calendar year:

Note: That these dates may be subject to change

See also

• Architecture of Cambodia
• Cuisine of Cambodia
• Music of Cambodia

Tourism

The tourism industry is one important source of foreign money coming into the country. Tourist attractions such as Angkor Wat in Kompong Spoe, Koah Kong and the French influenced buildings in Phnom Penh are considered to be the top tourist hot spots. Angkor Wat gained some worldwide attention due to the Hollywood industries movie Tomb Raider shot on location at the ruins.

Sports and games

Cambodia has many different games events such as Bonn Om Teuk the annual boat rowing contest, Cockfighting. One of the more westernized sports to have gain considerable popularity is Soccer, Kicking a 'Sey' is also a favourite Cambodian past time.

Diet

Rice, as with other South East Asian countries is the core grain used in the main dishes. Fish is also an important part of the Cambodian diet, this is due to the Tonle Sap holding most of the supplies of fish for the country. Some of the fish can be made in Prahok for longer storage. The averge Cambodian consumes 50kg of fish meat per year.

Timeline

Statue of Jayavarman VII, 12th century, Khmer Empire, Cambodia

• 790: Jayavarman II is crowned King of Cambodia.
• 802: Jayavarman II orders the contruction of the then capital, Angkor
• 1353: The Siamese (Thais) invades Angkor
• 1867: The French invades Cambodia and makes it a Protectorate as part of French Indochina
• 1941: Japanese troops Occupy Cambodia (bis 1945). King Norodom Sihanouk is crowned
• 9 November 1953: Cambodia gains independence from France
• 1955: King Norodom Sihanouk abdicates in favour of his father Norodom Suramarit
• 1965: The United States bombs Cambodia. Between 1965 und 1975 between 700,000 and 1.4 Million Cambodians are injured or die due to the U.S. Bombardements.
• 18 March 1970: General Lon Nol overthrows Sihanouk and starts a republic
• 17 April 1975: The 3 Million citizens from Phnom Penh move into the countrysize, as the Khmer Rouge lead by Pol Pot invade.
• 1976: Cambodia is renamed Democratic Kampuchea.
• 7 January 1979: Vietnamese Troops invade Cambodia to defeat the Khmer Rouge. Heng Samrin is named the head of state.
• 1989: The Vietnamese troops leave
• 1992-1993: Cambodia is monitored by the United Nations with a peacekeeping force (also known as UNTAC "United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia").
• 1993: The Khmer Rouge boycotts the elections
• 24 September 1993: Cambodia is restored as a monarchy, however this time Constitutional. Norodom Sihanouk is crowned as King.
• 1997: Pol Pot dies of natural causes before facing trial.
• 14 October 2004: King Norodom Sihanouk abdicates. His son Norodom Sihamoni is crowned as his successor.

International rankings

• Reporters without borders: Third annual worldwide press freedom index (2004) (http://www.rsf.fr/article.php3?id_article=11715) Cambodia is ranked 109 (Score 36.50) out of the 167 countries listed, equal with Sri Lanka.

Trivia

• The Khmer language (Cambodia's official) consists of both consonants and subscripts. It is also one of the hardest languages to master in writing.

Related topics

• List of Cambodia-related topics
• Communications in Cambodia
• Foreign relations of Cambodia
• Holidays in Cambodia
• Military of Cambodia
• Transportation in Cambodia
• Khmer Empire
• Colonial Cambodia
• Dark ages of Cambodia
• Killing Fields

Notes

¹A figure of three million deaths between 1975 and 1979 was given by the Vietnamese-sponsored Phnom Penh regime, the PRK. Father Ponchaud suggested 2.3 million; the Yale Cambodian Genocide Project (http://www.yale.edu/cgp/) estimates 1.7 million; Amnesty International estimated 1.4 million ; and the United States Department of State, 1.2 million. Khieu Samphan and Pol Pot, who could be expected to give underestimations, cited figures of 1 million and 800,000, respectively.

References and further reading

• CIA World Factbook - U.S. Department of State website
• Elizabeth Becker. 1986, 1998. When the War was Over: Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge. New York: Public Affairs.

External links

Official

• Cambodia.gov.kh (http://www.cambodia.gov.kh/unisql2/egov/khmer/home.view.html) Official Government of Cambodia Website (Khmer Version)
  • Cambodia.gov.kh (http://www.cambodia.gov.kh/unisql1/egov/english/home.frame.html) (English Version)
• King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk (http://www.norodomsihanouk.info) Official Website of former King Norodom Sihanouk

Other

• BongThom.com (http://www.BongThom.com) Website with information on the language, food, employment and culture
• Khmer people online (http://www.khmer.org) Online Khmer community
• Artweise.de (http://www.artweise.de/kambodscha/index.htm) German website with photos from Cambodia
• Santepheap (http://pookaibooks.org/weblog/) A Cambodian weblog
• Tales of Asia (http://www.talesofasia.com/) Private Website about Cambodia
• LICADHO (http://www.licadho.org/) A Cambodian human rights NGO

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Brunei | Cambodia | Indonesia | Laos | Malaysia | Myanmar | Philippines | Singapore | Thailand | Vietnam
Observer status: Papua New Guinea

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