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The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly known as Kampuchea, Khmer: ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា or Preăh Réachéa Nachâk Kâmp$5;chéa, derived from the Indian language of Sanskrit Kambujadesa, is a country in Southeast Asia that borders Thailand to the west and northwest, Laos to the north, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the south. The geography of Cambodia is dominated by the Mekong River (Khmer: Tonle Thom (ទន្លA533;?ធំ) or "the great river") and the Tonlé Sap (ទន្លA533;?សាប; "the fresh water lake").
The kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with Norodom Sihamoni as king who has reigned since 2004. Phnom Penh is the kingdom's capital and largest city, and is the center of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. Siem Reap, a city located near the famous ruins of Angkor Wat is the gateway to the Angkor region, and is Cambodia's main destination for tourism. Battambang, the largest city in western Cambodia, is known for its rice production, and Sihanoukville, a coastal city, is the primary sea port and beach resort.
Cambodia has an area of 181,035 square kilometres (69,898 sq mi) and a population of over 14 million ethnic Khmer. A citizen of Cambodia is usually identified as "Cambodian" or "Khmer", though they strictly refer to ethnic Khmers. Most Cambodians are Theravada Buddhists, but the country also have a minority number of Muslim Cham, as well as ethnic Chinese, Vietnamese and small animist hill tribes.
Agriculture has long been the most important sector to the Cambodian economy, with around 59% of the population relying on agriculture for their livelihood (with rice being the principal crop). Other important sectors include garments, construction and tourism - foreign visitors to Angkor Wat numbered more than 4 million in 2007. In 2005, oil and natural gas deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, and once commercial extraction begins in 2011, the oil revenues could profoundly affect Cambodia's economy.
Agriculture has long been the most important sector of the Cambodian economy, with around 59% of the population relying on agriculture for their livelihood (with rice being the principal crop). Garments, tourism, and construction are also important, yielded, foreign visitors to Angkor Wat numbered more than 4 million. In 2005, oil and natural gas deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, and once commercial extraction begins in 2011, the oil revenues could profoundly affect Cambodia's economy. Observers fear much of the revenue could end up in the hands of the political elites if not monitored correctly.
Kingdom of Cambodia
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Capital (and largest city) | Phnom Penh 11°33′N 104°55′E |
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Official language(s) | Khmer | |
Demonym | Khmer or Cambodian | |
Government | Constitutional monarchy, Parliamentary representative democracy | |
King | Norodom Sihamoni | |
Prime Minister | Hun Sen | |
Area Total | 181,035 km2 69,898 sq mi | |
Area Water | 2.5% | |
Population(2009 estimate) | 14,805,000 | |
Cambodia religiosity | Buddhism 95% Islam 3% Christianity 2% | |
Currency | Riel (banknotes and coins) (=07;) (KHR) | |
Time zone | (UTC+7) | |
Drives on the | right | |
Internet TLD | .kh | |
Calling code | 855 |
City and province sizes
On 22 December 2008, King Norodom Sihamoni signed a Royal Decree that changed the municipalities of Kep, Pailin and Sihanoukville into provinces, as well as adjusting several provincial borders.
No. | City or province |
Area | ||
km² | sq mi | |||
1 | Capital of Phnom Penh | 290 | 112 | |
2 | Kandal Province | 3,568 | 1,378 | |
3 | Takeo Province | 3,563 | 1,376 | |
4 | Kampong Cham Province | 9,799 | 3,783 | |
5 | Kampong Thom Province | 13,814 | 5,334 | |
6 | Siem Reap Province | 10,299 | 3,976 | |
7 | Preah Vihear Province | 13,788 | 5,324 | |
8 | Oddar Meancheay Province | 6,158 | 2,378 | |
9 | Banteay Meanchey Province | 6,679 | 2,579 | |
10 | Battambang Province | 11,072 | 4,275 | |
11 | Pailin Province | 803 | 310 | |
12 | Pursat Province | 12,692 | 4,900 | |
13 | Kampong Chhnang Province | 5,521 | 2,132 | |
14 | Kampong Speu Province | 7,017 | 2,709 | |
15 | Koh Kong Province | 11,160 | 4,309 | |
16 | Sihanoukville Province | 868 | 335 | |
17 | Kampot Province | 4,873.2 | 1,881.6 | |
18 | Kep Province | 335.8 | 129.7 | |
19 | Prey Veng Province | 4,883 | 1,885 | |
20 | Svay Rieng Province | 2,966 | 1,145 | |
21 | Kratie Province | 11,094 | 4,283 | |
22 | Stung Treng Province | 11,092 | 4,283 | |
23 | Ratanakiri Province | 10,782 | 4,163 | |
24 | Mondulkiri Province | 14,288 | 5,517 | |
25 | Tonlé Sap (Great Lake) | 3,000 | 1,158 | |
TOTAL AREA | 181,035 | 69,898 |