Welcome to Cambodia

Cambodia fact file
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Population of Phnom Penh:
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Kingdom of Cambodia
Nation- Religion-King
Phnom Penh (built in 1372 by a wealthy lady known
as Lady Penh)
Constitutional Monarchy
Siem Reap (gateway to the temples of Angkor),
Sihanoukville (port and beach town), Kampong Cham
Tonle Sap river, Mekong river, Bassac river, Tonle Sap Lake
Sihanouk Ville (Kampong Som)
Phnom Penh, Siem Reap
The Official language Khmer, Secondarily English and French, follow by Chinese
Khmer(90-95%), ethnic -Chinese, Cham, ethnic-Vietnamese, several hill tribes in the northeast.
The national religion is Buddhism or Theravada Buddhism (95%), Islam, Christianity, Animism
13.1 million(2001 est).
181,035km
~2,000,000
357km2
Riel is an official currency (US$1=~4100R).
US dollars are as commonly used as riel
Standard Voltage is 220v/50Hz
Cambodia is GMT +7 hours
7:30- 11:30 / 2:00-5:00 close Saturday afternoon and Sunday
 
Cambodia History
Cambodia’s modem-day culture has its roots in the 1st to 6th centuries in a state referred to as Funan, know as the oldest Indianized state in southeast Asia. It is from this period that evolved Cambodia’s language, part of the Mon-khmer family, which contains elements of Sankrit, its ancient religion of Hinduism and Buddhism. Historians have noted, for examples, that Cambodians can be distinguished from their neighbors by their clothing – checkered scarves know as kramas are worn instead of straw hats.

Funan gave way to the Ankor Empire with the rise to power of king jayavarman II in 802. The following 600 year saw powerful khmer kings dominate much of present day Southeast Asia, from the border of Myanmar east to the South China sea and north to Loas. It was during this period that khmer king built the most extensive concentration of religious temple.
Complex. The most successful of Angkor’s king, jayavarman II, Indravarman I,Suryavarman II and Jayavarman VII, also devised a masterpiece of ancient engineering: a sophisticated irrigation system that includes barays(gigantic man-made lakes) and canals that ensured as many as three rice crops a year. Part of this system is still in use today.

As the Angkor period ended, Cambodia’s capital moved south to Longvek, then to Longvek, then to Udong, and finally to the present-day capital of Phnom Penh. Among the main features of the capital, was a widespread conversion to Theravada Buddhism, illustrated on temple carvings, where Buddhist features gradually replaced Hindu features.

The 15th to 17th centuries represented a time of foreign influence, when expansionists Siam and Vietnam fought over Cambodia.

By the mid- 1800, like most other countries in Asia, came under increasing pressure from European colonial powers. In 1863, the country agreed to protection From France. King Norodom signed a protectorate Treaty between king Norodom and the French.
 
Geography of Cambodia
The Geographical framework of Cambodia found bordered by the Gulf of Siam to the south, Thailand to the west, Laos to the north and Vietnam to the east and southeast. Its main artery is the Mekong valley, which crosses from north to south. This joined at Phnom Penh by the Tonle Sap (Great Lake central part of Cambodia), spreading to the northwest in a large plain of water that extends for some 140 kilometers by 30 and irrigates the surrounding plains.
 
Local food
Rice an fish are the sample diet and the harvest is regulated by the rhythm or the rains and flood. The fist are plentiful. During the dry season, and entire village is built on Tonle Sap Lake. Their belongings suspended on the poles with rachs of dried fish. There are other many kings of food made of mixed-vegetables cooked by using red meat of pork or seafood.
 
Transportation
There are cars and motorcycles for rent in the city. Rickshaws and taxi’s are also available. Travelers can travel by air, car, boat or train to get from one province to another.
 
Communication
Mobile phones are widely used. Phone cards can be used on both mobile and regular telephones. Public phones with phone card are common in Phnom Penh. Phone card can be purchased at most hotel, post offices and supermarkets.
 
Festivals, Events and feats Holidays in Cambodian

Throughout the year Cambodia enjoys a number of festivals and cultural events, often in conjunction with public holidays.
Most holidays fall on the same dates every year. Some holidays such as Khmer New Year, Visakhaboja, Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Pchum Ben and the water festival follow the lunar calendar and move a few days forward or back each year. Some holidays which are not legal holidays such Chinese New Year receive almost as much attention and celebration as legal holidays.
To visit the country during these festivities is always thrilling and fascinating. Notably the Khmer Water Festival with the annual boat races is truly spectacular. So when you are planning you should always check the cultural agenda. Another reason to important to see the Cambodian cultural calendar is that during these days also Cambodians like to travel and enjoy themselves at the various tourist sites in the country. Therefore any reservations for hotels and flights please must be made well in advance so that we can ensure you of the best services that you require.
The major events are the following:   

01 January
07January        
13 February     
08March          
13-16 April
International New Year’Day
Victory day over Genocide (from Pol Pot regime) liberation day
Meak Bochea Day
International women’s Day
Khmer New Year

   The Khmer New Year festival spans three days of celebrations. The Khmers clean and decorate their houses and make offerings at the little sprit houses. Also they visit the temples to pray with the monks. Throughout the country young people play the traditional games and dances wich are always a lot of fun. In Phnom Penh there are performance in the city center and fireworks. People also splash water and powder on each other and even on strangers along the road for wishing good luck (and for having a good laugh as well).
It is one of the major celebrations in Cambodia.
01May            International Labor Day
12May            Bon Visaka Bochea Day (Birthday of Buddha)
13-14-15 May King's Birthday (His Majesty Peash Bat Samdech Preash
                     Boromneath NORODOM SIHAMONI's birthday)
16May            Royal Ploughing Ceremony (Bonn Chroat Preah Neangkoal)
   The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient tradition which has been handed down from the time of Angkor Wat. At the holy grounds next to the Royal Palace, the representatives of the King together with Brahmin priests will perform a ritual plowing ceremony by which the Brahmin priests will make their predictions for the nest planting and harvesting season. The ceremony is very interesting as one can observe the traditional dresses and also of the sacred bulls that perform the ritual.
01June            International Children’s Day
18June            Former Queen's Birthday of Samdech Preahreach AkeakMohesey
                      Norodom Monineath Sihanouk
24September   Constitution Day
29 September  Pchum Ben festival
October           Beginning of Bonn Kathen
23 October      Signing of the Parish Peace agreement on Cambodia
29 October      Coronation Day
31 Oct-01 Nov  King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk’s Birthday
09 November   Independent Day
10-12 Nov        Water and Moon festival (Bonn Om Touk) the annual long boat
races. This is the traditional celebration of the start of the harvest season. The main event during these days is the 3 day long boat races where dozens of pirogues (long canoes with 50 helmsmen) from all over the country speed along the waters of Tonle Sap river in front of Royal Palace to compete for the grand prize, watched from morning until the evening by huge crowds along the river. In the beautiful evening many marvelous decorated lights of symbol of all ministries and big government institutions floats cross the river in frond of Royal Palace and fireworks draws over ten thousands of spectators.
November Ramayana Festival at Angkor Wat
   This is the annual festival where the ancient legend of the Ramayana is performed by troupes not only from Thailand but also from other South East Asian countries. The shows are held in the evening at the Angkor Wat temple. The music and the overall atmosphere, provide an unforgettable experience. (For those who want to enjoy this festival, reservation must be made well in advance).
10 December   Human Rights Day
December       Siem Reap half Maraton
 

Climate/Temperature

Situated in the tropical zone, the sun shines over Cambodia all year round.
Every year the weather range from 250C to 300C with an average temperature of 270C. The hottest day of the hot season rarely climb above 35 0C and the cool season may push the mercury as low as 160C. There are two main season: dry season (from November to April) and raining seasons (monsoon from May to October). Each season brings about a refreshing change.

But in some practically speaking, Cambodia has four seasons:1/ November-January, cool/dry;/2 February-April hot/dry, 3/May-August, hot/wet;4/ September-October; cool/wet.. The monsoons between May and October follow a regular pattern, clear mornings which 1-3 hour rains in the afternoon. The regularity of the wet season rains makes them easy to plan around.
 

Visas and Entry Requirement
A passport with at least six months validity is required. A visa is required for most nationalities one month-visa are valuable
Vaccinations are not required. One-month Visas are available on arrival at the international airports in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Tourist Visa: US$20. Business Visa: US$25. 1 photo required. Visa application form will be provided on inbound flights. Visas are also available at Thai/ Cambodian Overland border crossings tourist: 1000baht, business 1500baht. Tourist visas can be extended for one month, but only one time. Business visas can be renewed indefinitely. Renew visas through a travel agent or the 'Department for Foreigners'.
 
To and From Cambodia
The majority of visitors fly into the international airport at either Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. A growing number are also arriving overland from Thailand and Vietnam.
 
CONTACT ADDRESS:
CAMBODIA OFFICE
#64B, St 221, Phsar Depor III, Khan Toul Kork, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel : 012-484-557, 011-777-783,
Fax : 023-998 224
Email : traveltour@angkorct.com
           studyabroad@angkorct.com
           legal-invest@angkorct.com
           angkorct@yahoo.com
Website : www.angkorct.com
U.S.A OFFICE
1569 E. Anahiem St. #C Long Beach, CA90813
Tel : 562 599 0877
Fax: 562 599 4758
(Closed Tuesday)