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GEOGRAPHY
The Cambodia has an area of about 181,305 squares kilometres, bordered to the north by Thailand and Laos, to the east and the south by Vietnam, to the west by the gulf of Cambodia.
The country has a 2,572 km long land boundary and 443 km of coastline. A map of Cambodia is available. The terrain is mostly low, flat plains with mountains in the south-west and north. Natural resources include timber, gemstones, manganese, phosphates and hydropower potential. Much of Cambodia is relatively flat with vast tracts of land given over to rice production. Other areas of Cambodia are mountainous, including the Dangrek, Cardomen and Elephant mountain ranges.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES: Cambodia, Kingdom of Cambodia, Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea, Kampuchea
CLIMATE
Cambodia lies in a tropical zone between 10 and 14 degree of latitude north the equator. The temperature is fairly uniform throughout the year and averages 25 degree centigrade (77 degree Fahrenheit). Cambodia's temperatures range from 21° to 35°C (69° to 95°F) and experiences tropical monsoons. The relative humidity is higher at night and usually in excess of 90 percent, during the day the average humidity is 80 percent. It has two distinct seasons. The rainy season, which runs from May to October, can see temperatures drop to 22 °C and is generally accompanied with high humidity. The dry season lasts from November to April when temperatures can raise up to 40 °C around April. The best months to visit Cambodia are November to January when temperatures and humidity are lower. As a tropical country, Cambodia is bathed in almost all year sunshine and has a high average temperature.
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Economy
Cambodia remains a desperately poor country whose economic recovery is held hostage to continued political unrest and factional hostilities. The country's immediate economic challenge is an acute financial crisis that is undermining monetary stability and preventing disbursement of foreign development assistance. Cambodia is still recovering from an abrupt shift in 1990 to free-market economic mechanisms and a cutoff in aid from former Soviet bloc countries; these changes have severely impacted on public sector revenues and performance. The country's infrastructure of roads, bridges, and power plants has been severely degraded, now having only 40-50% of prewar capacity. The economy remains essentially rural, with 90% of the population living in the countryside and dependent mainly on subsistence agriculture. Statistical data on the economy continue to be sparse and unreliable.
Since the 1991 Paris Peace Accord, Cambodia’s economy has made remarkable progress after more than two decades of political unrest (Ministry of Planning, 1999). However, Cambodia still remains the poorest and least developed country in Asia, with the gross domestic product per capita estimated at approximately $238 in 2000. The government expenditure on health is $1 per capita. Agriculture, mainly rice production, is still the main economic activity for Cambodia. In addition, small-scale subsistence agriculture, such as fisheries, forestry, and livestock, are still the most important sector, which accounted for about 38 percent of the GDP in 2000. Tourism services are also important components of foreign direct investment.
Communications
Cambodia has 612 km of railroads, 13,351 km of highways and 3,700 km of inland waterways. The ports are in Kampong Saom and Phnom Penh. There are 9 usable airports.
Telecommunication services are barely adequate for government requirements and virtually nonexistent for the general public. International service is limited to Vietnam and other adjacent countries.
LANGUAGES
The Cambodian language is Khmer, which is inherited itself - and advanced in education with application of Indic languages Pali and Sangkrit from India. Some technical languages are borrowed from French. However, English is commonly communicated in hotels and business compounds at present days.
RELIGION
The majority of the people of Cambodia are followers of Thervada and Hinayana school of Buddhism which was introduced to Cambodia between the 13th and 14 centuries and was the state religion until 1975.
People
Nationals of Cambodia are known as Cambodian(s). The primary ethnic group is Khmer (90%) and the predominant religion is Theravada Buddhism (95%). Khmer (official) and French are spoken.
CURRENCY
The unit is the RIELS. Riel denominations are 100, 200 and 500. Exchange rates are subject to fluctuation. US$ are generally accepted throughout the country. In Phnom Penh, some credit cards can be used and limited services and purchasing and cashing traveler cheques.
HOW TO REACH CAMBODIA & ANGKOR WAT
There are direct flights to the capital of Phnom Penh from Bangkok, Hanoi, Hochiminh City, Hong Kong, Kuahlupur, Singapore and Vientiane. From Phnom Penh, one can take direct flights to Siemreap (Angkor), which are now operates on daily basis. Because of its vast architectures and plentiful of myths and informations, visiting of the great Angkor Wat with a knowlegable and well-trained guide is highly recommended and fun. You can enjoy traveling to Angkor Wat .
CAMBODIA VISA
A fifteen-day tourist visa can be obtained at US$ 20 upon arrival at Pochentong Airport. Visitors should bring along at least 4 photos, and sign the visa applications form upon arrival. Visa extensions are possible through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Office of Immigration.
All Foreign Visitors are now able to obtain the Cambodia visa upon arrival at the airport. It is no longer necessary to get the visa stamp at the Cambodian Embassy before your visit. Just prepare the following documents:
A Passport Photocopy
1 photos (3 x 4 cm)
US$ 20 Cash for tourist visa fee (Paid directly to the Immigration)
The Cambodia Visa is issued officially at the following ports of entry:
By Air
Pochentong Airport in Phnompenh
Siemreap Airport (Angkor Wat Region)
Check the airfares and flight schedules here.
By Land
Travelers can travel to/from Cambodia by land through Aranyapathet-Poipet Border and Trat-Koh Kong Border of Thailand and Moc Bai - Bavet Border of Vietnam
Cambodia Visa Validity: 30 days from the date of issue, *NOT* from the date of entry.
Visa Extension
Travelers who would like to prolong their stay in Cambodia may extend their visa at the Department of Immigration situated just opposite the Pochentong Airport. The visa may be extended for 30 days at the cost of USD 25.-
Some travelers have reported that the visa extension for another one month was no longer possible, since the middle of June 2000. If you expect to stay more than a month, better get a Business visa at one shot for USD 25 with three months validity.
Suggested Newsz
Visa-Free Travel Arrangement for Asians (August 2000)
The Cambodian Government has unveiled visa-free travel arrangements with the following Asian countries: Brunei, Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia (Singaporean and Indonesian are not exempted and required visa)
More facts and figures on Cambodia
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