GEOGRAPHY
Kampuchea , Cambodia , Khmer and ANGKOR are all names associated with a single Asian civilization renowned for its art and architecture. Kambujadesa or Kambuja is a Sanskrit name for the modern country of Cambodia . The word derives from a tribe in north India and is associated with Kambu, the legendary founder of Khmer civilization. European transliterations of Kambuja become Cambodge in French and Cambodia in English, which is the name of this Southeast Asian country today. - Its inhabitants, the Cambodians or Khmers speak Khmer, which is part of Autro-nesian language group. The modern capital is Phnom Penh , located in the south some 320 kms from the ancient capital of Angkor in the Siem Reap province. The name Angkor derives from the Sanskrit word Nagara ( Holy City ). Modern-day Cambodia is bordered by Thailand to the west, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the south and southeast, and Gulf of Thailand to the west. The country's land area is 181,035 square kilometers.
FOOD FACTS
In Cambodia , 90% of the population depends on their own agriculture. Their main source of food is rice, which they grow only once a year. This is only through the rainy season, which starts in May and ends in October. The Cambodian's only grow enough rice to feed 85% of their population with about 2 meals a day. The rice grown is 90% rice paddy and 10% glutinous rice.
CLIMATE:
Cambodia has tropical weather, which makes the country very warm and humid. The maximum temperature ranges from 26.5oc to 27.5oc (April is the hottest month) and the minimum temperature ranges from 24oc to 26.5oc (December is the coolest month). These temperatures can vary in mountainous and plateau areas. Because Cambodia 's seasons are affected by monsoons they are not too hot or too cool. In Cambodia , the temperature changes less than 4c, through out the year so it is very suitable for tourists.
Cambodia has two main seasons:
- Dry season: From November to April, affected by dry wind, which blows from Siberi (Northeast Monsoon).
- Rainy season: From May to October, affected by wind bringing rain, which blows from the sea to the continent (Southwest Monsoon). The two seasons might change a little from year to year and area to area.
SOCIETY, GOVERNMENT AND CONTROL
The Kingdom of Cambodia is a nation rich in tradition, archeological treasures and natural beauties. During the glory of the great Angkor period and in the recent past, the nation experienced decades of warfare and political instability. Most of the society and infrastructure were neglected or destroyed. At last we restored our monarchy and began a new government after the National Election in 1993. Following the restoration of the new government, tourists began to visit Cambodia . As more and more tourists arrived, the nation began to develop its own infrastructure, re-train the human resources and other areas to serve the visitors. Cambodia governs the country as do other democracy countries, we have the King who ruled from one generation to another excepting 1970 to 1992. But now, the king is under constitutional law.
RELIGION
The religion governed the concept and execution of all Khmer art and architecture is enhanced by an understanding of the religious beliefs of the Khmers. According to belief, when a person died his soul was reincarnated and his spirit became free. The former religious practices, which were adopted in Cambodia at a later date recognized a common belief in rebirth , the idea that one is born again and again in different forms. At the present time, 90% of the Cambodian people are of the Buddhist religion. Hinduism for the most part has gone away.
NATIONAL ECONOMY:
At the present time, the Cambodian economy receives donations from other foreign countries. Tourist visas, Angkor tickets and import taxes also help. The Cambodian government does not take taxes from rice-field or farmland of the people.
TRAVEL SERVICES:
Combodia has two international airports that can land from abroad, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airport. Cambodia has nine other airports. These airports are scatter throughout the nation.
INTERNATIONAL BORDER CROSSINGS:
Cambodia shares overland border crossings with Thailand at Poipet, Koh Kong, O'smach, Pailin, Kam Reang and Unlung Veng checkpoint. Cambodia shares an overland border crossing with Vietnam at Bavet and Moc Bai checkpoint.Cambodia shares an overland border crossing with Lao country at Voeung Kam checkpoint.
VISAS AT OVERLAND BORDER CROSSINGS
TRANSIT VISAS
As long as your passport has not expired, Cambodia visas can be obtained at the border crossing checkpoints with Thailand , Vietnam and Laos . The price of a Cambodian Visa is 20 USD and a business visa is 25 USD and may be used 30 days in Cambodia .
BANKING AND MONEY:
Riels are used as the Cambodian currency. The Riel notes start from 100 and go all the way to 100,000. The notes are as follows: 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000. The Exchange rate is 1 USD = 4,000Riel. US dollars are a widely used currency in Cambodia , but you will need some Cambodian Riels to make small purchases. 500 and 1000 Riels note are the most common and useful denominations. Hotels and most restaurants set prices in US dollars. Some places accept credit cards and traveler cheque. Master Card and American Express are coming into wider use. Most businesses charge a 2% to 4% fee to accept credit cards.
COMMUNICATION:
Cambodian country calling country code is 855. International calls run less than $3 per minute. Local calls are 500 Riel/ minute and domestic long distances are $1 per minute. Some of the Internet places offer very inexpensive Internet phone service.
MATERIALS AND CLOTHES:
Cambodia is a hot country so you do not need to bring winter clothing with you. Wear light, airy, clothing to protect yourself from the sun. The sun can be intense so bring a hat, and sunglasses. Carry an umbrella or raincoat with you during the wet season, wear practical shoes for climbing narrow steps and walking on uneven surfaces. Photographers should prepare for very bright light outdoor and heavily shadowed indoor photography, bring very low and high ASA films, a lens sun shield and a couple of extra batteries.
HOW TO GIVE A TIP
Tip is not original Cambodian tradition because of their salary is low for each month so you should give a tip to them if they take care you well and good services. .
WORKING HOUR
Cambodian offices and others start to open their offices at 7:30AM to 11:30AM. Resting at afternoon to start it again at 14:00PM to 17:00PM closed Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Cambodia standard time is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. It is in the same time zone as Vietnam , Laos and Thailand .
KHMER LANGUAGE:
The Khmer, or Cambodian language is in the family of Mon-Khmer can contact with each other understanding in Cambodia as North-east of Thailand and South of Vietnam that arranged a group in Austro-Asiatic language. the Khmer language has 33 consonant sounds and 23 vowel sounds that are extracted from Sanskrit and Pali words.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FRENCH PROTECTORATE:
The beginning of French involvement in Cambodia is to be found in the eighteenth century under Cambodian King DUANG'S reign in 1840-1859. King Duang sought the French support in an attempt to protect Cambodia and to establish trading. The King saw French Expansion into Vietnam as an opportunity for the king to regain territory that Cambodia had lost to the Vietnam is 21 provinces in the south of Vietnam today, KAMPUCHEA KROM or Lower Cambodia . The French interest in Cambodia deepened with its involvement began to rule and colonial on Cambodia in 1863-1953.
KHMER CIVIL WAR:
The Khmer civil war began to fight each other in 1970-1975 under General LON NOL was supported by the United States .
KHMER ROUGE ERA:
The Khmer Rouge army leaded by General POL POT won the war in 1975 and killed many owner people, more than a million from 1975-1979.
CAMBODIA SINCE 1979:
The Vietnamese military invaded Cambodia in 1979 and chased the POL POT army to encamp along the Thai-Cambodian border. The Vietnamese army ruled Cambodia from 1979-1989.
UNITED NATION'S INVOLVEMENT:
According to the Paris agreement in October 23, 1990. Khmer and Khmer joined together and United Nation's personal sent some 13,000 soldiers and over 7,000 civilians including detachments of police to Cambodia to hold election in 1993.
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