Cambodia Key Facts

Location

South-East Asia.

Time

GMT + 7.

Area

181,035 sq km (69,900 sq miles).

Population

14.2 million (UN estimate 2008).

 

Population Density

81.7 per sq km.

Capital

Phnom Penh. Population: 2 million (2007).

Geography

Cambodia shares borders in the north with Laos and Thailand, in the east with Vietnam and in the southwest with the Gulf of Thailand. The landscape comprises tropical rainforest and fertile cultivated land traversed by many rivers. In the northeast and southeast areas rise highlands. The capital is located at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers. The latter flows from a large inland lake, also called Tonle Sap, situated in the centre of the country. There are numerous offshore islands along the southwest coast.

Government

Constitutional monarchy since 1993.

Head of State

King Norodom Sihamoni since 2004.

Head of Government

Prime Minister Hun Sen since 1985.

Recent History

The authoritarian, extreme-left Cambodian People's Party remained in government following the 2003 elections, in coalition with the FUNCINPEC party led by Prince Rannaridh. In October 2004, King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated due to old age and frail health, without a clear succession. Last-minute legislation had to be administered since the constitution did not permit abdication and, eventually, the nine-member Throne Council appointed his son, Norodom Sihamoni, as the new king. King Norodom Sihamoni has vowed to remain politically neutral and open to ideas from all Cambodians.

Language

Khmer is the official language and spoken by 95% of the population. Chinese and Vietnamese are also spoken. French was widely spoken until the arrival of the Pol Pot regime and is still taught in schools, but English is now a more popular language to learn among the younger generation.

Religion

95% Buddhist (Theravada), the remainder Muslim and Christian. Buddhism was reinstated as the national religion in 1989 after a ban on religious activity in 1975.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are in use. Power cuts are frequent.

Social Conventions

Sensitivity to politically-related subjects in conversation is advisable. Avoid pointing your foot at a person or touching someone on the head. Women should keep their shoulders covered and not wear shorts when visiting pagodas.

Photography: Permitted, with certain restrictions, such as the photographing of military installations, airports and railway stations. It is polite to ask permission before photographing Cambodian people, especially monks.