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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.
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