Cambodia
At a glance..
Population: approx 14 million People: 90% Khmer, 5% Vietnamese, 1% Chinese, 4% others Capital City: Phnom Penh (population approx 1.6 million) Language: Khmer Climate: Hot and humid through the year Religion: 95% Buddhist, 5% Cham Muslim Currency: Riel (US are dollars widely used) Time: GMT plus 7 hours Geography Cambodia is a little over half the size of Vietnam, and large central plains and the Mekong River dominate much of the land. Cambodia is also home to the Tonle Sap Lake, linked to the Mekong at Phnom Penh by a 100 kilometre long channel. This lake fills when the river rises, and drains when water levels fall. Not only is the lake home to the world's richest source of freshwater fish, it is also crucial to the livelihood of the Khmers. The lake is fringed to the northeast by the eastern highlands, on the north by the Dangrek Mountains, and on the southwest by the remote and largely uninhabited Kravanh and Damrei mountains. |
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History and politics
Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy and has been since 1993. The head of state since 2004 is King Norodom Sihamoni. The head of government is Prime Minister Hun Sen since 1998. Legislative power belongs to the 120-member National Assembly, which is popularly elected for a term of five years. Executive power is vested in the cabinet of ministers headed by the prime minister. Sensitivity to politically related subjects in conversation is advisable. Between 1975 and 1978, Cambodia (known then by its local name, 'Kampuchea') was subjected to one of the most shocking episodes of genocide in history. The Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot slaughtered about two million of their own people in a bid to create some sort of bizarre Maoist society that did not tolerate any disobedience. They were finally driven out of power by Vietnamese forces, but their painful legacy remains as the country takes its first tenuous strides towards democracy.
Major centres
Phnom Penh : Cambodia's capital, is nestled on the banks of the confluence of two rivers, the Mekong and the Tonle Sap. These rivers then split again as the Mekong and the Tonle Bassac, at a place known to the Khmers as Chaktomuk, meaning four faces. The city was founded as a small monastery in 1372 by the rich Khmer woman Penh, after she had found four Buddha statues in a tree trunk on the banks of the Mekong. She set up the monastery on a hill near the bank of the Mekong. The Cambodian word for hill is Phnom. Therefore the name of the town correctly translates as Hill of Penh. Today Phnom Penh is largely overlooked by many travellers but the city has an undeniable charm in spite its tumultuous and violent past as it emerges as a thriving city. Facilities for travellers are improving on an almost daily basis as new hotels and guesthouses open up, there is also a growing number of restaraunt and cafe precincts developing across the city .The city has a number of great architectural sites including the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum.Remnants of the horror of the Khmer Rouge days can be seen atS21 (Genocide Museum) or the infamous Killing Fields.During the days of the Khmer Rouge regime Phnom Penh became a virtual ghost town but today the population of Phnom Penh continues to grow as Cambodia's vast population of people under the age of 18 swarm to the city from the rural areas in search of work.
Siem Reap: A few kilometres from the temples of Angkor are the town of Siem Reap. Located 250 northwest of Phnom Penh and 15 km north of Tonle Sap Lake this small town is largely used by tourists as a base for visits to the monuments on the World Heritage Angkor complex. The name Siem Reap means 'Siamese Defeated'. The world-famous temples of Angkor constitute one of the world's most magnificent architectural achievements. From Angkor, the kings of the Khmer Empire ruled over a vast territory that extended from the tip of what is now southern Vietnam northward to Yunnan in China, and from Vietnam westward to the Bay of Bengal.
Sihanoukville: Located 230 kilometres southwest of the capital city Phnom Penh on a headland surrounded by pristine beaches overlooking the Gulf of Thailand is the town of Sihanoukville (also known as Kompong Som), Cambodia's only maritime port. Sihanoukville's white sand beaches and warm Gulf of Thailand waters combine with a laid back, beach atmosphere to provide a great seaside retreat. Sihanoukville is a place to unwind by the beach, enjoy the fresh seafood or take in a snorkeling or island trip.
Language
Cambodia's official language is Khmer, and this is spoken by the majority of the population. Khmer is quite a complex language; however, if you make an attempt combined with a big smile you will find the rewards are a massive appreciation by the local people. Unlike the languages of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and China, Khmer is non-tonal. It uses thirty-three consonants, twenty-four dependent vowels, twelve independent vowels, and diacritic markers. Vowels may be written before, after, over, or under a consonant symbol. Unfortunately, 50% of the population is illiterate. French is sometimes understood by the older generation but English is becoming more widely spoken throughout the country, especially in tourist areas.
Customs
Cambodians are generally relaxed and easy going with regard to customs and you would find it difficult to unwittingly offend. The best way to ensure you avoid ofence is to be aware of the actions of the local people around you and follow their lead. There are, however a couple of points, which are worth noting:
Religion
Theravada Buddhism is the religion practised by about 95% of Khmers. It is often referred to as a way of life, or a philosophy, rather than a religion. It advocates moderation in all facets of life and sees material objects as standing in the way of greater happiness. There are also a small number of Muslim communities though out the country.
Public holidays and festivals
Cambodia is renowned for its many public holidays and festival days. During public holidays, banks and all government institutions close down and depending on the festival you may see a either a massive surge of people heading home to their family province or into the major towns to join in celebrations. The main holidays celebrated include:
Chaul Chhnam - Cambodian New Year - follows the end of the harvest season. It generally lasts for three days from 14-16 April during which time Cambodians douse each other liberally with water, clean and decorate their houses, and make offerings at the local temple.
Pchum Ben or Soul Day - Running for 15 days from the end of September into October, and the exact date determined by the lunar calendar, this festival is dedicated to blessing the spirits of the dead, and is one of the most culturally significant in Cambodia. Each household visits their Buddhist temple and offers food to the monks for their assistance in blessing the souls of late ancestors, relatives and friends. Pagodas are crowded with people taking their turn to make offering.
Bonn Kathen - A religious festival when monks come out of retreat, and people all over the country form reverent slow processions to their local temple. Monks change their old saffron robes for the new ones offered by the devotees, an action that brings spiritual merit to all participants. Date decided by lunar calendar.
Birthday of His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk -Held over three days from October 30th, people converge from all areas of Cambodia to enjoy the shows, parades, festivals, and a giant firework display in Phnom Penh.
Independence Day - A national holiday on November 9th to celebrate the independence of Cambodia from France in 1953. A parade is held in front of the Royal Palace, which includes floats, marching bands and other entertaining festive activities.
The Bonn Om Took Water Festival (November) - Celebrating the reversed current of the Tonle Sap River that connects the Tonle Sap Lake with the Mekong. During the rainy season from June to October the Mekong rises, causing the Tonle Sap River to flow in reverse, and the lake to swell to more than twice its regular size. At the end of the rainy season, when the water level of the Mekong drops again, the current reverts and flows back into the Mekong. This event is celebrated with three days of boat races, festivals, and fireworks.
Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy and has been since 1993. The head of state since 2004 is King Norodom Sihamoni. The head of government is Prime Minister Hun Sen since 1998. Legislative power belongs to the 120-member National Assembly, which is popularly elected for a term of five years. Executive power is vested in the cabinet of ministers headed by the prime minister. Sensitivity to politically related subjects in conversation is advisable. Between 1975 and 1978, Cambodia (known then by its local name, 'Kampuchea') was subjected to one of the most shocking episodes of genocide in history. The Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot slaughtered about two million of their own people in a bid to create some sort of bizarre Maoist society that did not tolerate any disobedience. They were finally driven out of power by Vietnamese forces, but their painful legacy remains as the country takes its first tenuous strides towards democracy.
Major centres
Phnom Penh : Cambodia's capital, is nestled on the banks of the confluence of two rivers, the Mekong and the Tonle Sap. These rivers then split again as the Mekong and the Tonle Bassac, at a place known to the Khmers as Chaktomuk, meaning four faces. The city was founded as a small monastery in 1372 by the rich Khmer woman Penh, after she had found four Buddha statues in a tree trunk on the banks of the Mekong. She set up the monastery on a hill near the bank of the Mekong. The Cambodian word for hill is Phnom. Therefore the name of the town correctly translates as Hill of Penh. Today Phnom Penh is largely overlooked by many travellers but the city has an undeniable charm in spite its tumultuous and violent past as it emerges as a thriving city. Facilities for travellers are improving on an almost daily basis as new hotels and guesthouses open up, there is also a growing number of restaraunt and cafe precincts developing across the city .The city has a number of great architectural sites including the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum.Remnants of the horror of the Khmer Rouge days can be seen atS21 (Genocide Museum) or the infamous Killing Fields.During the days of the Khmer Rouge regime Phnom Penh became a virtual ghost town but today the population of Phnom Penh continues to grow as Cambodia's vast population of people under the age of 18 swarm to the city from the rural areas in search of work.
Siem Reap: A few kilometres from the temples of Angkor are the town of Siem Reap. Located 250 northwest of Phnom Penh and 15 km north of Tonle Sap Lake this small town is largely used by tourists as a base for visits to the monuments on the World Heritage Angkor complex. The name Siem Reap means 'Siamese Defeated'. The world-famous temples of Angkor constitute one of the world's most magnificent architectural achievements. From Angkor, the kings of the Khmer Empire ruled over a vast territory that extended from the tip of what is now southern Vietnam northward to Yunnan in China, and from Vietnam westward to the Bay of Bengal.
Sihanoukville: Located 230 kilometres southwest of the capital city Phnom Penh on a headland surrounded by pristine beaches overlooking the Gulf of Thailand is the town of Sihanoukville (also known as Kompong Som), Cambodia's only maritime port. Sihanoukville's white sand beaches and warm Gulf of Thailand waters combine with a laid back, beach atmosphere to provide a great seaside retreat. Sihanoukville is a place to unwind by the beach, enjoy the fresh seafood or take in a snorkeling or island trip.
Language
Cambodia's official language is Khmer, and this is spoken by the majority of the population. Khmer is quite a complex language; however, if you make an attempt combined with a big smile you will find the rewards are a massive appreciation by the local people. Unlike the languages of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and China, Khmer is non-tonal. It uses thirty-three consonants, twenty-four dependent vowels, twelve independent vowels, and diacritic markers. Vowels may be written before, after, over, or under a consonant symbol. Unfortunately, 50% of the population is illiterate. French is sometimes understood by the older generation but English is becoming more widely spoken throughout the country, especially in tourist areas.
Customs
Cambodians are generally relaxed and easy going with regard to customs and you would find it difficult to unwittingly offend. The best way to ensure you avoid ofence is to be aware of the actions of the local people around you and follow their lead. There are, however a couple of points, which are worth noting:
- Show consideration if you wish to take photographs or enter Buddhist temples.
- Monks are not allowed to touch or be touched by women or even handed things directly by a woman.
- When sitting in a temple your feet should not be pointed in the direction of the Buddha image.
- Patting someone (even a child) on the head or pointing your index finger is considered to be rude and insulting
- Open displays of affection (such as kissing and holding hands) will generally draw the wrong kind of attention.
- Anger, such as losing your temper and yelling will lead to a loss of face and is highly unlikely to get you what you want.
- Shoes should also be taken off when entering any building that houses a Buddha image or if you are visiting someone's house
Religion
Theravada Buddhism is the religion practised by about 95% of Khmers. It is often referred to as a way of life, or a philosophy, rather than a religion. It advocates moderation in all facets of life and sees material objects as standing in the way of greater happiness. There are also a small number of Muslim communities though out the country.
Public holidays and festivals
Cambodia is renowned for its many public holidays and festival days. During public holidays, banks and all government institutions close down and depending on the festival you may see a either a massive surge of people heading home to their family province or into the major towns to join in celebrations. The main holidays celebrated include:
Chaul Chhnam - Cambodian New Year - follows the end of the harvest season. It generally lasts for three days from 14-16 April during which time Cambodians douse each other liberally with water, clean and decorate their houses, and make offerings at the local temple.
Pchum Ben or Soul Day - Running for 15 days from the end of September into October, and the exact date determined by the lunar calendar, this festival is dedicated to blessing the spirits of the dead, and is one of the most culturally significant in Cambodia. Each household visits their Buddhist temple and offers food to the monks for their assistance in blessing the souls of late ancestors, relatives and friends. Pagodas are crowded with people taking their turn to make offering.
Bonn Kathen - A religious festival when monks come out of retreat, and people all over the country form reverent slow processions to their local temple. Monks change their old saffron robes for the new ones offered by the devotees, an action that brings spiritual merit to all participants. Date decided by lunar calendar.
Birthday of His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk -Held over three days from October 30th, people converge from all areas of Cambodia to enjoy the shows, parades, festivals, and a giant firework display in Phnom Penh.
Independence Day - A national holiday on November 9th to celebrate the independence of Cambodia from France in 1953. A parade is held in front of the Royal Palace, which includes floats, marching bands and other entertaining festive activities.
The Bonn Om Took Water Festival (November) - Celebrating the reversed current of the Tonle Sap River that connects the Tonle Sap Lake with the Mekong. During the rainy season from June to October the Mekong rises, causing the Tonle Sap River to flow in reverse, and the lake to swell to more than twice its regular size. At the end of the rainy season, when the water level of the Mekong drops again, the current reverts and flows back into the Mekong. This event is celebrated with three days of boat races, festivals, and fireworks.
