Official Name: Kingdom of Cambodia. Or Preahreacheanachak Kampuchea, in khmer language (phonetic pronunciation)
Geographical Situation: Cambodia is located in South East Asia. The country borders Thailand to its west and northwest, Laos to its northeast, and Vietnam to its east and southeast. In the south, it faces the Gulf of Thailand.
Time Zone: GMT/UTC + 7
Surface: 181,035km2 with 2.5% of water area
Territory: The geography of Cambodia is dominated by the Mekong river (colloquial Khmer: Tonle Thom or "the great river") and the Tonlé Sap ("the fresh water lake"). 75% of the country lies in the plain surrounding these water courses. Mountainous areas can be found in the north-east and south.
Climate: Cambodia is subject to tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 21° to 35°C (69° to 95°F), and experiences tropical monsoons, hot and humid.
1) November-February: Cool and dry.
2) March-May: Hot and dry.
3) June-August: Hot and wet.
4) September-Early November: Cool and wet.
Population: 13,4 million (Est.2008) which 90% are Khmer, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%.
Languages: Khmer (official) spoken by 95% of population, the balance speaking regional languages.
Religion: Theravada Buddhist 95%, 5% animist and other religions.
Capital: Phnom Penh
Currency: Riel (KHR) 1 USD = 4.000 riels approximately.
Electricity: 220 V AC, 50Hz. The outages are frequent. In many provincial areas electricity is available only in the evening from 18:30 to about 21:30.
Political Regime: Constitutional monarchy
Head of State: H.M NORODOM Sihamoni, King of Cambodia (since 2004)
Prime Minister : M. HUN Sen (since 1985)
Visa: Required for most nationalities, except some Asian countries. Cambodian visas are available on-arrival at all international borders. Visa fee required (currently 20.00 US$).
Airport Departure Tax: Included in the ticket for domestic flight, they have to be paid cash in US dollars for international. The current amount is 25.00 US$, but don’t forget to check before going to the airport.
Transportation
Air: Cambodia has three international airports – Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville/Kampong Chhnang. No flights currently scheduled to this latter, the only route operated by regular service is Phnom Penh-Siem Reap and vv.
Helicopters can be chartered on the same stretches.
Road Network: Main roads and bridges are generally in fair conditions, but can be damaged or interrupted during rain season. North-eastern provinces (Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri) as well as remote sites such as Preah Vihear can be reached by 4x4 only.
Local bus: Several companies offer comfortable AC service from Phnom Penh to the most popular provincial destinations, including Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and other towns along the National Roads.
Motobike/Tuk Tuk : The most popular and easy way to go around in towns and surroundings. You can find them almost anywhere. Bargain in advance!
Cyclo : classical means for Cambodian, going a little bit out of fashion. Nowadays, you find them near most important touristic spots or in some provincial capitals.
Railways: Only 2 lines exist, connecting Phnom Penh capital city to Sihanoukville/Kampong Chhnang and Battambang/Sisophon (to Thailand). Journeys are long and uncomfortable, trains operate only once a week during weekend.
Boat: Public speedboats connect Phnom Penh to Siem Reap every day, while other boats ride Tonle Sap between Siem Reap and Battambang. Journey by these boats can be very hazardous as no safety measures exist on board, highly recommended to avoid this experience.
Public Holiday & Festivals (2010) :
1st Jan : International New Year's Day
7th Jan: Victory Day over the Genocide Regime. Khmer Rouges regime was defeated by the Vietnamese army in 1979.
30th Jan* : Meak Bochea Day
13-14-15th Feb*: Chinese New Year (Tet for Vietnamese). The most important holiday for Chinese and Vietnamese communities, probably the only time in the year when most shops are closed.
8th March : International Women's Day
14-15-16th April*: Khmer New Year
28th April*: Visaka Bochea Day (Birth of Bouddhaa)
1st May : International Labour Day
2nd May*: Royal Ploughing Ceremony (Chrat Preah Nongkâl)
13-14-15th May : Birthday of H.M Preah Bat Samdech Preah Baromneath Norodom Sihamoni
1st Jun : International Child Day
18th Jun : Former Queen’s Birthday
24th September : Constitution Day
7-8-9th October*: Pchum Ben’s Day
29th October : Coronation's Day of H.M Preah Bat Samdech Preah Baromneath Norodom Sihamoni,
31st October : Birthday of H.M King Father Norodom Sihanouk
9th November : National Independence Day
20-21-22nd November*: Water Festival, Bon Om Touk.
10th December : International Human Right’s Day
* = Floating date, according to Lunar calendar.
Official Name: Kingdom of Cambodia. Or Preahreacheanachak Kampuchea, in khmer language (phonetic pronunciation)
Geographical Situation: Cambodia is located in South East Asia. The country borders Thailand to its west and northwest, Laos to its northeast, and Vietnam to its east and southeast. In the south, it faces the Gulf of Thailand.
Time Zone: GMT/UTC + 7
Surface: 181,035km2 with 2.5% of water area
Territory: The geography of Cambodia is dominated by the Mekong river (colloquial Khmer: Tonle Thom or "the great river") and the Tonlé Sap ("the fresh water lake"). 75% of the country lies in the plain surrounding these water courses. Mountainous areas can be found in the north-east and south.
Climate: Cambodia is subject to tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 21° to 35°C (69° to 95°F), and experiences tropical monsoons, hot and humid.1) November-February: Cool and dry.2) March-May: Hot and dry.3) June-August: Hot and wet.4) September-Early November: Cool and wet.
Population: 13,4 million (Est.2008) which 90% are Khmer, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%.
Languages: Khmer (official) spoken by 95% of population, the balance speaking regional languages.
Religion: Theravada Buddhist 95%, 5% animist and other religions.
Capital: Phnom Penh
Currency: Riel (KHR) 1 USD = 4.000 riels approximately.
Electricity: 220 V AC, 50Hz. The outages are frequent. In many provincial areas electricity is available only in the evening from 18:30 to about 21:30.
Political Regime: Constitutional monarchy
Head of State: H.M NORODOM Sihamoni, King of Cambodia (since 2004)
Prime Minister : M. HUN Sen (since 1985)
Visa: Required for most nationalities, except some Asian countries. Cambodian visas are available on-arrival at all international borders. Visa fee required (currently 20.00 US$).
Airport Departure Tax: Included in the ticket for domestic flight, they have to be paid cash in US dollars for international. The current amount is 25.00 US$, but don’t forget to check before going to the airport.
Transportation
Air: Cambodia has three international airports – Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville/Kampong Chhnang. No flights currently scheduled to this latter, the only route operated by regular service is Phnom Penh-Siem Reap and vv.
Helicopters can be chartered on the same stretches.
Road Network: Main roads and bridges are generally in fair conditions, but can be damaged or interrupted during rain season. North-eastern provinces (Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri) as well as remote sites such as Preah Vihear can be reached by 4x4 only.
Local bus: Several companies offer comfortable AC service from Phnom Penh to the most popular provincial destinations, including Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and other towns along the National Roads.
Motobike/Tuk Tuk : The most popular and easy way to go around in towns and surroundings. You can find them almost anywhere. Bargain in advance!
Cyclo : classical means for Cambodian, going a little bit out of fashion. Nowadays, you find them near most important touristic spots or in some provincial capitals.
Railways: Only 2 lines exist, connecting Phnom Penh capital city to Sihanoukville/Kampong Som and Battambang/Sisophon (to Thailand). Journeys are long and uncomfortable, trains operate only once a week during weekend.
Boat: Public speedboats connect Phnom Penh to Siem Reap every day, while other boats ride Tonle Sap between Siem Reap and Battambang. Journey by these boats can be very hazardous as no safety measures exist on board, highly recommended to avoid this experience.
Public Holiday & Festivals (2010) :
1st Jan : International New Year's Day
7th Jan: Victory Day over the Genocide Regime. Khmer Rouges regime was defeated by the Vietnamese army in 1979.
30th Jan* : Meak Bochea Day
13-14-15th Feb*: Chinese New Year (Tet for Vietnamese). The most important holiday for Chinese and Vietnamese communities, probably the only time in the year when most shops are closed.8th March : International Women's Day
14-15-16th April*: Khmer New Year
28th April*: Visaka Bochea Day (Birth of Bouddhaa)
1st May : International Labour Day2nd May*: Royal Ploughing Ceremony (Chrat Preah Nongkâl)
13-14-15th May : Birthday of H.M Preah Bat Samdech Preah Baromneath Norodom Sihamoni
1st Jun : International Child Day
18th Jun : Former Queen’s Birthday
24th September : Constitution Day
7-8-9th October*: Pchum Ben’s Day
29th October : Coronation's Day of H.M Preah Bat Samdech Preah Baromneath Norodom Sihamoni,
31st October : Birthday of H.M King Father Norodom Sihanouk9th November : National Independence Day
20-21-22nd November*: Water Festival, Bon Om Touk.
10th December : International Human Right’s Day
* = Floating date, according to Lunar calendar.
