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CAMBODIA OVERVIEW & HISTORY

CAMBODIA OVERVIEW

The official named is Kingdom of Cambodia located in the south of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. The country was blessed with diverse flora and fauna which are typical for the tropics. Its long-lasting history is also the attractions which are waiting tourists to discover.
Undoubtedly, Cambodia’s main attractions are the magnificent Angkor temples, both in scale and beauty, but there is much more on offer than its famous cultural sites.
As well as the impressive grandeur of the ancient capital, Cambodia has beauty scattered into thousand facets through the Kingdom. Visitors can cruise down the Mekong and tributary rivers, go trekking in remote areas and relax on deserted beaches. From the old history Cambodia is benefiting
From two decades of relative stability, having endured civil war and the murderous rule of the Khmer Rouge. Its shares borders with Vietnam to the east, Laos to the north, Thailand to the west, the ocean coast to the southwest and covering 20 provinces and 4 municipals.
Since the last national election, a new era of peace and political stability has taking root in the country. Opportunities are now available to discover the deepest heart of the Kingdom, travelling in little known areas and understanding more about the Angkor civilization.
Tourism is one of the main industries in the Kingdom of Cambodia and strong efforts are being made to promote the country as a unique destination, rich in diversity with a fascinating cultural heritage.
Discovering one of Southeast Asia’s most enjoyable destinations, you’ll find plentiful attractions ranging from unspoilt beaches and colonial townscapes through to dense forests and majestic rivers and lakes. The legendary temples of Angkor continue to attract millions of visitors each year. Away from the temples, Cambodia is refreshingly untouristy. Cambodia remains largely unexplored in many places. New roads now bring once remote destinations within easy reach.

THE ORIGIN OF THE KHMER

Cambodia came into being, so the legend says, through the union of a princess and a foreigner. The foreigner was an Indian Brahman named Kaundinya and the princess was the daughter of a dragon king who ruled over a watery land. One day, as Kaundinya sailed by, the princess paddled out in a boat to greet him. Kaundinya shot an arrow from his magic bow into her boat, causing the fearful princess to agree to marriage. In need of a dowry, her father drank up the waters of his land and presented them to Kaundinya to rule over. The new kingdom was named Kambuja.
Like many legends, this one is historically opaque, but it does say something about the cultural forces that brought Cambodia into existence, in particular its relationship with its great sub continental neighbor, India. Cambodia’s religious, royal and written traditions stemmed from India and began to coalesce as a cultural entity in their own right between the 1st and 5th centuries.
Very little is known about prehistoric Cambodia. Much of the southeast was a vast, shallow gulf that was progressively silted up by the mouths of the Mekong, leaving pancake-flat, mineral-rich land ideal for farming. Evidence of cave-dwellers has been found in the northwest of Cambodia. Carbon dating on ceramic pots found in the area shows that they were made around 4200 BC, but it is hard to say whether there is a direct relationship between these cave-dwelling pot makers and contemporary Khmers. Examinations of bones dating back to around 1500 BC, however, suggest that the people living in Cambodia at that time resembled the Cambodians of today. Early Chinese records report that the Cambodians were ‘ugly’ and ‘dark’ and went about naked. However, a healthy dose of skepticism is always required when reading the culturally chauvinistic reports of imperial China concerning its ‘barbarian’ neighbors.

CAMBODIA POPULATION

The current population of Cambodia is 16,784,374 as of Wednesday, October 14, 2020, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data.
Cambodia 2020 population is estimated at 16,718,965 people at midyear according to UN data.
Cambodia population is equivalent to 0.21% of the total world population.
Cambodia ranks number 71 in the list of countries (and dependencies) by population.
The population density in Cambodia is 95 per Km2 (245 people per mi2).
The total land area is 176,520 Km2 (68,155 sq. miles)
24.2 % of the population is urban (4,050,459 people in 2020)

CAMBODIA HISTORY

Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument, and certainly deserves all the attention it gets! But a holiday in Cambodia offers far more, with evocative landscapes, hidden luxury, excellent light adventure, and island beaches that are blissfully free from crowds.
The rural landscapes are diverse, ranging from floating villages and jungle-flanked rivers to an almost Amazonian vibe. A gentle spirituality is intrinsic to Cambodian daily life, and the towns and cities buzz as modern Asia inspires a creative people who are eager to thrive.
Ancient city ruins in the jungle
The abandoned city of Angkor covers hundreds of square miles around the famous temple of Angkor Wat, and archaeologists uncover more of it each year. Although the iconic central site is very popular, it’s also incredibly impressive, and a must-see on your first trip to Cambodia. If you can spare the time, we can also take you to other grandiose jungle-clad ruins in more remote areas, without the crowds that flock to Angkor.
Island beaches
Cambodia’s offshore islands are a joy, with soft sandy beaches and thoughtful resorts that are all about low-impact luxury and barefoot R&R. The islands of Koh Rong and Samloem are delightful places to relax alongside Cambodians who’ve sought some leisure time by the sea. There are several private island resorts that are well worth looking at — speak to one of our Cambodia Specialists for our latest recommendations.
Light adventure
For inland R&R, head to the Koh Kong and Tatai river region. Sheltered by the Cardamom Mountains, this valley of forests, rivers and waterfalls is ideal for a few days of river kayaking and jungle treks. If conditions are right, you can also kayak through the flooded forests of Tonle Sap, keeping an eye out for the many birds that depend on the area.
Communities & conservation
Our favourite resorts and experiences in Cambodia have been designed to support local people and habitats. The community-based accommodation ranges from homestay initiatives to astonishingly luxurious jungle camps, but all consult and involve local people in their creation and upkeep. There are inspiring experiences, too, from Phare, the circus in Siem Reap which works to address social deprivation, to elephant conservation efforts in the country’s north-east.
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