Cambodia is situated in the southeast
of the Indochina Peninsula. It shares its international borders with Thailand, Laos and
Vietnam, and has a 343 km coastline along the Gulf of Siam. The population is around 10
million, with the capital and largest city, Phnom Penh, having about 1 million
inhabitants.
The country covers an area of around 181,000 sq km, which consists of mainly low plains,
with some mountainous areas in the north and southwest. Cambodia is administratively
divided into 20 provinces, with two major cities; Phnom Penh, the capital, and
Sihanoukville, a large sea-port in the south.
Cambodia is situated in a tropical zone and has an average temperature of around 27
degrees. The two distinct seasons are the dry, cool season (November - March) and the
rainy season (May - November)
The Cambodia of today was once part of the much larger Khmer Empire that had a stronghold
in the region from the 9th to 15th centuries. However it is the sad and atrocious events
that occurred during the 1970's, when numbers believed to be in the millions were
slaughtered in the power struggle to take control of the nation, that has unfortunately
taken the gleam from the richness of its centuries old history and culture.
Places of Attraction
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is situated in the south central part of Cambodia, at the
point where the rivers Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac all converge. It was founded as the
capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia in 1434, and has remained the cultural and
administrative centre ever since. The founding of the city, as legend has it, was due to
an omen received by an old holy women, Penh. Thus the city was called Phnom Penh, with the
word Phnom the Khmer word for "hill".
Apart from the remnants of the dreadful era of the seventies, the city still holds
remnants from its more humane periods as well as evidence of French influence from the
colonial days.
Wat Phnom
This is the pagoda that was built by Lady Penh, on the hill that
gives the name to the city. The legend has it that, after a flood, she found a tree with
four statues of Buddha, she then took to building a temple to enshrine the images. Located
behind the pagoda is a large stupa that supposedly contains the ashes of the first founder
of the city, King Ponhea Yat.
The Royal Palace
The palace was originally built in 1866, by King Norodom, over the
site of the 19th century citadel, Banteay Kev. Other buildings were added later, mostly
under the supervision of the French. The Chan Chaya pavilion, built in 1913, was used for
dance and musical performances on special occasions. Within the compound are the
coronation hall, an open-air theatre and a collection of Cambodian art, as well as the
royal residence, Khemarin Palace.
The Silver Pagoda
The name of the pagoda, which is located next to the royal palace,
relates to the more than 5000 silver tiles covering the floor. It was built in 1892, and
later reconstructed in 1962. The pagoda enshrines a solid gold Buddha decorated with
thousands of diamonds, which was crafted in 1907. The surrounding walls contain murals
depicting scenes from the Reamker, the Khmer version of the Ramayana.
National Museum
Situated just to the north of the Royal palace, the museum was
constructed in 1917, by Frenchman George Groslier. It has on display more than 5,000 works
of art, dating from the 6th - 13th centuries, reflecting the rich culture of the Khmers.
Amongst the collection are many pieces from the Angkor period.
Tuol Sleng
During the terrible years after the Khmer Rouge
marched into Phnom Penh, this was the most feared place in the city. The former high
school was converted to a detention and interrogation centre which was known as Security
Prison 21 (S-21).
Up to 20,000 people were systematically tortured and killed here, or sent to the
"Killing Fields". The inmates were photographed and a copy of their
"confessions" were filed by the ruthless interrogators.
Choeung Ek
Located 15 km to the South West of Phnom Penh, this is infamously
known as "The Killing Fields". A memorial is located to remember the vast number
of Cambodians who were systematically executed and buried in the fields during the
notorious years of 1975-1979.
Oudung
Situated about 40 km to the northwest are the remains of the former
capital Oudung. Although little remains of the structures built by King Ang Doung, it is
still a revered place for many Khmers, who come to pay their respects to the former kings.
Tonle Bati
About 30km to the south of Phnom Penh is this small lake with a
beach. It is a popular place for the residents of Phnom Penh, who converge here at
weekends for picnics. Nearby is a 12th century temple, Ta Proum, which was built by King
Jayavarman VII.
Phnom Chisor
This hill top temple is situated just off Route 2, about 55km south
from Phnom Penh. It was built by King Suryavarman I and enshrines the highly revered Neag
Khmao, "The Black Lady", which is over 300 years old.
