Khmer Language(ភាសាខ្មែរ)

Khmer(ខ្មែរ) is the official language of Cambodia. The Cambodian language is derived from the Mon-Khmer (Austro-Asiatic) language family. It is renowned for being one of the largest set of alphabets; it consist basically of 33 consonants, 23 vowels and 12 independent vowels.

Tourism may wish to learn a few spoken phrases before or when visiting Cambodia. However, English is widely spoken and understood. French is the second language after English; most elderly Cambodians speak French. The Chinese language is also widely spoken.

Cambodia History

Carbon 14 dating of a cave at Laang Spean in northwest Cambodia reveals people who made pots were living in Cambodia as early as 4200 B.C.E. (Before the Common Era). Further archaeological evidence indicates that other parts of the region now called Cambodia were inhabited from around 1000-2000 B.C.E. by a Neolithic culture. Skulls and human bones found at Samrong Sen date from 1500 B.C.E. These people may have migrated from South Eastern China to the Indochinese Peninsula, although some scholars maintain they may have come from India. Scholars trace the first cultivation of rice and the first bronze making in Southeast Asia to these people. By the first century CE, the inhabitants had developed relatively stable, organized societies and spoke languages very much related to the Cambodian or Khmer of the present day. The culture and technical skills of these people of the first century in the Common Era far surpassed the primitive stage.

City and Provinces in Cambodia

City and province sizes

No.	City or province	Area
		km²	sq mi
1	Capital of Phnom Penh	758	293
2	Kandal Province	3,568	1,378
3	Takeo Province	3,563	1,376
4	Kampong Cham Province	9,799	3,783
5	Kampong Thom Province	13,814	5,334
6	Siem Reap Province	10,299	3,976
7	Preah Vihear Province	13,788	5,324
8	Oddar Meancheay Province	6,158	2,378
9	Banteay Meanchey Province	6,679	2,579
10	Battambang Province	11,072	4,275
11	Pailin Province	803	310
12	Pursat Province	12,692	4,900
13	Kampong Chhnang Province	5,521	2,132
14	Kampong Speu Province	7,017	2,709
15	Koh Kong Province	11,160	4,309
16	Preah Sihanouk Province	868	335
17	Kampot Province	4,873.2	1,881.6
18	Kep Province	335.8	129.7
19	Prey Veng Province	4,883	1,885
20	Svay Rieng Province	2,966	1,145
21	Kratie Province	11,094	4,283
22	Stung Treng Province	11,092	4,283
23	Ratanakiri Province	10,782	4,163
24	Mondulkiri Province	14,288	5,517
25	Tonlé Sap	3,000	1,158
TOTAL AREA		181,035	69,898

From: Wikipedia

National Flower

Romduol, a small yellowish-white flower, is the national flower of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Since ancient times, Cambodian women have often been compared to the Romduol flower because of its attractive fragrance; a unique scent that is prominent in the late afternoon and can travel over long distances with the wind. with its sturdy stems that measure up to 30cm, the Romduol plant can grow to a height of 12 meters. These plant are being planted to enhance public parks.

From: The 2010 Official Handbook of the Ministry of Tourism.

National Flage

The flag of Cambodia symbolizes the country's religious dignity and royalty. Two large blue stripes representing royalty, embrace an even larger red stripe which represents the nation. The image of the white temple represents the nation's religion. Generally speaking, the colors and image on the Cambodian flag personify the country's slogan: Nation, Religion, King.

 From: The 2010 Official Handbook of the Ministry of Tourism.

Cambodia Profile

The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly known as Kampuchea, has its name derived from the Sanskrit name Kambujadesa.

Location and Area

The Kingdom of Cambodia, (Khmer: ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា Preăh Réachéa Nachâk Kâmpŭchéa), also known as Cambodia, derived from Sanskrit Kambujadesa (कम्बोजदेश)), is a country in Southeast Asia that borders Thailand to the west and northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. The geography of Cambodia is dominated by the Mekong River Tonlé Mékong and Tonlé Sap lake.

The kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with King Norodom Sihamoni as head of state, who has reigned since 2004. Phnom Penh is the kingdom's capital and largest city, and is the center of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. Siem Reap is the gateway to the Angkor region in which the famous ruins of Angkor Wat and other Angkorian temples are located which makes it a main destination for tourism. Battambang, the largest province in northwestern Cambodia is known for its rice production, and Sihanoukville, a coastal city, is the primary sea port and beach resort.

Cambodia has an area of 181,035 square kilometers (69,898 sq mi) and a population of over 14 million people. A citizen of Cambodia is usually identified as "Cambodian" or "Khmer" which strictly refers to ethnic Khmers. Theravada Buddhism is the official religion of Cambodia, which is practiced by around 96% of the Cambodian population. The country also have a minority number of Muslims Cham, as well as ethnic Chinese, Vietnamese and various hill tribes.

Agriculture has long been the most important sector to the Cambodian economy, with around 59% of the population relying on agriculture for their livelihood (with rice being the principal crop).Other important sectors include garments, construction and tourism - foreign visitors to Angkor Wat numbered more than 4 million in 2007.In 2005, oil and natural gas deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, and once commercial extraction begins in 2011, the oil revenues could profoundly affect Cambodia's economy

.