Cambodia

CAMBODIA is an Indochinese country in Southeast Asia that borders the countries of Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. This country was formerly known as Kampuchea. The capital of Cambodia is Phnom Penh! The currency is the Cambodian Riel, and its ISO 4217 currency code is KHR. A significant, well-known, and historical structure is Angkor Wat, a Khmer temple built in the early 1100s (12th century) and located north of Siem Reap (Siemreab) city as well as Tônlé Sap, Cambodia’s largest lake.

● ● ● ● ●  People and Places  ● ● ● ● ●  According to Encyclopædia Britannica, Cambodia’s population in the year 2020 was about 15,535,000 and was ranked 71st among populations of the whole world’s countries, dependencies, and territories. Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s economic capital and largest city with a population of over 1,500,000. Other Cambodian cities include Batdambang (Battambang), Kampong Cham, Kracheh, Phumi Samraong, Siemreab (Siem Reap), Sihanoukville, and Sisophon. Designated due to cultural and natural importance, UNESCO World Heritage Sites located throughout Cambodia include the iconic Angkor Wat — added to the World Heritage List in 1992 — as well as Angkor Thom (Bayon Temple), Ker archaeological site, Preah Vihear Temple, and Sambor Prei Kuk Temple Zone. Other notable places and sites of interest all across the country include the Royal Palace and its Silver Pagoda; tenth-century Banteay Srei Temple; twelfth-century Ta Prohm Temple and its Terrace of the Elephants; PH Euro Park, built to imitate quintessentially European sights such as the Eiffel Tower and Dutch windmills (but there’s also a mini Sydney Opera House as a non-European bonus); the bustling Central Market; the vibrantly lit nightlife hub of Pub Street; and the Tuol Sleng Memorial Museum.

As of 2025, approximately 27 languages are used for communication in Cambodia, including the following languages: Khmer (official), Central Mnong, Chinese (Mandarin, Min Nan, and Yue), English, French, Jarai, Kaco’, Kraol, Kravet, Kru’ng, Kuy, Lao, Lave, Somray, Stieng Bulo, Tampuan, Thai, Vietnamese, and Western Cham. A majority of Cambodians have Khmer heritage, while some residents have Chinese or Vietnamese ethnicity. Theravada Buddhist is the official and majority (~86%) religion of Cambodia. Ethnic religions, Chinese Universalism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Bahá’í, etc. are minority beliefs and religions.

● ● ● ● ●  Land and Water Features  ● ● ● ● ●  Tônlé Sap is by far the largest lake in Cambodia and sits across the country’s central and northwest areas. The Mekong is the longest river and is revered and well-traveled. This mighty river starts in the northeast, goes straight south, veers southwest towards Phnom Penh, flows eastward and southward into southern Vietnam, then empties into the Mekong Delta — and subsequently the East Sea (South China Sea). Cambodia’s curvy southwest coastline abuts the Gulf of Thailand. Other Cambodian rivers and tributaries include the Bassak, Chas, Chinit, Kong, Peam, Sab, San, Sen, Sreng, and Srêpôk. There are several waterfalls throughout the countryside, one of which is Kbal Chhay located northeast of Sihanoukville in southern Cambodia. On the other side of Cambodia are the Khone Falls where the Mekong enters Cambodia from Laos. Bokor and Phnom Kulen national parks have waterfalls. Several islands of Cambodia have waterfalls, most notably the three or so waterfalls on the island of Kaoh Rung (Koh Rong). Immediately north of Sihanoukville is a bay named Chhak Kampong Saom (Kompong Som Bay).

Sprinkled in the rivers and bays of Cambodia are dozens of islands with all sorts of shapes and sizes. In addition to Koh Rong mentioned above, some island examples include Chanloh, Dach (Silk), Damlaung, Daong, Dek Koul, Koh Ki, Koh Kapi, Kong, Oknha Tei, Preab, Pring, Puos, Rong Sanloem, Russey (Bamboo), Seh, Ta Kiev, Tang, Thas, and Thmei. Mount Sâmkôs (1743 meters) and Mount Aôral (1813 meters) both stand almost like goalposts for the “football” known as the Krâvanh Mountains. The Dâmrei Mountains are further south near the aforementioned Chhak Kampong Saom. Conversely, the Dangrek Mountains straddle the northern border with eastern Thailand. Including Bokor and Phnom Kulen national parks mentioned above, here are some preserves and wildlife sanctuaries throughout Cambodia: Kulen Prum Tep, Lumphat, Phnom Sâmkôs, Ream, Roneam Daun Sam, and Virachey.

Map Note: The island of Ãao Phu Quôc belongs to Vietnam. On my newest versions of maps, islands that are green or white (with transparency) belong to other countries.

This post was updated with more information in July 2025.