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Angkor Wat Plus
Fascinating Tours of Angkor
Wat with boat trip to Phnompenh |
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Classical Tours
Visit Phnompenh and Angkor Wat
(Siemreap) - Cambodia by Flight |
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Cambodia Hotels
List of notable hotels in
Angkor or Siemreap area and in Phnompenh |
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Phnompenh Visits
Descriptive introduction of
main attraction in Phnompenh, Cambodia |
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Travel
Tips
Equip yourself with
Cambodia Travel Tips eg. visa, airport tax, currency and etc. |
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COUNTRY
FACTS |
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- Geography
- People
- Language
- Climate & Seasons
- Holidays & Special Events in
Cambodia
- Religion
- Arts
- History of Cambodia
More Informations for: - Travel Tips
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1.
Geography |
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| Cambodia covers
an area of some 181, 035 square km, which is bordered by Thailand to the West, by Vietnam
to the East, by Laos to the North and by Gulf of Siam to the South. The country's terrain
mostly consists of low and flat plains which is mainly fertile by the Mekong and Tonle Sap
river, whereas highland and mountains surrounded by evergreen forests lie at the North and
South.
Mekong river
(Northeast and Southeast) and Tonle Sap (Great Lake, Central Part of Cambodia) which feed
most of Cambodian population in terms of fish, crops and plant cultivation, meet the
Mekong River at Phnom Penh, forming a lovely unique site for celebrating cultural and
social activities every year and so for various industrialization sites.
The Dangreks
(Northern area), the Cardamons ( Northern and Eastern) and the Elephant Mountains
(Southern) provide the Kingdom with a great deal of benefits such as obscure wild monsoon
which carries storms and cyclone, wildlife and various high class species of tropical
trees, streams and waterfalls, and also hideouts for rebels throughout the history and
other mysterious things which is worthy of taking adventure into.
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| 2.
People |
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| The population consists of ethnic Khmer at the largest,
followed by ethnic Vietnamese, ethnic Chinese, Cham, Muslim and Hilltribes residing at far
remote northeast. Most Khmers accounted for 80 percent are farmers growing rice.
Vietnamese provide the country with skilled workers, while Chinese dominate most of
business ownership. The hill tribes live at rural area in the northeast practicing slash
and burn agriculture |
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Language |
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The Cambodian language is
Khmer, which is inherited itself - and advanced in education with application of Indic
languages Pali and Sangkrit from India. Also, the Khmer language is influenced by spoken
and written Thai. Some technical languages are borrowed from French. However, English is
commonly communicated in hotels and business compounds at present days.
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| 4.
Climate & Seasons |
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Situated in the tropical zone,
Cambodia is bathed in sun almost all year around. There are two main seasons: the rainy
season and dry. Each season brings about a refreshing change. The humid, rainy season
lasts from April to October. Temperatures range from 27-35 degrees Celsius. The hottest
month is April when the temperature can reach 41 degree C these days. The cool, dry season
lasts from November to March, with temperatures ranging from 17-27 degrees C. December to
January is the coolest period at about 27 degrees C.
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| 5.
Holidays & Special Events in
Cambodia |
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| International
Half Marathon (10km run) at Angkor Wat ( Late December every year)
The Kingdom is proud of the host
nation offering the organization of International Half Marathon at Siem Reap on the site
of Angkor Wat late December ( around the 20th) every year. Participants from all over
Cambodia and the world enjoy the 10 km running of the International Half Marathon around
the compound of Angkor Wat, wherein large evergreen tropical trees, cool weather and the
beauty of the Angkor Wat with thousands of participants and spectators are of special and
great interests. The 1997 International Half Marathon brought in more than 1,000
participants from all over Cambodia and from 15 foreign countries from different
continents. The figure hope to accelerate for the 1998 event--- a chance eagerly
anticipated by locals and international travelers alike to enjoy the spot of Angkor
Wat,
one of the world's leading archeological complex wonder and the spiritual heart and
identity of the Khmer people. The Khmer New Year Days (April 14 - 16) The spirit of the
Khmer New Year is celebrated in Cambodia as a wholemarking the turn of New Year. All
Buddhist temples are crowded with people nicely dressed up in different colors offering
food to Buddhist monks. Every home, beautifully decorated, putting up the shrine full of
fruits and
drinks to please and earn the bless
from the spirit of Heaven's God as the new year is heading. City streets are well
decorated in local style, shinning in night lights different from any day in the year. The
3 day celebration marks the bless and rice harvest done during the year. It is a good
time, tourists should spend time to truly understand the role and practice of Buddhism
together with certain concepts of Hinduism in Cambodia at the Buddhist temples and the
Cambodian households who warmly welcome all foreigners. Also, it is the right time to
watch the cultural show: traditional games played in most corners of the temples and
tourist sites.
Royal
Ploughing Festival (May 14)
It is the belief based on astrology
that animal Ox plays an important role in determination the fate of agriculturally crops
in each season of harvest. Thus every year in May, this cultural ceremony is organized in
royal manner and the King plays the key role in driving ox depicting the real plaughing
activities in the process of growing rice in Cambodia. There is a scene in which the ox is
given a varieties of crops such as rice, corn and beans and should the ox eat the given
crops, harvest will be high in the year. If any crops are not eaten, the country will
suffer the low harvest or disaster in the year. Normally , the venue is at the large field at the Northern wing
of the Royal Palace.
Pchumban Days (September 19-21)
Pachumban or the
Soul Day is one of the most culturally significant event of the year celebrated in
September in the name of Buddhism. Unlike Khmer New Year, Pchumban event gathers
concentration on blessing the souls. It is the special event that every Cambodian
household must report to Buddhist temple with food offered to Buddhist monks in favor of
blessing the souls of ancestors, relatives and friends alike who have passed away. Every
pagoda is crowded with local people taking turn to offer the food and some staying their
for complete activities, particularly listen to the Buddhist sermon.
King Sihanouk Birthday Celebration
(October
31 - November 1)
The celebration extends over three
days. People from all corners of Cambodia take part in the festivities held throughout
capital and early night beautiful giant fireworks display at the river banks, closed to
the palace.
Water Festival (November 2- 4)
It is the vast
celebration in the capital over three days. Water Festival also known Boat Race Festival
draw in thousands of people from all walks of life to the banks of Tonle Sap and the
Mekong rivers. The activity during the day is boat races said to date back to ancient time
marking the victory of the Khmer powerful marine forces during the Khmer empire--- and
said as thanksgiving made to the spirit of Mekong river for providing the country with
fertile land and a great deal of fish and so for its reverse flow. At the whole nights,
people gather in the streets along the river and at the national parks to enjoy various
music and dances performances and along the riverbanks to enjoy the view of the night
display, the decorated lights on boats depicting the nation's various identities and
achievements. Every home at night is also seen a shrine in which pounded rice and local
cake with coconut fruit are placed to please the spirit of the moon as in the name of
Buddhism said to be home of the Buddha (according to Cambodian tale). Giant fireworks also
display. It is a mass annual gathering bylocals and foreigners.
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| 6.
Religion |
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Thearavada Buddhism is the
official religion in Cambodia which is practiced by 95 percent of the population-- just
like that of Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka. However, Christianity and Cham Muslim are being
active and popular among a large number of population as well in the capital and
provinces, showing a sign of growth. Daoism and Confuism are also commonly practiced among
the Chinese people.
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| 7.
Arts |
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| The
Khmer (Cambodian) art is inherited itself together with influence by the ideas of Indians
long before the existence of Khmer Empire in the 3rd century AD., Javaneses (
Indonesian) in 802 and French (1863). To deeply understand the Khmer arts, it is necessary
to look at complex temples, particularly Angkor Wat, buildings, classical dances and
textile (cotton and silk) industry, the products and display of which are widely available
in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Apart from
Angkor Wat which features uniquely arts of Cambodia, we recommend our tourists as follows
while in Phnom Penh:-
Cambodia
Fine Art School inside the capital near the old Olympic Stadium and the Royal Palace and
in adjunct to the National Museum is of a great resource for the teaching of various Khmer
arts, thus a tour inside the schools would be useful for tourists to truly understand the
teaching process of Khmer arts, particularly Khmer classical dances and architecture.
Weaving
Village located along the Mekong river--- about 10 minutes away from the Mekong Island by
boat, is seen impressive settings of the hand-made Khmer textile production which share
the largest supplies of finest silk, cotton products in the Kingdom markets. The
production is mostly done by women with patience and the weaving devices and process and
the incredible role of women producing finest fabric products would greatly impress
tourists.
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| 8.
History of Cambodia |
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| While no one
knows exactly how long people live in what is now called Cambodia, it is believed that the
first settlement of Cambodians began long ago before 4200 B.C. These early people are
believed to come from India, China and Southeast Asia. Very little is known about daily
life of prehistoric Cambodians: for example diet containing a great deal of fish, houses
was raises above the ground accessible by ladder as can seen in what is northeast
Cambodia; growing rice and; root-crops by so-called slash-and burn method.
In the 1st
century A.D. these inhabitants formed the first Cambodian civilization known as Funan as a
result of Indianized cults, during which Cambodia had for the first time its comprehensive
administrative structure, coherent written languages as Khmer and Sangkrit. No doubt,
indianisation had profound effect on cultures and belief of Funan's Cambodians.
Funan lasted
until the 6th century, which thereafter another sate called Chenla from which Cambodia
take its name, existed with aggressive growth and eventually absorbed Funan. In the 7th
century (667) after the death of King Jayavarman I, Chenla split into two parts: Water
Chenla whose land lies in what is now South Cambodia and Land Chenla whose land lies
around Tonle Sap and Upper Mekong River. Javanese invaders took over Water Chenla, then
members of Chenla court were taken to Java.
King
Jayavarman II (802-850) returned from Java and took power, and started to build his
capital, from which Angkor period was inaugurated. Angkorian Kings had continued
aggressive construction of temples after King Jayavarman II until the death of the last
and great Angkorian King Jayavarman VII (1181-1201), who built most of Angkor temples and
well respected for his defense against invasion by neighbor, particularly Chams/Muslims
who then inhabited in what is now called South Vietnam.
The death of
King Jayavarman VII marked the fall of Angkor, which then Cambodia suffered series of
historical tragedy for nearly 700 years due to war between its neighbors Thailand and
Vietnam, and due to internal conflicts between the royal courts. The heavy looting of
Angkor were obvious, and Cambodian land has been torn between.
July 1863,
France forced King Norodom to sign a treaty putting Cambodiaunder French protectorate,
which eventually made a total colony. France ruled Cambodia for nearly 100 years, during
which Cambodians were unhappy due to several reasons, especially application of citizen
taxes. This had caused revolution throughout led by royal courts but the attempts were
unsuccessful.
During World
War II (1945), Japanese troops entered Cambodia, then France was temporarily driven way.
Japan presence was not long due to its defeat in World War II, which was then seen the
return of France. At last, King Norodom Sihanouk, who was crowned King by France in 1941,
was able to gain independence from France on November 9, 1953.
King
Sihanouk then abdicated in 1955 in favor of heading political party Sangkum Reastr Niyum
which he founded toward national reconciliation. His father was named the king in stead.
Winning national elections, King Sihanouk took power and led the country toward success at
its peak surpassing other nations in Southeast Asia at the time for nearly 20 years.
In March
1970, King Sihanouk was deposed by Gen Lon Nol who was backed by Americans. Monarchy was
then abolished, replaced with republic. Civil War has begun thereafter which has lasted up
to present for nearly 40 years. In April 1975, the Khmer Rouges founded by Pol Pot took
power. Cambodia had gone through an era of darkness, a nightmare of the Killing Fields
which is equally defined as genocide. The Khmer Rouges shut off relationship with the
world and the nation's infrastructure was totally ruined. Nearly three millions of
Cambodians were killed, and the rest were on brink of extinction.
In January
1979, Cambodia were liberated from the rule of the Khmer Rouges, who has been since pushed
into the jungles. This victory, which is by no means putting an end of civil war, was
possible with the help from Vietnam, who then installed Cambodia's puppet government
fighting against the Khmer Rouges who joined its allies led King Norodom Sihanouk along
Cambodian-Thai borders.
In 1991, All
factions under pressure from the international community agreed to sign peace agreement
known Paris Peace Accords which temporarily put an end to civil war. In 1993, general
elections was held under supervision and administration of the United Nations, whereby a
new coalition government led by two prime ministers Prince Norodom Ranariddh and Mr.Hun
Sen, were formed. Sihanouk was reinstated as King in form of constitutional monarchy. The
new coalition government ceased in 1997 after a armed confrontation, which resulted in
disposal of Prince Norodom Ranariddh and that civil war has been renewed. This prompted
the United States to put Cambodian seat at the United Nations vacant, awaiting the result
of new national elections to be held in July 26, 1998.
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