Cambodia
| No. | City or province | Area | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| 1 | City of Phnom Penh | 290 | 112 |
| 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 | 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 | City of Pailin | 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 | City of Sihanoukville | 868 | 335 |
| 17 | Kampot Province | 4,873.2 | 1,881.6 |
| 18 | City of Kep | 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 | Tonle Sap lake | 3,000 | 1,158 |
| TOTAL AREA | 181,035 | 69,898 | |
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Foreign relations
Cambodia is a member of the United Nations and its specialized agencies such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. It is an Asian Development Bank (ADB) member, a member of ASEAN, and joined the WTO on 13 October 2004. In 2005 Cambodia attended the inaugural East Asia Summit.
Cambodia has established diplomatic relations with numerous countries; the government reports twenty embassies in the country[24] including many of its Asian neighbours and those of important players during the Paris peace negotiations, including the US, Australia, Canada, China, the European Union (EU), Japan, and Russia.[25]
While the violent ruptures of the 1970s and 80s have passed, several border disputes between Cambodia and its neighbours persist. There are disagreements over some offshore islands and sections of the boundary with Vietnam, and undefined maritime boundaries and border areas with Thailand.
In January 2003, there were riots in Phnom Penh prompted by rumored comments about Angkor Wat by a Thai actress wrongly attributed by Reaksmei Angkor, a Cambodian newspaper, and later quoted by Prime Minister Hun Sen.[26] The Thai government sent military aircraft to evacuate Thai nationals and closed its border with Cambodia to Thais and Cambodians (at no time was the border ever closed to foreigners or Western tourists) while Thais demonstrated outside the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok. The border was re-opened on March 21, after the Cambodian government paid $6 million USD in compensation for the destruction of the Thai embassy and agreed to compensate individual Thai businesses for their losses.
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Wildlife of Cambodia
- See also: Deforestation in Cambodia
Cambodia has a wide variety of plants and animals. There are 212 mammal species, 536 bird species, 240 reptile species, 850 freshwater fish species (Tonle Sap Lake area), and 435 marine fish species.
The country has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world. Since 1970, Cambodia's primary rainforest cover fell dramatically from over 70 percent in 1970 to just 3.1 percent in 2007. In total, Cambodia lost 25,000 square kilometres (9,700 sq mi) of forest between 1990 and 2005—3,340 km² (1,290 sq mi) of which was primary forest. As of 2007, less than 3,220 km² (1,243 sq mi) of primary forest remain with the result that the future sustainability of the forest reserves of Cambodia is under severe threat, with illegal loggers looking to generate revenue.[27]
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Economy
Final economic indicators for 2007 are not yet available. 2006 GDP was $7.265 billion (per capita GDP $513), with annual growth of 10.8%. Estimates for 2007 are for a GDP of $8.251 billion (per capita $571) and annual growth of 8.5%). Inflation for 2006 was 2.6%, and the current estimate for final 2007 inflation is 6.2%.[28]
Per capita income is rapidly increasing, but is low compared with other countries in the region. Most rural households depend on agriculture and its related sub-sectors. Rice, fish, timber, garments and rubber are Cambodia's major exports. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) reintroduced more than 750 traditional rice varieties to Cambodia from its rice seed bank in the Philippines (Jahn 2006,2007). These varieties had been collected in the 1960s. In 1987, the Australian government funded IRRI to assist Cambodia to improve its rice production. By 2000, Cambodia was once again self-sufficient in rice (Puckridge 2004, Fredenburg and Hill 1978).
The recovery of Cambodia's economy slowed dramatically in 1997–98, due to the regional economic crisis, civil violence, and political infighting. Foreign investment and tourism also fell off drastically. Since then however, growth has been steady. In 1999, the first full year of peace in 30 years, progress was made on economic reforms and growth resumed at 5.0%. Despite severe flooding, GDP grew at 5.0% in 2000, 6.3% in 2001, and 5.2% in 2002. Tourism was Cambodia's fastest growing industry, with arrivals increasing from 219,000 in 1997 to 1,055,000 in 2004. During 2003 and 2004 the growth rate remained steady at 5.0%, while in 2004 inflation was at 1.7% and exports at $1.6 billion US dollars. As of 2005, GDP per capita in PPP terms was $2,200, which ranked 178th (out of 233) countries.[29]
The older population often lacks education, particularly in the countryside, which suffers from a lack of basic infrastructure. Fear of renewed political instability and corruption within the government discourage foreign investment and delay foreign aid, although there has been significant assistance from bilateral and multilateral donors. Donors pledged $504 m to the country in 2004,[30] while the Asian Development Bank alone has provided $850m in loans, grants, and technical assistance.[31]
The tourism industry is the country's second-greatest source of hard currency after the textile industry.[17] 50% of visitor arrivals are to Angkor, and most of the remainder to Phnom Penh.[32] Other tourist destinations include Sihanoukville in the southeast which has several popular beaches, and the nearby area around Kampot including the Bokor Hill Station.
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Demographics
More than 90% of its population is of Khmer origin and speaks the Khmer language, the country's official language. The remainder include Chinese, Vietnamese, Cham, Khmer Loeu and Indians.
The Khmer language is a member of the Mon-Khmer subfamily of the Austroasiatic language group. French, once the lingua franca of Indochina and still spoken by some, mostly older Cambodians as a second language, remains the language of instruction in various schools and universities that are often funded by the government of France. Cambodian French, a remnant of the country's colonial past, is a dialect found in Cambodia and is frequently used in government. However, in recent decades, many younger Cambodians and those in the business-class have favoured learning English. In the major cities and tourist centers, English is widely spoken and taught at a large number of schools due to the overwhelming number of tourists from English-speaking countries. Even in the most rural outposts, however, most young people speak at least some English, as it is often taught by monks at the local pagodas where many children are educated.
| Cambodia religiosity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| religion | percent | |||
| Buddhism | 95% | |||
| Islam | 3% | |||
| Christianity | 2% | |||
The dominant religion, a form of Theravada Buddhism (95%), was suppressed by the Khmer Rouge but has since experienced a revival. Islam (3%) and Christianity (2%) are also practiced.[33]
Civil war and its aftermath have had a marked effect on the Cambodian population. The median age is 20.6 years, with more than 50% of the population younger than 25. At 0.95 males/female, Cambodia has the most female-biased sex ratio in the Greater Mekong Subregion [3]. In the Cambodian population over 65, the female to male ratio is 1.6:1.[30] UNICEF has designated Cambodia the third most mined country in the world,[34] attributing over 60,000 civilian deaths and thousands more maimed or injured since 1970 to the unexploded land mines left behind in rural areas.[35] The majority of the victims are children herding animals or playing in the fields.[34] Adults that survive landmines often require amputation of one or more limbs and have to resort to begging for survival.[35] In 2006, the number of landmines casualties in Cambodia took a sharp decrease of more than 50% compared to 2005, with the number of landmines victims down from 800 in 2005 to less than 400 in 2006. The reduced casualty rate continued in 2007, with 208 casualties (38 killed and 170 injured).[36]"
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Culture and society
Khmer culture, as developed and spread by the Khmer empire, has distinctive styles of dance, architecture and sculpture, which have strongly influenced neighbouring Laos and Thailand. Angkor Wat (Angkor means "city" and Wat "temple") is the best preserved example of Khmer architecture from the Angkorian era and hundreds of other temples have been discovered in and around the region. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the infamous prison of the Khmer Rouge, and Choeung Ek, one of the main Killing Fields are other important historic sites.
Bonn Om Teuk (Festival of Boat Racing), the annual boat rowing contest, is the most attended Cambodian national festival. Held at the end of the rainy season when the Mekong river begins to sink back to its normal levels allowing the Tonle Sap River to reverse flow, approximately 10% of Cambodia's population attends this event each year to play games, give thanks to the moon, watch fireworks, and attend the boat race in a carnival-type atmosphere.[37] Popular games include cockfighting, soccer, and kicking a sey, which is similar to a footbag. Recent artistic figures include singers Sinn Sisamouth and Ros Sereysothea (and later Meng Keo Pichenda), who introduced new musical styles to the country.
Rice, as in other Southeast Asian countries, is the staple grain, while fish from the Mekong and Tonle Sap also form an important part of the diet. The Cambodian per capita supply of fish and fish products for food and trade in 2000 was 20 kilograms of fish per year or 2 ounces per day per person.[38] Some of the fish can be made into prahok for longer storage. Overall, the cuisine of Cambodia is similar to that of its Southeast Asian neighbours. The cuisine is relatively unknown to the world compared to that of its neighbours Thailand and Vietnam.
Football is one of the more popular sports, although professional organized sports are not as prevalent in Cambodia as in western countries due to the economic conditions. The Cambodia national football team managed fourth in the 1972 Asian Cup but development has slowed since the civil war. Western sports such as volleyball, bodybuilding, field hockey, rugby union, golf, and baseball are gaining popularity while traditional boat racing maintains its appeal as a national sport. Martial arts is practiced in Cambodia, as well the native art of Pradal Serey and Bokator.
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Transport
The civil war severely damaged Cambodia's transport system, but with assistance and equipment from other countries Cambodia has been upgrading the main highways to international standards and most are vastly improved from 2006. Most main roads are now paved. Cambodia has two rail lines, totalling about 612 kilometers (380 mi) of single, one meter gauge track.[39] The lines run from the capital to Sihanoukville on the southern coast, and from Phnom Penh to Sisophon (although trains often run only as far as Battambang). Currently only one passenger train per week operates, between Phnom Penh and Battambang.
The nation's extensive inland waterways were important historically in international trade. The Mekong and the Tonle Sap River, their numerous tributaries, and the Tonle Sap provided avenues of considerable length, including 3,700 kilometers (2,300 mi) navigable all year by craft drawing 0.6 meters (2 ft) and another 282 kilometers (175 mi) navigable to craft drawing 1.8 meters (6 ft).[39] Cambodia has two major ports, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, and five minor ones. Phnom Penh, located at the junction of the Bassac, the Mekong, and the Tonle Sap rivers, is the only river port capable of receiving 8,000-ton ships during the wet season and 5,000-ton ships during the dry season.
With increasing economic activity has come an increase in automobile and motorcycle use, though bicycles still predominate; as often in developing countries, an associated rise in traffic deaths and injuries is occurring.[40] Cycle rickshaws ("pʰʊt-pʰʊts") are an additional option often used by visitors.
The country has four commercial airports. Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh is the second largest in Cambodia. Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is the largest and serves the most international flights in and out of Cambodia. The other airports are in Sihanoukville and Battambang.
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International rankings
| Organization | ||
|---|---|---|
| Heritage Foundation | Index of Economic Freedom | 100 out of 157 |
| Reporters Without Borders | Worldwide Press Freedom Index | 85 out of 169 |
| Transparency International | Corruption Perceptions Index | 162 out of 179 |
| United Nations Development Programme | Human Development Index | 131 out of 177 |
| World Economic Forum | Global Competitiveness Report | 110 out of 131 |
| Nation Master | Terrorist Acts 2000-2006 Incidences (most recent) by country ,112 being the least reports of Terrorist Acts | 42 out of 112 |
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See also
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References
- ^ San Miguel eyes projects in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Country-Studies.com. Country Studies Handbook; information taken from US Dept of the Army. Accessed July 25, 2006.
- ^ Britannica.com. History of Cambodia. Accessed July 25, 2006.
- ^ Chandler, David P. "The Land and the People of Cambodia". 1991. HarperCollins. New York, NY. p 77
- ^ Chandler, D.P. (1993). A history of Cambodia (2nd ed.). Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
- ^ Sihanouk, Norodom (1973). My War with the CIA, The Memoirs of Prince Norodom Sihanouk as related to Wilfred Burchett. Pantheon Books.
- ^ Shawcross, William (1987). Sideshow: Kissinger, Nixon and the destruction of Cambodia. United States: Touchstone.
- ^ Ibid., p. 298.
- ^ Pacific Affairs, vol. 56, no. 2, Summer 1983, p. 295.
- ^ Etcheson, Craig, The Rise and Demise of Democratic Kampuchea, Westview Press, 1984, p. 97
- ^ Shawcross, William, Sideshow: Kissinger, Nixon and the Destruction of Cambodia, Touchstone, 1987, pp374-375
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ Shawcross, William, The Quality of Mercy: Cambodia, Holocaust and Modern Conscience, Touchstone, 1985, pp. 115-116.
- ^ Vickery, Michael, Correspondence, Bulletin of Concerned Asian Scholars, vol. 20, no. 1, January-March 1988, p. 73.
- ^ CambodianGenocide.org.A Brief History of the Cambodian Genocide. Accessed July 25, 2006.
- ^ a b US Department of State. Country Profile of Cambodia. Accessed July 26, 2006.
- ^ UN OHCHR Cambodia [2]PDF (10.3 KiB)
- ^ http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2006
- ^ http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2007
- ^ BBC Asia-Pacific News (September 19, 2005). Corruption dents Cambodia democracy. Accessed [[July 24 2006.
- ^ Reuters AlertNet (May 29, 2006). World Bank threatens $64 mln Cambodia aid freeze. Accessed July 24, 2006.
- ^ BBC News (29 May 2006). 'Corruption' curbs Cambodia cash. Accessed July 24, 2006.
- ^ Royal Government of Cambodia.Foreign Embassies.
- ^ Catharin E. Dalpino and David G. Timberman. "Cambodia's Political Future: Issues for U.S. Policy," Asia Society, March 26, 1998.
- ^ Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs of the US Department of State.Report to the Congress on the Anti-Thai Riots in Cambodia on January 29, 2003.
- ^ Planet Ark : Logging threatens Cambodian tragedy - UN
- ^ Economic Institute of Cambodia.
- ^ CIA Factbook. GDP per Capita rankings. Accessed July 24, 2006.
- ^ a b CIA FactBook. Accessed September 9, 2006.
- ^ A Fact Sheet: Cambodia and ADB, Asian Development Bank. Accessed September 9, 2006.
- ^ Royal Government of Cambodia.Tourist statistics. Accessed July 24, 2006.
- ^ Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour of the US Department of State. International Religious Freedom Report 2005. Accessed July 24, 2006.
- ^ a b UNICEF. "The Legacy of Landmines". Accessed July 25, 2006.
- ^ a b PBS.org (July 25, 2003). Cambodia Land Mines. Accessed July 24, 2006.
- ^ Cambodia, Landmine Monitor Report 2007
- ^ Government of Cambodia Webpage, Bonn Om Touk, the Water and Moon Festivals; accessed July 24, 2006
- ^ Earthtrends.org Cambodia Country ProfilePDF
- ^ a b CountryData.com
- ^ "Picking Up Speed: As Cambodia's Traffic Levels Increase, So Too Does the Road Death Toll," The Cambodia Daily, Saturday, March 9–10, 2002."
- Business in Asia report on airports. Accessed 13 November 2005
- Cambodian Culture website Accessed December 11, 2004
- Cambodian Economy Information Accessed January 19, 2005
- CIA World Factbook U.S. Department of State website
- Encyclopaedia Britannica's Cambodia Country Page
- Fredenburg, P. and B. Hill. 2006. Sharing Rice for Peace and Prosperity in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Sid Harta Publishers, Victoria. ISBN 1-921206-08-X. pp271
- IFES Summary of 2003 legislative election results. Accessed January 27, 2005
- Jahn GC. 2006. The Dream is not yet over. In: P. Fredenburg P, Hill B, editors. Sharing rice for peace and prosperity in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Victoria, (Australia): Sid Harta Publishers. ISBN 1-921206-08-X. p 237–240
- Jahn, GC 2007. Rice and life along the Mekong River. Rice Today 6(2):4.
- Kerlogue, Fiona Arts of Southeast Asia. Thames and Hudson 2004. ISBN 0-500-20381-4
- Ministry of Tourism statistics on tourism. Accessed January 27, 2005
- NGO Forum on Cambodia report on 2003 legislative elections. Accessed January 27, 2005
- Puckridge, D. 2004. The Burning of the Rice. Sid Harta Publishers, Victoria. ISBN 1-877059-73-0. pp326
- Radio Broadcasting in Cambodia Accessed January 23, 2005
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External links
| Find more about Cambodia on Wikipedia's sister projects: | |
|---|---|
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Dictionary definitions |
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Textbooks |
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Quotations |
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Source texts |
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Images and media |
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News stories |
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Learning resources |
- Official
- King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk Official Website of former King Norodom Sihanouk
- Cambodia.gov.kh Official Royal Government of Cambodia Website (English Version)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
- Cambodia e-Visa, Applying Travel Visa Online
- Overviews
- Cambodia entry at The World Factbook
- Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports regarding Cambodia
- V.R.Khmer - What you should know before you go to Cambodia.
- Sharing Growth: Equity and Development in Cambodia - a report by the World Bank, launched on June 12, 2007 at the Cambodia Development Cooperation Forum (CDCF)
- Cambodia Country Factsheet from The Common Language Project
- Overview Article on Cambodia's Contemporary Political Economy: "The Neoliberal 'Order' in Cambodia: Political Violence, Democracy, and the Contestation of Public Space" by Simon Springer, PhD Candidate, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
- Other
- CMDGs - Cambodia Millennium Development Goals
- Cambodia travel guide from Wikitravel
- Cambodia at the Open Directory Project
- Ka-set - Ka-set.info, news about Cambodia and Cambodians in the world in khmer language
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