Kingdom of Cambodia
Kingdom of Cambodia 12798
Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia, and shares borders with Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.
Cambodia is the English name for the country, taken from French. While Kampuchea (កម្ពុជា), the former name of the country in English, is closer to the Khmer language. Kampuchea is derived in the Khmer language from the ancient kingdom of Kambuja (कम्बोजदेश “Land of Kambuja”). Kambuja is an ancient Sanskrit name for the Kambujas, one of the first tribes in northern India, named after their founder Kambu Svayampova, who is believed to be a synonym of Cambyses. Kampuchea means "Kingdom of Cambodia".
The origin of the word goes back to: Priya (“sacred”), Reach (“king or mine” from Sanskrit), Anna (from Pali anna, “power or leadership” or from Sanskrit itself where it has the same meaning), Chak (from Sanskrit chakra, It means "the wheel", a symbol of power and sovereignty. The name used at official events, such as political speeches and news programmes, is Prateh Kampuchea (Khmer: ប្រទេសកម្ពុជា), literally meaning "the State of Cambodia". Praté is a formal word meaning "country". The colloquial name used by most Khmer people is Srok Khmyh (Khmer: ស្រុកខ្មែរ), which literally means “Land of the Khmer”. The word Srok belongs to the Mon-Khmer family, which is very close to the meaning of Prateh, but is less formal.
The word Khmer is pronounced with the final "r" in the Khmer alphabet, but this pronunciation has fallen out of use in most Khmer dialects since the 19th century. Since its original independence, the official name of Cambodia has changed several times, due to the country's turbulent history. The following names have been used in English and French since 1954:
Here is information and facts about this country.
🌎Geographic and natural:
▪ Location and area: Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia, bordered by Thailand to the west and northwest, Laos to the north, Vietnam to the east and southeast, and the Gulf of Thailand to the south. Its area is about 181,035 square kilometers.
▪Terrain: Cambodia is characterized by diverse terrain that includes low plains, hills, and mountains. In the middle are the fertile plains of Lake Tonle Sap, which is one of the largest lakes in Southeast Asia. The Cardamom Mountains in the southwest and the Damre Mountains in the north are the most notable mountainous areas.
▪Climate: Cambodia has a monsoon tropical climate, with two main seasons: the rainy season (from May to October) and the dry season (from November to April). Annual temperatures range between 21 and 35 degrees Celsius.
▪Bodies of water: Cambodia includes a wide network of rivers, most notably the Mekong River, which crosses the country from north to south. Lake Tonle Sap is an important source of fresh water and fishing.
🌎 Demographic and social:
▪Population: Cambodia’s population is about 16.7 million people.
▪Ethnic Diversity: The Khmer make up about 90% of the population, with ethnic minorities including the Vietnamese, Chinese, Chams, and many other small ethnic groups.
▪Languages: The official language is Khmer, which is spoken by most of the population. English and French are widely used in business and education.
▪Religion: Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion, embraced by about 95% of the population. There are religious minorities that include Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism.
🌎 Economical:
▪Gross Domestic Product: Cambodia is considered a developing economy, as the economy relies heavily on agriculture, industry, and services.
▪Main industries: The main industries in Cambodia include the clothing industry, tourism, construction, agriculture, and mining.
▪Agriculture: Agriculture plays an important role in the economy, with major crops including rice, rubber, corn, cassava, vegetables, and fruits. Fisheries are also an important source of income.
▪Trade: Main exports include clothing, rice, rubber, fish, timber, and bicycles. Cambodia imports fuel, electrical equipment, machinery, and chemicals.
🌎 Historical:
▪Ancient Period: Cambodia was home to the ancient Khmer Empire that flourished between the ninth and fifteenth centuries, known for building the famous temples of Angkor Wat.
▪French colonialism: Cambodia became a French protectorate in 1863 and remained under French control until 1953 when it gained its independence.
▪Rule of the Khmer Rouge: In the 1970s, Cambodia was subject to the rule of the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot, whose brutal regime led to the deaths of about two million people through mass executions, hunger, and forced labor.
▪Modern period: After the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979, Cambodia suffered from political instability and civil conflicts until the 1990s. The country enjoyed free elections in 1993 and began reconstruction and development.
🌎 Political:
▪Political system: Cambodia is a constitutional, democratic, parliamentary kingdom. The king is the head of state, while the prime minister exercises executive power.
▪Presidency: The current king is Norodom Sihamoni, who assumed the throne in 2004. The current Prime Minister is Hun Sen, who has held the position since 1985.
▪Parliament: The Cambodian Parliament consists of two chambers: the National Assembly (lower house) and the Senate (upper house). Members of the National Assembly are elected every five years.
▪Political parties: The main parties include the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) led by Prime Minister Hun Sen, the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), and other less influential parties.
▪Judicial system: The judicial system in Cambodia is theoretically independent, but faces challenges related to corruption and political interference.

🌎 Other information about the country:
▪Culture: Cambodia has a rich and diverse culture that reflects its Buddhist heritage and the influences of the Khmer Empire. Traditional arts include Khmer dance, music, and handicrafts.
▪Education and Health: Cambodia faces challenges in the education and health sectors, with governmental and international attempts to improve educational and health services.
▪Tourism: Tourism is considered one of the main economic sectors, as the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, Sihanoukville’s beaches, and beautiful landscapes attract visitors from all over the world.
▪Infrastructure: Cambodia is witnessing improvements in infrastructure, including roads, bridges, airports, and ports, supported by foreign investments and international aid.


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