The Kingdom of Cambodia – located on the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, has nearly 14 million people, most of whom are the Khmers who are the indigenous people of this country. Currently, Cambodian territory covers 181,040 sq. km., but formerly there was the powerful Khmer empire, which between the ninth and thirteenth century ruled the Indo-china Peninsula. Most residents are followers of Buddhism. The official language is Khmer. Beset by internal unrest, Cambodia has only recently allowed travelers to discover it’s beauty.

The main elements of the geography of this country are the Mekong valley, over which is the capital city of Phnom Penh, and the vast Tonle Sap lake. Just around the sites comprising the majority of the population. Along the coast of Cambodia stretch the bands of the Cardamom and Elephant Mountains, and the northern regions border with Thailand’s rising Dângrêk Mountains.

The most beautiful beaches of Cambodia are Occheuteal Beach, located near the port of Sihanoukville. The area near Sihanoukville is full of small islands, which you can go hire a boat to take you to, where there are good conditions for snorkeling.

A characteristic element of the Khmer costume is Krama – the traditional cotton plaid colored grille, worn regardless of age and gender, which is a symbol of the Khmer national identity. Krama has many uses, serves as ornaments, scarves, protection from sun and wind, but it can also be used as a towel or even help with climbing trees. It can also pin up in a sarong, a characteristic skirt worn by both women and men.

Traditional welcome in Cambodia lies in bowing with folded hands. This avoids the gesture of shaking hands and, although this is acceptable in relation to foreigners, men never greet women in this way. Be sure to not touch the head of the Cambodian citizen or indicate anything about the foot, because these gestures are considered very offensive.

Cambodian cuisine combines the culinary traditions of Vietnam and Thailand. Its main ingredients are rice and fish, but an integral part of the traditional meals are soups. A characteristic addition to many dishes is fish sauce.

Climate

Cambodia’s tropical climate divides the year for the dry season and rainy. Ongoing from June to November the rainy season in Cambodia haunted by the monsoon rains and the temperature is from 27° to 35° C. The dry season is an initially cold period, lasting from November to February, when temperatures range from 17 to 27° C. In the beginning of March with the advent of the period of hot temperatures may rise up to 29° – 35° C and stay at this level until May.

The ideal months for a trip to Cambodia are December and January, when it is cloudy, and the humidity and the air temperature falls. Rainfall during the rainy season is very short and intense. It does not represent greater obstacles and, despite the high humidity, can make a trip to the ruins of Angkor particularly pleasant, causing intense bloom of vegetation surrounding temples. Due to the very high temperature after April during this month should be avoided.

Main Attractions

Phnom Penh

The country’s capital, Phnom Penh, located at the convergence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap is the gateway to Cambodia. From this city, you can start a wonderful journey, sailing up the river and past the floating village of Kompong Chhnang and Kompong Luong, and after having roamed the great lake of Tonle Sap to Siem Reap reach, at the threshold of the legendary Angkor Wat. Phnom Penh also offers a convenient road connection with the beaches of Sihanoukville in the south. Before traveling it is worth a visit to the capital of Cambodia, where places such as the Royal Palace, National Museum, Silver Pagoda and Wat Phnom hill are testimony to the history and culture of this country.

Siem Reap and Angkor

Siem Reap is a city located on the river of the same name, which commemorates the victorious Khmer Empire, where troops clashed with an army of Siam. The neighborhood on the Indo-china Peninsula’s largest lake Tonle Sap enables students to embark on an interesting voyage.

Nearby Siem Reap are monumental remains of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer empire and the world’s largest temple complex with the famous temple of Angkor Wat. Angkor is a beautiful ruins of a huge city, once numbering more than a million inhabitants, and at the same time a symbol of Cambodia. The dreamlike beauty of the Angkor complex of buildings that made this place became the setting for films such as “Lord Jim” and “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider”.

Currency – riel (KHR)