Cambodia is not yet as popular a tourist destination as neighboring Thailand and Vietnam. But every year more and more people come here to see the sights (especially), get acquainted with the Khmer culture (one of the oldest on the Asian continent), swim in the azure sea and on the cleanest beaches. Every year the country is visited by several million people, a large percentage of tourists from Russia. And if you have never been here before, then you should definitely visit these lands. And we will tell you about sights and resorts, help you buy cheap air tickets and recommend good hotels.
The country has its own unique flavor. The local people are very welcoming. It is not spoiled by crowds of tourists, therefore it treats foreigners with great respect and does not consider them walking ATMs, as in Thailand at popular resorts. Of course, in the main tourist places you can find “bred”, “molested” and “helped” (especially among taxi drivers), but this happens in any country.
All types of recreation are represented in the country: beach, sightseeing, entertainment. Popular resorts and cities have all the infrastructure, although not as impressive as in Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. Large selection of hotels (expensive, medium and cheap), restaurants, bars, nightclubs, discos, massage parlors, banks, shops, tour agencies, motorbike rentals, etc. Strawberry lovers can easily find a girlfriend for the night and adult entertainment, while the prices for this are among the lowest in Southeast Asia.
Since Cambodia is not flooded with crowds of tourists, the local beaches are not filled to capacity, there are not very many people even on the most popular ones. There are many places where you will generally swim in complete solitude.
As for the excursion program, the country has the main attraction of all of Southeast Asia and the largest temple complex in the world -. This ancient grandiose building attracts many people here. But besides this temple, there are many others. interesting places, both historical and cultural, and natural, for example, Ton Le Sap is the largest lake in Southeast Asia. And National parks with unique flora and fauna occupy a quarter of the country's territory. So for eco-tourists here is a real expanse.
Beach holidays are rapidly developing in Cambodia, because the length of the coastline is 443 km. The most important resort of the country, located on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand - Sihanoukville.
There are many hotels, nightlife, restaurants and everything else. All types of water activities are available. Less developed resorts in terms of tourism and therefore excellent for wild holidays are located on the islands: Koh Kong, Koh Dek-Kul, Koh Rong, Koh Tang and others.
Story
Cambodia is the oldest country in Southeast Asia. According to scientific data, these lands were already inhabited 15,000 years ago. Until the 9th century, there were many small principalities that were at enmity with each other. But at the beginning of the 9th century, they began to unite into one powerful state, which later became known as Kambujadesh, with its capital at. It occupied the territory of modern Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, part of Myanmar (Burma) and Malaysia. At least the fact that more than a million people lived in it speaks of its power (for comparison, in large cities of Europe, the population rarely exceeded 50 thousand at that time).
But from the 14th century, it begins to lose its strength due to numerous wars with Ayutthaya. In 1353, the Thais captured and partially destroyed it.
From 1863 to 1953 in the history of Cambodia comes the colonial period. From 1975 to 1978, the Khmer Rouge ruled here, led by Pol Pot. His wild "reforms" threw the country back hundreds of years economically. At that time it was called Kampuchea.
With the beginning of the 80s, a gradual restoration began, which has not been completed to this day. Tourism began to develop in the 1990s. The inhabitants of the country are optimistic about the future and are confident that Cambodia will again become a strong and powerful state, as it has been for many hundreds of years. Read more about this in the article.
State structure
The government of Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the king. The head of government is the prime minister. The legislature is the National Assembly and the Senate. The country consists of 23 provinces (khet) and 1 city of central government (krong). The provinces are divided into districts (term).
Religion
The state religion of Cambodia is Theravada Buddhism (Hinayana). It is practiced by 95% of the population. There are more than 4,000 temples in the country and most of the locals come here to pray and pay respect to the Buddha. Some hill tribes practice their ancient cults. 300 thousand Muslims adhere to Islam (most of them live in the province of Kampong Cham).
Time in Cambodia
Time zone UTC+7. Local time is ahead of Moscow by 4 hours. For example, when it is noon in the capital of Russia, it will be 16 hours at all resorts.
Currency
Visa to Cambodia
Russians need a visa. It costs $30 and is issued upon arrival. You need to fill out a short questionnaire, where you indicate your full name, citizenship, passport number, date of birth and answer a few more simple questions. Issued for a month.
If you arrived by land from Thailand, then at the border with Russian citizens they require an additional 100 Thai baht, and sometimes more. And although it is illegal, it is useless to fight, because the higher authorities are also "in the share."
By the way, don't forget to check the .
Insurance
Cambodia is not among the countries where health insurance is mandatory. Nevertheless, we recommend doing it, because a vacation in a foreign country can be unpredictable, and treatment abroad is very expensive. Please note that most insurances have restrictions and do not work if you have alcohol in your blood. Also, if you plan to take vehicles such as a scooter or ATV, you need to add an item - outdoor activities.
The cost of basic medical insurance for Cambodia in 2017 is from 500 rubles per person per week.
Internet and Cellular
Internet in Cambodia is available in all tourist places, almost every, even an inexpensive hotel has Wi-Fi. There are many internet cafes. You can also get online using your mobile phone.
cellular also well developed. There are about a dozen operators, the main one being Mobitel. A call to Russia costs about $0.15. Catch MTS, Beeline and Megafon. To call Russia, dial 00-7. Then the area code and the subscriber's number itself. Calls from Russia to Cambodia: 8-10-855-city code-subscriber number. Tourist city codes:
- Phnom Penh - 23,
- Siem Reap - 63,
- Sihanoukville - 34,
- Battambang - 53,
- Kampot - 33.
Cambodia on the world map
How to get to Cambodia
It is not possible to go directly to Cambodia from Russia, currently there are only connecting flights with transfers in Bangkok (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi (both Vietnam), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and other countries. Planes usually fly to Phnom Penh, less often to Siem Reap (where it is located - the main attraction of the country).
Cheap flights to Cambodia
You can buy air tickets as profitably as possible with the help of special search engines that collect data from all airlines.
You can get to Cambodia from other Asian countries not only by air, but by land and even water. There are buses from Thailand, Vietnam and Laos and boats from the border town of Chau Doc (Vietnam).
Transport
Transport communication in Cambodia is one of the most underdeveloped among all the countries of Southeast Asia. The railways were almost completely destroyed during the reign of the Khmer Rouge in the late 70s. Between cities it is best to travel by bus (they are air-conditioned and quite comfortable) and taxis. Boats run between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Air travel is quite expensive.
Public transport in cities is practically not developed. Even in the capital, Phnom Penh, there are no buses. Locals usually have their own motorbike, and tourists are forced to use motorcycle taxis and tuk-tuks. Luckily, they are one of the cheapest in Asia. Air-conditioned taxis are not easy to find, they are mostly located near airports.
In Cambodia, you can cheaply rent a motorbike (from $5), a bicycle (from $1) or a car (from $25).
Attractions
The main attraction of Cambodia is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.
Declared a cultural heritage of mankind by UNESCO. In addition to it, there are many other interesting temples in the country, although not so grandiose. A large number of natural attractions are located in the National Parks: waterfalls, caves, flora, fauna. Interesting lake Ton Le Sap - the largest in Southeast Asia.
In Phnom Penh you can see the Royal Palace, the National Museum, several temples.
Why go to Cambodia. Country Features
The answer to this question can be devoted to more than one page. In short, here are a few reasons:
View, listed among the new Seven Wonders of the World;
Get acquainted with the culture of the ancient Khmer state, which for many centuries was the most powerful in Southeast Asia;
Relax on relatively sparsely populated beaches, where there are no crowds of tourists yet and the sea is not polluted. Go to the islands, where there are even fewer people;
To get the same as in neighboring countries, but much cheaper (hotels on the coast, food, shopping, massages, affordable girls).
Who should go: those who want to diversify their travel luggage, not limiting it to the hyped Thailand and Vietnam. Who doesn't love crowds of tourists on the beaches and streets. Who wants to look at the virgin nature, untouched by man. Recommended for budget travelers.
Cities and resorts of Cambodia
The most famous city in Cambodia is. But this is a historical value, which is a huge temple complex, so you can’t stay there for the night. But all the hotels are located close - in the city
The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly often referred to as Kampuchea, is a small state in southeast Asia, in the southern part of the Indochina peninsula. Larger states are located around Cambodia - Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. The border with Vietnam is the longest (1228 km) and is located in the east. From the west and north, Cambodia borders on Thailand (803 km). Also in the north is the border with Laos, 541 km long. Cambodia has access to the sea - its shores are washed by the waters of the Sima Bay from the southwest. In addition, Cambodia owns several islands located in this bay, in particular Kong, Pring, Tang and others.
Cambodia is a fairly small country, covering an area of 181,000 square kilometers. The population is 14,805,000 people, which is almost three times more than in neighboring Laos. The most common ethnic group is the Khmers, who make up 80% of the total population of the country. Among national minorities, people from neighboring Vietnam and China stand out, as well as a few nationalities, such as Chama and some others. The official language is Khmer. Locals more or less speak English in the main tourist cities - Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh. Part of the population speaks French.
The capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia is the city of Phnom Penh, where just over 2 million people live. The national currency is the riel. 1 ruble is equal to approximately 140 riels.
How to get there
Cambodia is by no means the cherished dream of an ordinary tourist or a developed economic country, so getting to the Khmer state from Russia is not so easy - there are no direct flights to this country. On the other hand, Cambodia's neighbors are states such as Thailand and Vietnam, which have long been successfully loved by Russian tourists (especially Thailand), so those who want to visit Cambodia will first have to become a guest of one of the countries mentioned above .
So, from Moscow you can safely fly to Hanoi, Noi Bai airport, by flights of several airlines - Aeroflot and Vietnam Airlines. In addition, Vietnam Airlines operates flights to Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. The flight to Southeast Asia is quite grueling and lasts more than 9 hours, so, for example, Vietnam Airlines flights are served by comfortable Boeings, and meals are served twice. Aeroflot planes take off from Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, and Vietnam Airlines from Domodedovo. For short-term (less than 15 days) visits to Vietnam, Russian citizens do not need a visa, which is good news for those whose main goal is Cambodia.
The same is true with a trip through Thailand - in this country, Russians can do without a visa for 30 days. To go through customs and passport control, you need to have a foreign passport (valid for at least 6 months), air ticket, voucher or hotel reservation, insurance policy. You can fly to Bangkok from Russia from several cities at once, in addition to Moscow: from Yekaterinburg, St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk, Vladivostok, Novosibirsk and Irkutsk. An S7 plane flies from Novosibirsk every two weeks to Ho Chi Minh City, and a Vladivostok-Avia plane flies from Vladivostok to Hanoi every week.
From Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok to the capital of Cambodia - the city of Phnom Penh - there are regular flights operated by the Vietnamese airline Vietnam Airlines and Thai Airways. The low-fire Air Asia also flies this route. However, for some tourists, traveling such a short distance by plane for a lot of money (most often this does not apply to the last carrier) is not very reasonable. Fortunately, there are alternatives.
The most common way is ground transport - buses and trains. Cambodia does not have direct rail links with neighboring countries, so inside it, in any case, you will have to use buses, or taxis and tuk-tuks.
There are several ways to get from Bangkok to Cambodia. It is most convenient to travel by train through Thailand and by bus in Cambodia, as the direct bus route from Bangkok to Phnom Penh is too long and exhausting.
The best option is to travel from Bangkok to the Cambodian city of Siem Reap and further across the country, in particular, to Phnom Penh. The fact is that it is near Siem Reap that Angkor is located - an ancient city, without which the sights of Cambodia are unthinkable. In Bangkok, you need to take a train from Hualampong Station to Araniapratet near the border with Cambodia.
Directly to the border Poipet can be reached by motorcycle, tuk-tuk or bus (the most cheap option). It is easier to take a taxi from Poipet to Siem Reap - prices in Cambodia are unusually low. From Siem Reap to Phnom Penh there are buses and water transport. Poipet border checkpoint is open from 7-00 to 20-00.
Another option is a 2-day trip directly from Bangkok to Phnom Penh. The first half of the journey is similar - by train to Araniapratet and from there to the border Poipet. Further, the route passes through Battambang, where you will have to spend the night, and only in the morning by bus to get to Phnom Penh.
From Vietnam, from Ho Chi Minh City, to Phnom Penh there is a 6-hour bus departing from the station located at 237 Pham Ngu Lao Str, Ben Nghe Ward, 1Dist, HCMC.
Customs
When entering the country, certain customs regulations apply. So, it is impossible to export and import local currency, and foreign currency can only be within the established limits - no more than 10,000 US dollars. If the amount is higher, you will have to declare. In addition, alcohol and tobacco can be imported into Cambodia without paying duties for personal purposes. Weapons, drugs, poisonous substances, ammunition and media materials that offend local culture are strictly prohibited from importing. Leaving Cambodia, you can not export wild animals and stuffed animals, as well as antiques and works of art that constitute the national treasure of the country, and jewelry in bulk.
Visa
Applying for a visa to Cambodia is not such a complicated process, in any case, it cannot be compared with obtaining visas to the United States and the Schengen countries. However, there are still some nuances, and it is better to know about them in advance. As the saying goes, forewarned is forearmed.
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Climate and weather in Cambodia
The territory of most of the country is very low - 75% of the area is located at an altitude of no more than 100 meters above sea level. Naturally, there are exceptions, for example, the Cardamom Mountains, stretching in the west of the country with the highest point in Cambodia - Mount Phnom Oral (1813 meters).
The climate in Cambodia is tropical, monsoonal, with a pronounced division into two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The rainy season lasts approximately from May-June to October. Especially a lot of precipitation falls from July to September, when the main lake of the country, Tonle Sap, bursts its banks. However, as is often the case in countries with a similar climate, the rains, although heavy, are short-lived. The dry season lasts from November to April - this is the best time to visit the country. There is almost no rain at this time, and in March and April there are the most high temperatures The most pleasant weather is during the winter months.
In principle, the temperature throughout the year fluctuates between +25 and +40: in the summer months, on average, from +26 to +32, and in winter - from +22 to +26. During the year, approximately 750 to 2000 mm of precipitation falls and the humidity is traditionally high - more than 90%.
Cities and regions
The small territory of Cambodia is divided into 23 provinces (khet). In addition, there is one city of central subordination (krong) - this, of course, is the capital of the country - Phnom Penh.
Phnom Penh
Where to go in Cambodia
Attractions
Museums and galleries
Entertainment
Parks and recreation areas
Transport
Private guides in Cambodia
Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Cambodia in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.
Movement around the country
With transport in Cambodia, to put it mildly, trouble. The country's economy is almost barely making ends meet, so the infrastructure leaves much to be desired. As already noted, there has been no rail service within Cambodia for several years, and air travel between cities, for example, between Sihanoukville and Siem Reap, can be expensive even for visitors.
Intercity buses run between the capitals of the provinces - this is perhaps the best option to get, for example, from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. In total, there are over 35,000 kilometers of road in Cambodia, of which only 20 percent are paved. The rest are covered with gravel or are ordinary primers, so in the rainy season this is a rather pathetic sight. Many roads were destroyed during the hostilities in Cambodia, such as the main highway of the country - Highway No. 1, connecting Phnom Penh with the Vietnamese border. True, it was restored already in the early 80s thanks to the help of Vietnam. By the way, the Soviet Union played an active part in the restoration of the Cambodian infrastructure.
Buses running between cities are quite comfortable and inexpensive - for example, a trip from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap will cost about $ 5.
There are several bus companies in Cambodia that provide roughly the same service. The difference in price is small - 1-2 $.All bus companies have their own "bus station" - bus station, where tickets are sold, there is a bus waiting area (with benches), a toilet. Often this is just a parking space for buses, and you have to wait for them under simple sheds.
Also from Phnom Penh, buses run to the border point with Thailand Poipet and Moc Bai on the border with Vietnam. You can also travel between cities in a rented car with a driver. It will cost 20-30 dollars per day. In Phnom Penh, you can easily rent such a taxi at the Central Market. If you do this in a group, then, of course, it will be more economical. It is strongly not recommended to drive a car on your own in Cambodia - local roads and driving features are “contraindicated” for tourists.
Water transport also runs between cities. Ferries run from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, crossing the main Cambodian lake, Tonle Sap. True, the downside here is both the high cost (about $ 25), and non-compliance with safety standards and, as a result, terrible overcrowding of ferries. There is a ferry service from Siem Reap to Battambang, although this option is not as convenient as traveling by land. There is also a popular route from Kah Kong to the resort of Sihanoukville. It is especially in demand during the rainy season, when most of the roads are simply blurry.
In terms of air transport, there are essentially three decent airports in the country - Phnom Penh International Airport, Sihanoukville Local Airport and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport - the busiest in Cambodia. The Phnom Penh-Siem Reap route is naturally the most popular in the country. Flights between these cities are operated by the two largest airlines of the Khmer state - and.
Urban transport
In the city among all Vehicle the palm should be given, probably, to a moped. Motorcycle taxis are certainly not the safest mode of transport, but in the chaos of the cities of Southeast Asia, they are almost perfect. In tourist places, motorcycle taxi drivers for the most part speak English and know the area very well - the main thing for a tourist is to decide for himself where exactly he wants to go. The price of the trip should always be negotiated in advance, as well as the route, since a slight change in it will immediately give a signal to the driver that you need to demand a b about more pay. You need to pay in small money, because drivers do not always have change, and even if they do, he won’t tell you about it anyway.
A motorcycle taxi with a driver can be rented for the whole day. In addition, there is always the opportunity to rent a moped yourself to see some specific sights outside the city. True, care should be taken - traffic in Cambodia is much crazier than even in Russian cities. Renting a moped for the whole day will cost about $5. It is possible that the company's employees will "find" a lot of "tourist-made" scratches and damage, so in order to avoid fraud, you can simply take photos of the moped before renting it.
Ordinary taxis are also popular in cities. For example, from Phnom Penh Airport to the city center by taxi can be reached for $ 8. In addition, the practice of renting a car with a driver for the whole day is common among tourists, in particular, for sightseeing in Angkor. It will cost about 30-50 dollars, depending on the size of the car. And the main advice is to bargain. Three times cheaper than renting an ordinary tuk-tuk.
Kitchen
Cambodian cuisine is unique in its own way, although many culinary traditions are intertwined in it. First of all, this concerns the influence of neighboring countries - Thailand and Vietnam. China and India also influenced the formation of Cambodian cuisine, and during the era of French colonization, European gastronomic traditions also penetrated the country. All this eventually gave the phenomenon that is commonly called the cuisine of Cambodia. A Western tourist here, on the one hand, can especially not risk his stomach and eat carefully, “European-style”, and on the other hand, plunge into the culinary exoticism of this mysterious country. The benefit of exotics is more than enough here.
The basis of Cambodian cuisine is, of course, rice. This culture is perhaps the main symbol of Southeast Asia and the most popular ingredient in local dishes. Rice often goes as a side dish; in Cambodia, vegetable oils like peanut, coconut or palm oil and a lot of greens are usually added to it. Such rice is present on the table in Cambodian families almost every day, and in addition to it there are fish, meat or seafood. The result is a dish called "baicha". Rice with pork and soy is also popular, which is called "un-som-chro". You can also try a more unusual dish - rice with bananas.
In Russia, they are used to eating soups for lunch, but a simple Cambodian does not care about this - he has soup for breakfast. Most often it is a soup with rice noodles and various herbs, meat, fish or shrimp, called kiteou. This soup can be easily tasted in every cafe in the country. There are more exotic soups, the ingredients of which are even snails and frog legs - for this you need to say thanks to the French colonizer. Also, the French should be thanked for the fact that cheeses, delicious buns and bread, baked throughout the country, have “rooted” in Cambodian cuisine. Pasta lovers will not be left out either - in Cambodia, such types of noodles as fried rice noodles or rice noodles with many different spices, seasonings and sauces are very popular, most of which have a very specific taste.
Meat dishes are less popular than fish dishes. There are no problems with fish in Cambodia (especially in coastal areas), so you can almost always enjoy dishes from the freshest fish in local cafes and restaurants. For example, samla-machu-banle, one of the most popular soups in the country, is prepared from fish, as well as dtrai-chin-nyung soup, which has a characteristic sour taste, amok, a fish curry with coconut sauce, and countless others. original and not very fish dishes. In addition, Cambodians are famous for their fish sauces and pastas. For example, prahok is a salty paste made from fermented fish with a rather pungent odor and some others. As far as meat is concerned, poultry meat is primarily eaten. Pork, beef and goat meat are less common, although it is not difficult to find dishes from them.
Returning to sauces, it is worth adding that they are often added to vegetables, which are usually eaten along with main dishes of rice, fish and meat. Vegetables are most often eaten in the form of some specific salads with the addition of vegetable oils, spices and herbs. In addition, meat or fish are also put in vegetable salads, which only makes them more about more originality.
Where there are vegetables, there are fruits. And Southeast Asia is just a fruity Klondike. Not only are there an incredible number of species here, but sometimes they make truly amazing things. A myriad of fruit puddings, desserts, salads, cakes and pies with fruit - all this awaits you in any Cambodian restaurant for ridiculous money. Many exotic fruits grow on the territory of Cambodia, which you can hardly find and try in the West - guava, rambutan, longan, mangosteen and the famous durian - the unofficial owner of the most terrifying smell in the world and the largest amount of vitamins.
It is impossible not to mention how “omnivorous” the locals are, since a huge amount of such living creatures is eaten here, at the sight of which civilized Europeans are used to wincing. Cambodians do not deny themselves the pleasure of eating fried grasshoppers, spiders, beetles, insect larvae, meat and entrails of snakes, bird embryos and other exotic things. Anyone can taste all this - if he, of course, has the courage.
Among the drinks in Cambodia, Chinese green tea is especially common, which is sometimes not even included in the bill. As for the original local drinks, it is worth highlighting “tektnot” - palm tree juice, samrong seed infusion, sugar cane juice and coconut milk. In hot weather, the local drink “dtyuk-rolok”, which is prepared from egg yolk and various fruits, can be useful. Cambodians are far from the most drinking nation on the planet, but alcohol is naturally available here. First of all, this is the most popular beer in the country, Angkor, as well as some other varieties - Lao, Alain Delon and such exotic ones as palm beer, etc. Cambodia even produces its own whiskey, which has a very specific from the point of view of a European taste.
Purchases
The markets of Cambodia, especially in large cities - Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, are full of an abundance of all kinds of souvenirs and interesting things that visiting tourists are happy to take away with them as a keepsake.
Perhaps the main Cambodian souvenir is silk. Silk fabrics can be found here in all sorts of colors and finishes, for example, very thin and elegant gauze silk or more dense and coarse wild silk. Many silk products are sold in Cambodian markets at very low prices, but the quality can sometimes fail, and the product will shed after washing. The best silk is produced in the provinces of Takeo and Kampong Cham.
Many folk crafts flourish in Cambodia, which only increases the number of all kinds of souvenirs in local markets. For example, souvenirs made by local woodcarvers are quite popular. These wooden products are very beautiful and original and can be perfect as a gift. Wooden figurines of the Buddha are very popular with tourists. Also in the markets you can see pottery suitable for cooking, decorative ceramics, wicker baskets, which are very common among the female population of the country, and much more.
In addition to silk clothes, you can also buy krama - these are traditional Khmer cotton scarves, very popular among visitors. However, tourists willingly buy not only Cambodian clothes, but also Cambodian silver. There are plenty of silver shops in Phnom Penh and other large cities, and local silver products are quite cheap and of more or less good quality (pure silver content can reach 70-80%).
Certain restrictions apply to the export of antiques. When buying an antique item, you need to check with the Cambodian Ministry of Culture whether it is allowed to be taken out of the country or not, as there may be problems at customs. Products from precious stones in Cambodia, you can easily buy in large markets like the Central in Phnom Penh. Popular are emeralds, sapphires, rubies and some others - both in a frame and without it. Stone sculptures of the Buddha, not having historical value, from Cambodia can be exported freely, but from Thailand - no. Tourists may also be interested in ancient Cambodian agricultural tools sold at the Siem Reap market.
Finding Cambodia on the world map is easy. It is located in the southern part of the Indochinese Peninsula, which belongs to the Southeast region of Asia. The shores of Cambodia are washed by the warm waters of the quiet Gulf of Thailand. The neighbors of this kingdom are Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
Holidays in Cambodia: history and modernity
The history of the state of Cambodia, as well as its territorial neighbors Vietnam, Laos and Thailand are closely intertwined. This is due to the fact that the above countries were part of a very powerful, at one time, Khmer Empire. Therefore, Cambodia is able to surprise its guests not only with its unique nature, unforgettable landscapes, but also with a huge number of interesting sights. Tours to Cambodia are the key to an exciting and unforgettable vacation.
Tourists have always been interested in the historical heritage of the Khmer Empire. Due to frequent wars, tourism in Cambodia did not develop for a very long period, until the end of the 20th century. To date, the situation inside the country has not stabilized enough. However, the number of tourists interested in Siamese history and local attractions is only increasing every year.
Cities of Cambodia and their attractions
Phnom Penh is a city that managed to avoid rampant industrialization and still remain the capital of Cambodia. Here, every centimeter is saturated with oriental flavor. The local architecture is so peculiar that it is almost impossible to confuse Phnom Penh with another city. Must-sees are the royal palace, the silver pagoda, as well as the national museum, which has collected the largest collection of exhibits from the 4th-13th centuries related to the heritage of ancient Khmer culture. Settled in the museum the bats which tourists enjoy watching in the evenings.
Tours to Cambodia
The city of Kampot has long been a favorite resort of the colonists. This is not surprising, because there are beautiful seascapes, mountains with beautiful waterfalls, as well as many examples of colonial architecture in the form of luxurious mansions.
Simrip, thanks to the temple complex of Angkor, which is considered the cradle of the Khmer civilization, has become very popular among tourists. All historical sights here have survived to our times, because Simrip managed to avoid the destruction of the Khmer Rouge.
Tours to Cambodia from Moscow, St. Petersburg and other Russian cities
A trip to Cambodia will appeal to tourists who prefer rich and informative excursions, as well as active sea holidays, including diving and snorkeling. Many choose combined tours that cover several countries in Southeast Asia, such as Cambodia-Laos. Tourists are attracted by affordable prices for all services. The approximate cost of the tour for 5 days and 6 nights will be $ 500, plus airfare.
Kingdom of Cambodia(Khmer. ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា , Preăh Réachéanachâkr Kâmpŭchea; for a while the country was known as Cambodia listen)) is a state in, in the south of the Indochina peninsula, with the capital. The area is 181 thousand km². Population - more than 15 million people (15,577,899 according to 2015 data); over 80% are Khmers. Since 1993 - a constitutional monarchy, the head of state is the king. The legislature is a bicameral parliament (National Assembly and Senate). In the east it borders with, in the north - with, in the northwest - with.
Etymology
Cambodia- the name of the Khmer country, borrowed from Sanskrit in connection with the dominance of Hinduism and Buddhism.
In 1975-1989, when translating the name into foreign languages, a variant closer to the original Khmer name was used - Cambodia or Kampuchea(Khmer. កម្ពុជា
, Camputea). The official names of the country after gaining independence were: Kingdom of Cambodia (1953-1970 and since 1993), Khmer Republic (1970-1975, Lon Nol regime), Democratic Kampuchea (1975-1979, Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime), People's Republic Kampuchea (1979-1989, Allied regime), State of Cambodia (1989-1993, UN authorities).
Story
ancient period
The state on the territory of Cambodia arose at the beginning of our era. It occupied a much larger territory than the current Cambodian state.
Khmer Empire of Kambujadesh in the 12th century.
Dai Viet conquest of Champa and southern Cambodia
colonial period
Protectorate of Cambodia within the Indochinese Union
From 1863, Cambodia came under a protectorate.
From 1942 to 1945 it was occupied by the Japanese Empire.
period of independence
In 1953, Cambodia received .
From the late 1960s to 1975, a civil war was going on in the country, in which North Vietnam, South Vietnam and. The NLF and North Vietnamese forces established a network of base camps and depots in the eastern regions of the country, where they retreated after each serious defeat in South Vietnam. In 1966, Prince Sihanouk made an agreement with China, which had supported North Vietnam in the war, to have North Vietnamese troops in Cambodia and use the seaport to deliver war materials to them, in violation of the country's neutrality. The path along which the supply of communist forces through Cambodia was carried out was called the “Sihanouk trail”. In 1970, a coup took place, as a result of which General Lon Nol came to power and proclaimed the creation of the Khmer Republic. In the same year, in order to support the Lon Nol government, which launched hostilities against the Cambodian communists - the Khmer Rouge, the armed forces of South Vietnam invaded Cambodia.
In 1975, having won the civil war, the Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, came to power. A course was imposed on the country to build "agrarian socialism", which in fact turned into a genocide of its own people (peasants, townspeople, intelligentsia, Buddhists, national minorities, simply "superfluous"). According to various estimates, from 1 to 3 million inhabitants of the country, which at that time was called "Democratic Kampuchea", were destroyed.
Back in 1973, in the areas controlled by the Khmer Rouge, uprisings of the population and the military who supported them began, and in the provinces of Ratanakiri, uprisings of national minorities began. In September 1975, there was an uprising in the province of Siem Reap, in January 1976 - a rebellion led by the Minister of Information Hu Nim, in 1977 - in the division, which was entrusted with the protection of Phnom Penh (Deputy Chief of the General Staff Cha Krai was shot, three other leaders uprisings burned alive in the capital's stadium). Around the same time, 2 counties in Kampong Thom province rebelled, which were suppressed, including with the help of aerial bombardments, and a conspiracy in Ponom Penh was uncovered. In 1978 there were uprisings in the provinces (April 1978), Prei Veng and Kampong Cham (all three in May 1978).
In 1978, the country's economy was completely depleted, and Pol Pot unleashed aggression against Vietnam. However, large groups of Khmer Rouge, dissatisfied with the repressions, almost immediately began to go over to the side of the Vietnamese.
In December 1978, the United Front for the National Salvation of Kampuchea (EFNSK) was created, uniting pro-Vietnamese and anti-Pol Pot forces. The leaders of the EFNSK were Pen Sovan, Chan Si and Khang Sarin, as well as Keo Chanda and Chea Sot. All of them lived in Vietnam for a long time and enjoyed absolute trust in the country's leadership. This group was joined by those who passed from the ranks of the Khmer Rouge in 1976-1977 (in particular, the former deputy commander of the regiment of the Cambodian army Hun Sen, who showed himself well during the hostilities of January 1978), as well as former participants in the uprising and leaders of partisan detachments in the Eastern Zone of Kampuchea, former commander of the Cambodian army division Heng Samrin and former secretary of the party committee of the 20th district of the Eastern Zone Chea Sim. Heng Samrin became the head of the EFNSK, and Chea Sim became his deputy. Pen Sovan headed the party-building commission of the revived People's Revolutionary Party of Cambodia, later transformed into the Central Committee of the CHPK.
In 1979, the troops overthrew the Khmer Rouge regime. The country was renamed the People's Republic of Kampuchea. The UN and a number of countries did not recognize the new government of Cambodia, declaring it a puppet of Vietnam. The final withdrawal of Vietnamese troops from Cambodia took place in 1989, but the civil war in the country continued for some time after that. The Khmer Rouge provided tacit support, who saw them as a counterbalance to the influence of Vietnam. The Khmer Rouge controlled the border areas and periodically made sorties inland. Pol Pot's Party of Democratic Kampuchea, the pro-Western National Front for the Liberation of the Khmer People of ex-premier Son Sanna, and Prince Sihanouk's FUNCINPEC party formed the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea. This anti-Vietnamese coalition waged an armed struggle against the Heng Samrin regime. It was she who had international recognition and represented Kampuchea at the UN.
In connection with the ongoing political crisis, the new leader (Prime Minister) of Cambodia, Hun Sen, who gradually ousted the pro-Vietnamese Heng Samrin, agreed to UN mediation. In 1989, constitutional changes transformed the NRC into the State of Cambodia. It was decided to restore the monarchy, return King Sihanouk and hold free elections. On September 24, 1993, the Kingdom of Cambodia was restored. The UN, through its interim body, recognized the new state.
After a four-year period of formal power-sharing, in July 1997, Hun Sen staged a virtual coup d'état and established autocratic rule.
On October 7, 2004, King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated the throne, on October 14, 2004, the Royal Council of Cambodia, on the recommendation of his older brother, Prince Ranariddha, proclaimed a new king - Norodom Sihamoni. However, in fact, the power in the country belongs to Prime Minister Hun Sen. On November 24, 2000, the anti-communist rebel organization Cambodian Freedom Fighters, led by Yasit Chhun, undertook failed attempt armed overthrow of Hun Sen.
In 2007, almost all Khmer Rouge leaders who remained at large were arrested, and are currently under investigation to bring them to the tribunal.
On July 28, 2013, regular parliamentary elections were held in Cambodia. The victory of the ruling People's Party was announced, but the opposition National Salvation Party of Cambodia achieved a major success, receiving almost 45% of the vote. The opposition did not recognize the results of the vote, declaring them falsified. From July 2013 to July 2014, Phnom Penh was engulfed in mass anti-government demonstrations.
Has diplomatic relations with (established with the USSR in 1956).
Geography
Country map
Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia, in the southern part of the Indochina peninsula. It borders on (to the east), (to the northeast) and (to the north and northwest); in the south and southwest it is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The length of the borders is: with Vietnam - 1228 km, with Thailand - 803 km, with Laos - 541 km; coastline length - 443 km. The area of the state is 181,040 km². The largest island of the country is Kong (100 km²).
Relief
Physical map of Cambodia
The territory of the country is located in several distinct geographical regions. Most of Cambodia (about 75%) is represented by the Tonle Sap Lake basin and the lowlands of the Mekong River. These flat areas are framed by mountain ranges: the Kravan mountains (in the southwest), the Elephan (south) and Dangrek (north) ranges. The uplands in the northeast of the country merge with the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The Tonle Sap and Mekong basins connect with the plains of central Thailand (to the west) and the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (to the southeast). In addition, the Mekong Valley separates the Elephan range from the highlands of the northeast.
The Kravan Mountains are located in the direction from northwest to southeast, reaching heights of more than 1500 m. The highest point of Cambodia, Mount Oral, is located in the eastern part of the range and is 1813 m above sea level. The Elephan Range extends the Krawan Mountains further southeast, with altitudes ranging from 500 to 1000 m. To the southwest of these two mountain ranges is the narrow coastal plain of Kampongsaombai, adjacent to the Gulf of Thailand. The low Dangrek range serves as the northern boundary of the Tonle Sap basin and runs along the border with Thailand. Average heights are only about 500 m, and the highest point exceeds 750 m above sea level. To the north of the range is the Korat Plateau, which occupies the northeast of Thailand.
Inland waters
Tonle Sap River
With the exception of small rivers in the southwest of the country, most of the rivers of Cambodia belong to the basin of the Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong River. The Kravan and Dangrek mountains serve as watersheds. Cambodia owns a significant section of the Mekong; from the Lao border to the town of Kratie, the river flows south, then turns southwest, and from Phnom Penh it flows southeast until it flows into the South China Sea. The watercourse to Tonle Sap Lake is seasonal. During the rainy season, the waters of the Tonle Sap River, flowing from the lake to the Mekong, are reversed, as a result of which the area of \u200b\u200bthe lake increases several times. The annual floods of Tonle Sap lead to swamping of vast areas around the lake.
Climate
The climate of Cambodia, like the climate of other countries in Southeast Asia, is highly dependent on the monsoons. Temperatures throughout the central plains of the country are quite similar and are characterized by only relatively small variations from the average annual temperature of 25 °C. Maximum temperatures are above 32°C, although just before the start of the rainy season they often exceed 38°C. Minimum temperatures rarely fall below 10°C. The coldest month is January and the warmest month is April. Tropical cyclones, which often hit the coast of Vietnam, rarely penetrate the territory of Cambodia.
The average annual rainfall in the central regions of the country ranges from 1000 to 1500 mm. Most of them fall during the summer monsoon. The mountainous regions of the south of the country and the coast of the Gulf of Thailand receive much more precipitation, up to 5000 mm per year. The extreme south-east of the country also receives a lot of precipitation. The northern regions of Cambodia are the most arid.
Wildlife and ecology
Illegal logging in the Kravan mountains
Cambodia's wildlife is diverse. There are 212 species of mammals, 536 species of birds, 240 species of reptiles and 850 species of freshwater fish on the territory of the country. The region of Tonle Sap Lake, where the unique Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve is located, is characterized by the greatest biodiversity. Other key species habitats include dry forests in the northeast and east of the country, as well as the region of the Kravanj Mountains. In the southwest of Cambodia, on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, there is the Botum Sakor National Park, covering an area of 1834 km².
The rate of deforestation in Cambodia is one of the highest in the world. Thus, the share of virgin forests, which in 1969 covered more than 70% of the country's territory, decreased to only 3.1% by 2007. In 2012, forests of varying degrees of density covered 57.4% of the territory of Cambodia - 10.2 million hectares. Since 2010, deforestation has slowed down somewhat and amounts to 1.3% per year.
Population
Phnom Penh
Cambodian Vietnamese, Siem Reap Province
As of 2010, the population of the country is 14,805,358 people, about 90% of them are Khmers. The rest is represented mainly by Vietnamese, Chinese, Chams and mountain Khmers. Population growth in 2010 is approximately 1.71%. Gender composition: 960 men per 1000 women. Average life expectancy is 62.7 years (60.3 years for men and 65.1 years for women). The urban population according to 2010 data is 24%. Literacy rate for 2004: 73.6% (84.7% of men and 64.1% of women).
Largest cities in Cambodia:
- : 2 234 566 people
- : 250,000 people
- : 171 800 people
- : 132,000 people
- : 89 549 people
Languages
About 96% of the country's population speaks Khmer, which belongs to the Austroasiatic language family and is the only official language Cambodia. French is widely spoken as a second language as a legacy of colonial times, but its prevalence has declined sharply in recent times. French is used as the language of education in many schools and universities and, to a very limited extent, by the government. In addition, this language is remembered by many older Cambodians. In recent decades, the most attractive and studied foreign languages became English and Chinese.
The languages of the country's national minorities are also widespread: Cham and Chinese dialects, Vietnamese, Lao, Thai, etc. Mountain peoples speak their own languages: Zarai (Jarai), Ede (Rade), Stiengi, Saot, Por, Samre and Kui.
Religion
Buddha statue at Bayon Temple
Buddhism is practiced by 95% of the population, Islam - 1.6%, Christianity - 0.2%, other religions - 3.2%. Theravada Buddhism is the state religion of Cambodia, with about 4,390 temples throughout the country. The traditions and daily life of the vast majority of the population are closely connected with Buddhism. Most of the monasteries in the country belonged to the monastic order of the Mahanikai, although the smaller but more influential elite reformist order of the Thammayutnikai enjoyed special royal patronage. In 1975, with the coming to power of the Khmer Rouge regime, a ban was imposed on all religious worship, which remained until 1979. However, since then, Buddhism has experienced a revival, once again taking a strong position.
The Chams are adherents of Islam, in addition, a small Malay community is Muslim. Today, over 300,000 Muslims live in Cambodia, most of them in the province of Kampong Cham. The Vietnamese minority traditionally also includes Catholics and Cao Dais (who adhere to the syncretic religion of Cao Dai). More than 1% of Cambodians profess Christianity, mainly Catholicism. Among the Cambodian Chinese, Mahayana Buddhism is common, mixed with traditional Chinese teachings - Taoism and Confucianism.
Education
Queen's University, Phnom Penh
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports is responsible for developing the national education policy and directives. The Cambodian education system is largely decentralized, including 3 levels of government: central, regional (provincial) and district. The country's constitution proclaims free compulsory education for 9 years, guaranteeing the universal right to basic education. Traditionally, education in Cambodia was provided by Buddhist monasteries, which provided an opportunity for education exclusively to boys. During the Khmer Rouge regime, education in Cambodia faced serious difficulties, which led to a regression in this area. The modern education system continues to face many problems, but in last years noticeable improvements.
For 2004, the literacy rate in Cambodia is 73.6% (84.7% for men and 64.1% for women). For persons aged 15 to 24, this figure is 89% and 86% for boys and girls, respectively.
healthcare
In recent years, there have been significant improvements in health care, although there are still many problems. As of 2010, the average life expectancy in the country was 60 years for men and 65 years for women, which is significantly higher than in 1999 - 49.8 and 46.8 years for men and women, respectively. The Royal Government of Cambodia plans to improve public health by raising public awareness about HIV, malaria and other diseases.
The infant mortality rate dropped from 115 per 1,000 in 1993 to 54 per 1,000 in 2009. During the same period, the under-5 mortality rate fell from 181 to 115 per 1,000 people. The worst health indicators are in the province of Ratanakiri, where 22.9% of children die before the age of 5; also, it has the highest levels of maternal mortality and malnutrition in the country. All these data are explained by the remoteness of the province, underdevelopment of infrastructure, poverty, lack of access to clean water for a significant part of the population, and other factors.
Internet
In connection with the development of the country, the problem of access to the Internet becomes an important issue. Wi-Fi Internet access is available in many cafes, bars, restaurants and gas stations. However, despite the spread, wired ADSL and fiber optic internet in Cambodia is significantly more expensive than in most developed countries. So, a 2 Mbps connection can cost over $100 per month. In this regard, wireless Internet has become widespread in 3G and WiMAX networks, which are usually much cheaper here and do not differ much in speed. Operators predict a gradual increase in speed and a decrease in the cost of the Internet.
Administrative division
The territory of the country is divided into 23 provinces ( khet) and 1 city of central subordination ( crong). The provinces are divided into districts ( term), which, in turn, consist of communes ( khum). Cities of central subordination are divided into districts ( khan) consisting of quarters ( sangkat).
Administrative divisions of Cambodia
List of administrative divisions of Cambodia
GCP- city of central subordination.
Political structure
Legal system: a combination of codes adopted under the UN Transitional Administration in Cambodia, influenced by the French legal system, royal decrees, legislation influenced by customary law and vestiges of communist legal theory; in recent years, the role of common law has increased.
Suffrage: from 18 years old; universal.
King: Norodom Sihamoni.
Government: a council of ministers appointed by the monarch; elections: not held; the monarch is elected by the Council of the Royal Throne; the prime minister is appointed by the monarch after a vote of confidence obtained in the National Assembly.
Legislature: bicameral parliament, consisting of the National Assembly (122 seats; members of the House are elected by popular vote for a term of 5 years) and the Senate (61 seats; two members of the Senate are appointed by the monarch, two are elected by the National Assembly and 57 are elected by "official electors"; the term of office of the House is 5 years ).
Judicial branch: The Supreme Judicial Council, provided for in the Constitution, was formed in December 1997; Supreme Court and lower courts.
Political parties and leaders: Cambodia People's Party (CPP; Hun Sen), Cambodia National Salvation Party (CNRP, Sam Reingsi, Kem Sokha) Buddhist Liberal Party (BLP; Ieng Mauli); Khmer Civic Party (KCP); FUNCINPEC (Prince Norodom Ranarit); Sam Rainsi Party (SRP) (former Khmer Nation Party (KNP)).
Foreign policy
Member of the UN and a number of its specialized organizations, the IMF, IBRD, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, IAEA and others. In foreign policy it is based on the principles of neutrality. Cambodia joined the Primorsky Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (SEA), joined ASEAN (since April 1999). At the forefront of foreign policy are relations with neighboring ASEAN countries (,), as well as relations with and Japan also heads the international committee for the reconstruction of Cambodia and, accordingly, is the country's largest investor. Of the economically developed countries, Australia is also the main partner. In 1992, the US lifted its embargo on trade with Cambodia. In 1996, a bilateral Agreement on Trade Relations was signed. Cambodia has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR in 1956).
Relations with Vietnam
For a long time, relations between the two countries were tense due to numerous territorial disputes. Since then, both states have taken many steps to improve relations. In 2005, an agreement was signed in addition to the 1985 agreement on the Cambodian-Vietnamese state border (Complementary Treaty to the Treaty on the Delimitation of State Border of 1985). According to the agreement, Cambodia planned to complete the demarcation of the land border by the end of 2008. In a joint statement following the visit, it is stated that this agreement "creates a legal basis for the formation of a peaceful and friendly border" between the two states. In June 2012, Vietnam and Cambodia celebrated the demarcation of the last stretch of the border. The Prime Ministers of Vietnam (Nguyen Tan Dung) and Cambodia (Hun Sen) personally attended the event. In addition, since the 1990s, economic relations between the countries have been actively developing, since both states are members of ASEAN and the Mekong Ganga Organization.
Relations with Laos
Relations with Malaysia
Relations with Thailand
For many years, the main problem in bilateral relations between Cambodia was the territorial dispute over the ownership of the Preah Vihear temple. In 2008, the temple became a Monument world heritage UNESCO, which caused a number of territorial conflicts between states (the Cambodian-Thai border conflict of 2008, 2009 and 2011). Currently, the temple can be approached from both Thailand and Cambodia.
Relations with China
Despite close relations with both economically and politically, recently Cambodia's foreign policy has been moving away from China and focusing on improving relations with the ASEAN countries, as well as with Western partners - the United States, Australia and others. This is in particular due to the fact that China at one time actively supported the Khmer Rouge regime. Nevertheless, China continues to actively invest in the Cambodian economy and allocate funds for material assistance to Cambodia.
Relations with North Korea
Cambodia supports enough a good relationship With . B has the Cambodian embassy and B has the DPRK embassy. Relations between the two states were very good due to the friendship between the former leader of the DPRK Kim Il Sung and the former King of Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk. The Cambodian government expressed condolences to the DPRK after the death of Kim Jong Il. Also in the capital of Cambodia there is a North Korean restaurant.
Economy
The economy of Cambodia is based on the production of clothing and tourism. Cambodia has received a guaranteed quota in clothing exports to . More than 350,000 workers are employed in the clothing industry, and clothing accounts for 85% of the country's export value.
In addition to clothing, Cambodia exports forest products, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, shoes ($4.3 billion in 2008).
The main export partners (in 2008) are the USA 54%, Germany 8%, Canada 6%.
Cambodia imports oil products, cigarettes, gold, building materials, machine tools, cars, medicines ($6.4 billion in 2008).
The main import partners (in 2008) are Thailand 28%, China 16%, Vietnam 15%.
Foreign investment
Foreigners do not have the right to own land. To own land, it is allowed to register a company, at least 51 percent of the capital of which belongs to the Khmer. These measures significantly limit the inflow of investments into small-scale agriculture. In May 2009, the Russian operator BeeLine began providing mobile services in Cambodia.
Tourism
Cambodia after the end of the civil war began to attract a large number of foreign tourists. The main attraction of the country is the Angkor Wat temple complex, dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, not far from the city, in the center of the country. The complex is considered the largest religious building in the world. There are also places for a "beach" holiday in the south, in the city area. More than 4 million tourists visit the country every year.
Cambodia is attractive for tourists with the calm and friendly nature of the main population - the Khmers, very low prices, climate, exotic cuisine. Some also consider Cambodia one of the centers of sex tourism. The tourist infrastructure is not as developed as in the neighboring one, but it is still recognized as quite satisfactory, especially in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, the largest seaside resort in the country. Cambodia also has 23 national parks. Travelers are discouraged from deviating from well-worn tourist routes and populated areas due to the large number of mines left over from the civil war. Other dangers (crime, infectious diseases, snakes) are rated as minor in guidebooks.
Transport
National Highway No. 4
International airport in Siem Reap
During the civil war, Cambodia's transport infrastructure was badly damaged, but currently, with the help of foreign investment and equipment, Cambodia is reconstructing the main highways. Since 2006, the state of roads has improved significantly, and most of the main roads are now paved.
Cambodia has two single-track railway lines with a gauge of 1 meter and a total length of 612 km. One of the lines connects with (built in the 1960s), the other with Battambang and (built in the 1930s). The section between Sisophphon and (at the Thai border) was dismantled during the civil war. Until 2009, trains still ran once a week between and Battambang, but the service has now been discontinued. The government entered into an agreement with private companies for the reconstruction of the railway network, which planned to open a railway connection between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville by 2011, and between Phnom Penh, Battambang and Sisophon by 2013. In addition, it is planned to complete the construction of the railway from Sisophon to the Thai border. In the future, it is planned to build a new railway connecting Phnom Penh with Vietnam.
Waterways of communication have long played a huge role in Cambodia. The Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, their numerous tributaries and Tonle Sap Lake form a water transport system with a total length of 3,700 km all year round for ships with a draft of 0.6 m and another 282 km for ships with a draft of 1.8 m. The country's main seaport is Sihanoukville. Phnom Penh, which is located at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassak and Tonle Sap rivers, is the only river port capable of receiving ships with a displacement of 8,000 tons in the rainy season and 5,000 tons in the dry season.
The country has four commercial airports, three of them are currently operating - Phnom Penh International Airport (formerly Pochentong), Siem Reap International Airport, which is the largest airport in Cambodia, and Sihanoukville (since December 14, 2011). Another airport is located in Battambang, but there are no scheduled flights. There are two operating airlines in Cambodia - Cambodia Angkor Air and Tonlesap Airlines.
culture
Cambodian singer Sin Sisamut
Classic Khmer dance
Stone carving at Banteay Srei temple complex
Illustration for one of the Khmer tales, early 19th century drawing
Responsible for the development of culture in the country Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. The culture of Cambodia has a strong Indian influence in terms of language, art and other elements. An important factor shaping the culture was also Theravada Buddhism, which came to these lands in the first centuries of our era and spread widely here. In addition to the Khmer culture itself, the country's culture also includes the culture of more than 20 different ethnic groups, living mainly in the mountainous and hilly regions in the northeast of the country.
Music
Khmer traditional music, like dances, dates back to the ancient Khmer Empire and bears a noticeable influence of Indian music. Ancient paintings preserve images of dances performed in honor of monarchs, such as the Apsara dance and musicians accompanying the dancers. Of the folk forms of music, "chapey" and "a yai" are known. The first of these is popular among the older generation and is most often performed by one person on the Cambodian guitar (chapey), who recites texts between music-making. Lyrics tend to deal with moral or religious themes. Traditional musical instruments of Cambodians - drums different types, gong, metallophones and other percussion instruments, as well as woodwind instruments - like flutes and pipes.
Music in the genre "a yai" is performed by a solo or duet of a man and a woman and is often comic in nature, with extensive use of impromptu. The pleng kaah (literally "wedding music") genre is a collection of traditional music and songs to accompany the various rites of a traditional Khmer wedding that lasts for many days.
In clubs in Cambodia, popular music is performed using Western musical instruments or a combination of traditional Cambodian and Western instruments. The classic representatives of Cambodian pop music were pop singers Sin Sisamut and Ros Sereysoteya, who performed in the 1960s and 1970s. During the Khmer Rouge's rule, many classical and popular singers from the 60s and 70s were killed or sent to camps, and many recordings of music from that period were lost or destroyed.
In the 1980s, Keo Surat (a Cambodian refugee who settled in the US) and other Cambodian expatriates performed popular songs styled after traditional Cambodian music. The 1980s and 1990s also saw the growing popularity of kantrum music, a style characteristic of northern Khmer, in a modern arrangement.
Australian hip hop group Astronomy class recorded several songs performed by Cambodian-born singer Kak Chanti.
As part of a rock group Dengue Fever(Los Angeles) features a Cambodian female vocalist, the group's genre is classified as "ethnic music" and combines traditional Cambodian music with Western rock music.
Dancing
Cambodian dances are usually divided into 3 groups: classical dances, folk dances and ballroom dances. Classical dances were originally performed only for representatives of the royal court as entertainment, they also have ceremonial significance. Despite some influences from neighboring cultures, classical Khmer dance is a rather unique art form. The performers of such productions are skillfully dressed, the movements, gestures and postures of the dancer are of particular importance in the performance. The performance itself is slow and measured. Music accompanying such performances includes xylophones, metallophones, woodwinds, various drums and gongs.
Folk dances usually differ from classical ones in a faster rhythm, less significant gestures and movements, and less decorative clothes of the performers. Folk dances and features of their performance vary from region to region and are different for different ethnic groups of the country. Folk dances are closely related to fairy tales and other works of local folklore.
art
The history of the fine arts of Cambodia goes back centuries to ancient crafts. Khmer art reached its peak during the Angkor period. Traditional arts and crafts include weaving, silver and gold ware making, stone carving, lacquer making, pottery, mural painting, craftwork kites and others. A serious blow to art was the period of the Khmer Rouge in power, associated with the persecution of artists and other representatives of art and their fairly frequent physical elimination. Recently, there have been some improvements in this area related to the support of the government and non-governmental organizations, as well as attracting tourists to the country.
Literature
Numerous inscriptions on stones, walls and columns testify to the antiquity of the Khmer language. After the inscriptions on the stones, the texts and commentaries of the Buddhist texts of the Tipitaka, written on palm leaves, became widespread; a large number of them are still kept in monasteries throughout the country. The Khmer epic poem Reamker is based on the Indian epic Ramayana and has a traditional dance performance. Various forms of oral art have become widespread in Cambodia. Later, court literature developed, so King Ang Duong (1841-1860) is known not only as a ruler, but also as a classic of literature thanks to his writing of the novel Kakey which has important cultural significance even today. The classic tragic love story is Tum Teav, which has become widespread at least since the middle of the 19th century and has oral, literary and dance forms. Tum Teav became widely known in the West after the translation of the literary version of this story, written by a monk named Preah Botumthera Som, into English by the American George Chigas in 1915. Monk catfish is recognized as one of the best Khmer classics.
Kitchen
Rice and fried ash
As in other countries of Southeast Asia, the main food of the Cambodians is rice. Due to the dense river network and the presence of such large reservoirs as the Mekong and Tonle Sap Lake, important place Cambodian cuisine is traditionally occupied by fish. Pickled fish pasta is also traditional. dust, which in its essence is a method of long-term storage of the product. Prahok serves as the most common seasoning for food; often just eaten with rice. In addition, traditional ingredients include various tropical fruits, fish, oyster and soy sauces, curry, tamarind, ginger, coconut milk, black pepper, etc. A popular Cambodian lunch dish is rice noodle soup in pork broth with onions and garlic. Compared to neighboring Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, Cambodian cuisine is rather unknown and not widely used in the world.
mass media
State TV and Radio Company - National Television of Kampuchea, includes one TV channel and 12 radio stations.
Landmines in Cambodia
Cambodia is one of the most "mined" countries in the world. Three decades of war and civil conflict have left several million mines scattered across the country. The opposing sides, the Khmer Rouge, on the one hand, and the troops and allied Kampuchean troops, on the other hand, widely used both old stocks of mines and new ones, such as, for example, from the GDR, Czechoslovakia,. The most famous models are the Soviet PMN, PMN-2, Bulgarian PSM-1, Chinese T-72 and T-58, American samples and their copies (MN-79, MD-82B).
Since 1979, more than 57,000 Cambodians have lost limbs.
According to the Land Mine Museum in 2010, there are still between 3 and 6 million active mines near Siem Reap in Cambodia.
Cambodia (English) . world factbook. Retrieved May 5, 2016.Literature
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