General Information

Location:

South-East Asia. Time GMT + 7.

Area:

181,035 sq km (69,900 sq miles).

Population:

14.8 million (UN estimate, 2005).

Capital:

Phnom Penh. Population: 1.17 million (2005).

Geography

Cambodia shares borders in the north with Laos and Thailand, in the east with Vietnam and in the southwest with the Gulf of Thailand. The landscape comprises tropical rainforest and fertile cultivated land traversed by many rivers. In the northeast area rise highlands. The capital is located at the junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. The latter flows from a large inland lake, also called Tonle Sap, situated in the centre of the country. There are numerous offshore islands along the southwest coast.

Government

Legislative power belongs to the 120-member National Assembly, which is popularly elected for a term of five years. Executive power is vested in the Cabinet of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The King holds the post of Head of State.

Constitutional monarchy since 1993. Head of State: King Norodom Sihamoni since 2004. Head of Government: Prime Minister Hun Sen since 1998. Recent history: The authoritarian, extreme-left KPK (Kanakpak Pracheachon Kampuchea -Cambodian People's Party) remained in Government following the 2003 elections, suggesting that Cambodia was, to some extent, still dominated by an authoritarian regime hiding behind the veneer of democratic practice. Further symptoms of turbulence include the recent abdication of King Norodom Sihanouk in late 2004, who abdicated due to old age and frail health, but also, he claimed, because of the worry of more violence in a land still traumatised by Pol Pot's brutal rule in the 1970s, without a clear succession. This event diagnosed the nation's widespread and continuing fears and frictions. Last-minute legislation had to be administered since the constitution did not permit abdication and, eventually, the nine-member throne council appointed his son, Norodom Sihamoni, as the new King. King Norodom Sihamoni has vowed to remain politically neutral and open to ideas from all Cambodians. Only time will tell if the succession marks a new, more optimistic, era for Cambodia.

Legislative power belongs to the 120-member National Assembly, which is popularly elected for a term of five years. Executive power is vested in the Cabinet of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The King holds the post of Head of State.

Language

Khmer is the official language and spoken by 95 per cent of the population. Chinese and Vietnamese are also spoken. French was widely spoken until the arrival of the Pol Pot regime and is still taught in schools, but English is now a more popular language to learn among the younger generation.

Religion

90 per cent Buddhist (Theravada), the remainder Muslim and Christian. Buddhism was reinstated as the national religion in 1989 after a ban on religious activity in 1975.

Social Conventions

Sensitivity to politically-related subjects in conversation is advisable. Avoid pointing your foot at a person or touching someone on the head. Women should wear long clothing that covers the body. Photography: Permitted, with certain restrictions, such as the photographing of military installations, airports and railway stations. It is polite to ask permission before photographing Cambodian people, especially monks.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz and two-pin plugs are in use. Power cuts are less frequent. Certain outages do occur, however these are generally short time outages lasting less than 30 minutes. Usage of generators as back up in some areas is now not required.

Currency

Riel (KHR). Notes are in denominations of KHR100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200 and 100. Exchange Rates

Currency Exchange

US Dollars and Thai Baht are widely accepted and exchanged, but other currencies are generally not recognised.

Credit / Debit Cards and ATM's

Credit cards are not generally accepted, but can be used in upmarket hotels and restaurants catering to visitors. The number of ATMs in Cambodia is growing rapidly. It is now not necessary to carry large amounts of cash.

Travellers Cheque Advice

Limited acceptance. Traveller's cheques are generally not recommended. Traveller's cheques in US dollars can be changed at the official rate at the Foreign Trade Bank in Phnom Penh, and other larger banks and hotels.

Currency Restrictions

Import and export of local currency is prohibited. Foreign currency may be exported up to the limit declared at customs on arrival. Amounts over US$10,000 have to be declared.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1500. Some banks are open on Saturdays.

Weather

Tropical monsoon climate. Monsoon season is from May to November. The most pleasant season is the dry season, from November/December to April. In the north, winters can be colder, while throughout most of the country temperatures remain fairly constant. There is often seasonal flooding in Phnom Penh and the rest of Cambodia in late-July and early-August; travel may be disrupted.

Lightweight clothing and cottons are worn all year. Rainwear is essential during the rainy season.