Kampot Province, Cambodia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kampot កំពត
Province
Kampot Province ខេត្តកំពត
Seal
Map of Cambodia highlighting Kampot
Country	Cambodia
Provincial status	20 August 1923
Capital	Kampot
Area
• Total	4,873 km2 (1,881 sq mi)
Area rank	Ranked 17th
Population  (2019)
• Total	699,085
• Rank	12th
• Density	143/km2 (370/sq mi)
• Density rank	12th
Time zone	UTC+7 (ICT)
Dialing code	+855
ISO 3166 code	KH-7
Districts	8
Communes	93
Villages	488

Kampot (pronounced Kahm-pote) is a beautiful province in the southwest part of Cambodia. It shares borders with several other provinces like Koh Kong and Kampong Speu to the north. To the south, it meets Kep province, Vietnam, and has about 45 kilometers of coastline along the Gulf of Thailand.

Kampot is known for its fertile lowlands and many natural resources. The capital city of the province is also called Kampot. In 2019, the province had a population of 699,085 people. It is divided into eight districts, which are further split into 93 communes and 488 villages.

History of Kampot Province

Early History and French Influence

In the 1800s, during the time of French Indochina, Kampot became an important administrative center. It was a border area for the Kingdom of Cambodia. French records from 1889 show that Kampot town was a mix of different cultures.

There was a "Cambodian Kampot" area along the Prek-Kampot River. A "Chinese Kampot" area was on the west side of the Prek-Thom River. Nearby, there were also Vietnamese and Malay villages, showing a rich mix of people living together.

A Difficult Time: The Khmer Rouge Era

Kampot province went through a very difficult period during the Cambodian genocide. This was under the rule of the Khmer Rouge. Many people in the province suffered greatly and lost their lives.

It is estimated that over 90,000 people in Kampot province died during this time. For example, in the Angkor Chey District, about 30,000 people were killed. This was a very sad and tragic part of Kampot's history.

What Drives Kampot's Economy?

Kampot province has a strong economy based on its natural resources and tourism. Many people work in farming, forestry, and mining. Tourism also brings many visitors to the area.

Farming and Special Crops

• Kampot Pepper: This is a very famous product from Kampot. It is protected by special laws, meaning only pepper from this area can be called "Kampot pepper." It is grown on about 13 hectares of land in Kompong Trach District.
• Durian: Another special fruit grown here is durian. There are about 537 hectares of durian farms in Tek Chhou district. These farms produce over 10,000 tons of durian each year.
• Rubber: Kampot also has rubber plantations, covering about 20 hectares.
• Kampot Sea Salt: Salt is made from the seawater along the coast. Farmers use special ponds to let the water evaporate, leaving the salt behind.

Forests and Mining

Kampot has large forest areas, covering over 227,000 hectares. There are also 48 areas where minerals are produced and mined. These resources are important for the province's economy.

Tourism and Natural Beauty

Tourism is a growing industry in Kampot.

• Historical and Cultural Sites: There are four main historical or cultural places to visit.
• Wildlife and Nature: The province is home to Preah Monivong National Park, a huge protected area of 140,000 hectares. This park is great for seeing wildlife and enjoying nature.

Districts of Kampot Province

Kampot province is divided into 7 districts and 1 municipality (which is like a city district). Each district has its own unique features and communities.

Gallery

• 

  Map of Kampot province

• 

  View of the coast near Kampot from Bokor mountain (Phnom Bokor).

• 

  The Dâmrei Mountains receives heavy monsoon rainfalls, but keeps the eastern parts of the province in relative rain shadow.

• 

  The highland plateaus in Phnom Bokor National Park

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  Farmlands

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  Kampot pepper farm

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  Fishing boats on Kampot River

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  Phnom Chhnork, cave temple near Kampot city

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  Caves in Kampong Trach

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  Islands and sandy beaches

See also

In Spanish: Provincia de Kampot para niños