Phnom Penh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Phnom Penh ភ្នំពេញ
Capital city and autonomous municipality
Phnom Penh Capital រាជធានីភ្នំពេញ
Phnom Penh skyline Independence Monument Royal Palace of Cambodia National Museum of Cambodia Wat Phnom
Seal
Nickname(s):  Pearl of Asia (pre-1960s) The Charming City
Phnom Penh Location in Cambodia Show map of Cambodia Phnom Penh Location in Asia Show map of Asia
Country	Cambodia
Settled	5th century
Founded	1372
Capital status	1434–1497
Capital re-established	1865
Named for	Wat Phnom and Lady Penh
Subdivisions	14 khans
Government
• Type	Municipal council
Area
• Capital city and autonomous municipality	679 km2 (262 sq mi)
• Metro	3,858 km2 (1,490 sq mi)
Area rank	24th
Elevation	11.89 m (39.01 ft)
Population  (2024 census)
• Capital city and autonomous municipality	2,352,851
• Rank	1st
• Density	3,361/km2 (8,700/sq mi)
• Density rank	1st
• Metro	3,483,532
Demonym(s)	Phnom Penher (French: Phnom Penhois(e))
Time zone	UTC+07:00 (ICT)
Area code(s)	+855 (023)
HDI (2022)	0.696 medium · 1st

Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. It has been the country's capital since 1865. Today, it is Cambodia's most important city for politics, economy, industry, and culture. The city's name comes from Wat Phnom, a Buddhist temple, and Lady Penh, who is said to have founded the city.

Phnom Penh is located where the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers meet. It is also the starting point of the Bassac River. The city is home to Cambodia's monarchy, based at the Royal Palace.

The city was founded in 1372. It became the capital in 1434 after Angkor Thom fell. It remained the capital until 1497. Phnom Penh became the capital again during the time when France ruled Cambodia. It grew a lot and became very modern before the 1970s. People called it the "Pearl of Asia" because of its beautiful buildings.

In the 1960s and 1970s, many people moved to Phnom Penh. They were seeking safety from the civil war and American bombings. In 1975, the Khmer Rouge forced everyone to leave the city. Many people suffered greatly during this time. Phnom Penh was mostly empty until forces supported by Vietnam took the city in 1979.

After this, the city was rebuilt. Its buildings and services improved with help from other countries. By 2019, over 2 million people lived there. This was about 14% of Cambodia's total population.

The area around Phnom Penh includes Ta Khmau city and parts of Kandal province. The city used to be a center for making textiles and medicines. It also processed rice. Many important schools, colleges, and universities are in Phnom Penh. Its cultural places and events make it a popular spot for visitors.

Phnom Penh has hosted many big events. These include the ASEAN Summit several times. It also hosted the Southeast Asian Games and the ASEAN Para Games in 2023. Phnom Penh will host the Asian Youth Games in 2029. This will be the first time for a Cambodian city.

Understanding the Name of Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh means "Penh's hill." The name comes from Wat Phnom, which means "hill temple." Some say it also relates to the ancient Funan Kingdom. This kingdom existed from the 1st to the 7th century AD. It was an early kingdom in Southeast Asia.

A legend says that in 1372, a rich woman named Penh found a Koki tree floating in the Tonlé Sap River. Inside the tree were four bronze Buddha statues and a stone statue of Vishnu. Lady Penh asked villagers to build up a hill. She then used the Koki wood to build a temple on the hill. This temple was for the Buddha statues. She also built a shrine for the Vishnu statue. The temple became known as Wat Phnom Daun Penh. Today, it is called Wat Phnom. It is a small hill about 27 metres (89 ft) high.

Phnom Penh's old official name was Krong Chaktomuk Serei Mongkol. This means "city of Brahma's faces." A shorter name was Krong Chaktomuk, meaning "city of four faces." King Ponhea Yat gave it a very long official name. This name roughly means "the place of four rivers that gives happiness and success to the Khmer Kingdom." It also means "the highest leader's city" and "impregnable city of the God Indra of the great kingdom."

A Look at Phnom Penh's Past

People believe Phnom Penh was first settled around the 5th century AD. This is based on discoveries of old pottery sites. One site, Choeung Ek, was a large pottery center. It made special ceremonial pots from the 5th to 13th centuries. Archaeologists found a large community there. It had a circular earth wall, 740 metres (2,430 ft) wide and 4 metres (13 ft) high. This wall was built in the 11th century. Other old village structures and temples were also found.

The legend of Lady Penh tells how the city was founded. She lived at Chaktomuk, where Phnom Penh is now. This was in the late 14th century. The Khmer capital was then at Angkor, about 350 km (217 mi) north. Lady Penh found a floating koki tree with Buddha and Vishnu statues inside.

Phnom Penh from east drawn in 1887.

Stupa of King Ponhea Yat on the top of Wat Phnom

People saw this discovery as a special blessing. Some thought it meant the capital should move to Phnom Penh. Lady Penh built a small hill and a shrine for the statues. This place is now Wat Phnom. "Phnom" means "hill" in Khmer. So, Penh's hill gave the area its name.

Phnom Penh first became the capital after Ponhea Yat moved it from Angkor Thom. This happened after Angkor was attacked by Siam. There is a stupa behind Wat Phnom. It holds the remains of Ponhea Yat and his family. It also has Buddhist statues from the Angkor era. In the 17th century, Japanese and Portuguese communities lived near Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh was the capital for 73 years, from 1432 to 1505. Then, kings moved the capital many times. This was due to conflicts among royal families.

In 1866, under King Norodom I, Phnom Penh became the permanent capital. The current Royal Palace was built then. From 1870, French rulers developed the city. They built hotels, schools, banks, and other public buildings. In 1872, King Norodom hired a French builder. He built 300 brick houses for Chinese traders.

By the 1920s, Phnom Penh was called the "Pearl of Asia." It grew quickly over the next 40 years. Railways were built to Sihanoukville and the airport. Norodom Sihanouk modernized the city's services.

During the Vietnam War, many people came to Phnom Penh. They were seeking safety from fighting. By 1975, the city had 2–3 million people. Most were seeking safety. The Khmer Rouge cut off supplies to the city. It fell on April 17, 1975. The Khmer Rouge forced everyone to leave the city. This was a very difficult time. People were forced to work on farms. Many suffered and died.

Tuol Sleng High School became the S-21 prison camp. People were held and tortured there. The Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot, wanted to return to a farming economy. Many educated people were killed. Others died from hunger. The former school is now the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. It shows what happened there. Choeung Ek, about 15 kilometers (9 mi) away, was where prisoners were taken to be killed. It is now a memorial.

From top, left to right: Royal Throne Hall, Silver Pagoda, a street in Koh Pich, Sisowath Quay, Riverside Park, National Museum, Wat Phnom, Royal Stupas, Hotel Le Royal, Supreme Court Building

The Khmer Rouge were driven out of Phnom Penh in 1979. People then began to return. The city started to rebuild. New foreign investments and aid helped. Loans from banks helped fix water supply and roads. In 1998, Phnom Penh's population was 862,000. By 2008, it was 1.3 million. In 2019, it reached over 2.2 million.

Phnom Penh's Location and Environment

Phnom Penh is in the middle-south of Cambodia. The Kandal province surrounds it. The city is on the banks of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac Rivers. These rivers provide fresh water and other natural resources. Phnom Penh is in a typical flood plain area. Even though it is 11.89 metres (39 ft) above the river, flooding can happen during monsoon season. Boeung Kak, a large lake, was filled in 2010 for building projects.

The city covers an area of 678.46 square kilometres (262 sq mi). This includes about 11,401 hectares (28,172 acres) in the city itself. There are also 26,106 ha (64,509 acres) of roads. Farmland in the city covers 34.685 km² (13 sq mi). Some of this land, 1.476 km² (365 acres), is used for irrigation.

Phnom Penh's Climate

Phnom Penh has a tropical wet and dry climate. The weather is hot all year. Temperatures usually range from 22 to 35 °C (72 to 95 °F). The weather is affected by tropical monsoons. The southwest monsoon brings wet winds from May to November. This means high temperatures and high humidity. The dry season is from December to April. During this time, night temperatures can drop to 22 °C (72 °F).

How Phnom Penh is Governed

Phnom Penh Capital Hall

Sections (khans) of Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh is a special city that acts like a province. It covers 678.46 square kilometres (261.95 sq mi). The city is divided into 14 areas called khans (sections). These khans are then split into 105 sangkats (quarters). And these are further divided into 953 phums (villages). All khans are managed by the Phnom Penh government. Some khans like Dangkao and Russey Keo are on the city's edges.

The city is led by a governor. The governor is in charge of the city's police and urban planning. There is also a first vice governor and five other vice governors. The chief of cabinet manages 27 administrative departments. Each khan also has its own chief.

Phnom Penh's Population and People

As of 2019, Phnom Penh had 2,129,371 people. The city's population density was 3,136 people per square kilometer. The city has grown a lot since 1979. The greater metro area continues to expand.

A 2017 survey showed that most people in Phnom Penh are Khmer (95.3%). About 4% are Chams. The rest (0.7%) are other groups. These include Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, and others.

The official language is Khmer. However, English and French are also widely used.

Religion in Phnom Penh

The main religion in Cambodia is Theravada Buddhism. Over 97.8% of people in Phnom Penh are Buddhists. Chams, people from South Asia, and a small number of Khmers practice Islam. A small percentage of people follow Christianity.

Phnom Penh's Economy

The Central Post Office Building

The Hong Kong Center, headquarters of oil producer TotalEnergies in Cambodia

Phnom Penh is Cambodia's main economic hub. It contributes a large part to the country's economy. The city has seen strong economic growth recently. This has led to many new hotels, restaurants, schools, and buildings.

The economy relies on things like clothing, trade, and small businesses. The property market has been growing fast. Tourism is also very important. Many new shopping centers have opened. This makes Phnom Penh a top tourist spot in Southeast Asia. Sisowath Quay is a popular area for tourists. It has many restaurants, bars, and hotels along the Tonle Sap River.

A large new city project, Camko City, is being built. It is worth US$2.6 billion. The city government plans to expand and build new services. This will help with the growing population and economy. Tall buildings are planned for the city's entrance. New roads, canals, and a railway system will connect Camko City and Phnom Penh.

Other big projects include:

• Grand Phnom Penh International City (under construction)
• Gold Tower 42 (construction started again in mid-2018)
• Vattanac Capital Tower
• The Peak

With economic growth, many new shopping places have opened. These include Aeon Mall Phnom Penh and Olympia Mall. Many international brands have also opened stores.

The tallest building in Phnom Penh is Vattanac Capital Tower. It is 188 metres (617 ft) tall. It stands out in the city's skyline. Modern tall buildings are being built all over the city.

The Central Market, Phsar Thmei, is a popular place for tourists. Its yellow buildings have many stalls. They sell jewelry, old coins, clothes, and food. Phsar Thmei is currently being renovated.

Learning and Education in Phnom Penh

Universities and Colleges

Buddhist Institute

Royal University of Phnom Penh Campus II

Institute of Foreign Languages

Institut de Technologie du Cambodge

Phnom Penh has many universities and colleges. Here are some of them:

Schools for Younger Students

Phnom Penh has many primary, secondary, and high schools.

International Schools

Phnom Penh also has many international schools.

Extra Learning Centers

The Japanese Supplementary School of Phnom Penh is a part-time Japanese school. It is run by the Japanese Association of Cambodia. It was started in 2002.

Phnom Penh's Culture and Traditions

"Dried" version of Phnom Penh noodles with soup broth on the side.

Phnom Penh has its own way of speaking Khmer. People from Phnom Penh sometimes shorten words. This has given it a reputation for being "lazy speech." The city is also known for its influence on New Khmer Architecture. Phnom Penh is famous for Ka tieu Phnom Penh, a type of rice noodle soup. You can find it in cafes and street stalls.

The city hosts many music events. Local bands have grown. This is partly thanks to music schools like SoundsKool Music. The Cambodian fishing dance started in Phnom Penh. It began at the Royal University of Fine Arts in the 1960s.

The Cambodian fishing dance originated from Phnom Penh.

The two most visited museums are the National Museum and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. The National Museum shows Cambodian history and old artifacts. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum was a prison during a difficult time in Cambodia's past. The National Museum also has shows of traditional Cambodian dance and music. This includes the famous Apsara dance.

Cambodian New Year Celebrations

Phnom Penh celebrates Cambodian New Year. This holiday is becoming very popular with tourists. It happens during the hottest part of the year. People throw water, dance, and enjoy music. The exact date changes each year. The holiday lasts at least three days. It marks the start of the new year in the old Khmer calendar. It also marks the end of the harvest season.

Water Festival Fun

The Water Festival is the biggest yearly event in Phnom Penh. It celebrates the changing flow of the Tonlé Sap River. The holiday lasts three days. Many people come to the city for fireworks, boat races, concerts, and parties. The boat races are very old. They show the strength of the Khmer navy from the Khmer Empire days.

In 2010, a sad event happened during the festival. At least 348 people were hurt in a crowd on a bridge.

Ancestors' Day Traditions

Ancestors' Day, also called Pchum Ben, is very important in Cambodian culture. It means "gathering together" to make offerings. It is a time for families to reunite and remember their ancestors. People offer food and good deeds. This helps their ancestors in the spirit world. It also helps them in the cycle of life.

Visak Bochea Observance

Vesākha is a yearly holiday for Buddhists in Cambodia. It is sometimes called "Buddha's Birthday." It celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Gautama Buddha.

Phnom Penh's Buildings and Design

Phnom Penh city at night

The oldest building is Wat Phnom. It was built in 1373 when the city was founded. Other popular places are the Royal Palace with the Silver Pagoda. The National Museum was built in the late 1800s. It has a large collection of old Khmer items. The Independence Monument was built in the 1950s. It also uses the old Khmer style.

The French ruled Cambodia from the 1800s to the 1940s. They built many colonial villas, churches, and wide streets. The Art Deco market Phsar Thom Thmei is also from this time. A famous building from the colonial era is the Hotel Le Royal.

After Cambodia became independent in the 1950s, Phnom Penh grew a lot. King Sihanouk wanted new architecture. This led to a "golden era" of building. Young Khmer architects, often trained in France, designed many new buildings. This style was called "New Khmer Architecture." It mixed modern styles with traditional Khmer designs. Vann Molyvann was a key architect. He designed buildings like the National Theatre. Other architects helped build the Royal Khmer University and the National Sports Centre.

Statue of Lady Penh, the city's founder.

Many new homes were built in the 1950s and 1960s. These buildings survived the difficult times later. But today, they are at risk from new development. People are working to save these modern buildings. Some old villas are now boutique hotels.

There are also places that remember the difficult times of the 1970s. These include the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Genocide Center. The Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument was built to show friendship after Cambodia was freed from the Khmer Rouge.

Phnom Penh has grown a lot since the 1990s. This growth has put pressure on the city's services. There is a need for more homes and business spaces. This has led to plans for new satellite cities. Some of the largest are Grand Phnom Penh International City and Diamond Island City.

On the edges of the city, farms have become factories. Homes for people with lower incomes are also built there.

Panoramic view of Phnom Penh from City Center

National Museum, designed in the early-1920s by George Groslier.	Royal Throne Hall, constructed in the 1860s under King Norodom I.	Façade, Hotel Le Royal, built in 1929 in the reign of King Sisowath Monivong.	Colonial villa in Phnom Penh.	Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction.

Phnom Penh city at night revealing skylines and the royal palace, viewed from the east bank of Tonle Sap river in September 2019.

Future City Plans

A plan for Phnom Penh's development until 2035 is in progress. This plan is supported by France. It aims to connect new city areas to the old center. This will be done with waterways and tree-lined paths.

Media and News in Phnom Penh

Daily Newspapers

Khmer Newspapers

• Sralagn' Khmer (Love Khmer)
• Chakraval Daily (Universe)
• Kampuchea Thmei Daily (New Cambodia)
• Kampuchea Tgnai Nis (Cambodia Today)
• Kanychok Sangkhum (Social Reflection)
• Koh Santepheap (Island of Peace)
• Moneaksekar Khmer (Khmer Conscience)
• Rasmei Kampuchea (Light of Kampuchea) – Cambodia's largest daily.
• Samleng Yuvachun (Voice of Khmer Youth)
• Udomkate Khmer (Khmer Ideal)
• Wat Phnom Daily (Mount Temple)

English Newspapers

• Phnom Penh Post, an English newspaper.
• The Cambodia Daily, an English newspaper (now online).
• Khmer Times, an English newspaper.

Chinese Newspapers

• 《柬華日報》(Jianhua Daily)
• 《星洲日報》(Sin Chew Daily)
• 《華商日報》(Huashang Daily)
• 《高棉日报》(Khmer Daily)
• 《新柬埔寨》(New Cambodia)

Magazines

• AsiaLIFE Guide Phnom Penh, a monthly English magazine (stopped in 2018).
• F Magazine, Cambodia's first fashion magazine. It is in English and Khmer.
• SOVRIN Magazine, a fashion magazine in Khmer.

Online News

• Thmey Thmey Phnom Penh
• Sabay News Phnom Penh
• Fresh News Phnom Penh

Sports in Phnom Penh

Martial arts like Bokator, Pradal Serey (Khmer kickboxing), and Khmer traditional wrestling are popular. Cambodia has become more involved in modern sports. Football and martial arts are especially liked.

The main sports places are the Morodok Techo National Stadium. It holds 60,000 people. It opened in 2021 and is home to the Cambodia national football team. The Phnom Penh National Olympic Stadium holds 30,000 people. It was built in 1964. Volleyball, basketball, and Tai-Kwon-Do games are often held there.

In football, Phnom Penh Crown FC is a well-known team. Other teams include Visakha, Nagaworld, and Boeungket.

The National Sports Centre of Cambodia hosts swimming, boxing, and volleyball. The city hosted the 2023 Southeast Asian Games and the 2023 ASEAN Para Games. This was the first time Cambodia hosted such a big sports event. Phnom Penh will host the 2029 Asian Youth Games.

Getting Around Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh International Airport

Phnom Penh International Airport is Cambodia's biggest airport. It is 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) west of the city center. You can get to the city by taxi, train, or shuttle bus. A new airport, Techo International Airport (Cambodia), is planned to replace it in 2025.

Cambodia's national airline, Cambodia Angkor Air, started in 2009. Its main base is in Phnom Penh.

Taxis, pick-ups, and minibuses travel from the city to other parts of the country. However, buses are becoming more popular. Phnom Penh also has a train service.

Many bus companies operate in Phnom Penh. They go to most provincial capitals. These include Sihanoukville and Saigon. Giant Ibis is another bus company. It offers free Wi-Fi and air conditioning.

The city is Cambodia's main freshwater port. It is a big port on the Mekong River. It connects to the South China Sea through a river channel in Vietnam.

Public Transportation

Phnom Penh BRT bus approaching Monivong-Sihanouk station

Phnom Penh has air-conditioned public buses. The city now has 21 bus lines. These are run by the Phnom Penh government. For private travel, people use cycle rickshaws (called "cyclo"), motorcycle taxis ("moto"), auto rickshaws ("tuk-tuk"), and regular taxis. Locals also use bicycles, motorbikes, and cars.

Train Travel

Phnom Penh Railway Station (2012)

Phnom Penh Royal railway station is a train station in the city. It is near the University of Health Sciences. The station was updated and reopened in 2010.

Passenger train services between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville started again in May 2016. They had been stopped for 14 years. As of May 2021, there are trains from Phnom Penh to other cities like Pursat and Battambang. Trains also go to Poipet, near the border with Thailand.

Major Roads

As the capital, Phnom Penh is connected to many parts of Cambodia by national highways:

In 2023, a new expressway opened. It connects Phnom Penh with Sihanoukville. China built this road.

Phnom Penh's Water Supply

Phnom Penh's water supply has greatly improved. This happened between 1993 and 2006. More people now have access to water. The quality of service is better. The city's water company, PPWSA, went from losing money to making a small profit. These improvements have won international awards. The main water sources are the Mekong River, the Tonle Sap river, and the Tonle Bassac river.

Cities that are Friends with Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is connected with these cities around the world:

Famous People from Phnom Penh

Further information: Category:People from Phnom Penh

• Tep Boprek, musician
• George Groslier, French historian and archaeologist
• Patricia Hy-Boulais, professional tennis player
• Theavy Mok (born 1963), Cambodia's first plastic surgeon
• Ieu Pannakar, film maker
• Makhali-Phâl, author
• Veth Rathana, actress
• Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia
• Mu Sochua, politician
• Preap Sovath, Cambodian singer
• Phal Sophorn, champion pradal serey boxer
• Chhet Sovanpanha, musician
• Loung Ung, author

More to Explore

• Special Economic Zones of Cambodia

See also

In Spanish: Nom Pen para niños