Cambodia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kingdom of Cambodia ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា (Khmer) Preah Reacheanachak Kampuchea
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: ជាតិ សាសនា ព្រះមហាក្សត្រ Cheat, Sasna, Preah Mohaksat "Nation, Religion, King"
Anthem: នគររាជ Noko Reach "Majestic Kingdom"
Show globe Show ASEAN
Capital and largest city	Phnom Penh 11°34′10″N 104°55′16″E / 11.56944°N 104.92111°E / 11.56944; 104.92111
Official languages	Khmer
Official script	Khmer
Ethnic groups (2019/20)	95.4% Khmer 2.4% Cham 1.5% Chinese 0.8% others
Religion (2019)	97.1% Buddhism (official) 2.0% Islam 0.3% Christianity 0.5% others
Demonym(s)	Cambodian Khmer Kampuchean (historical)
Government	Unitary parliamentary constitutional elective monarchy under an authoritarian hereditary dictatorship
• Monarch	Norodom Sihamoni
• Prime Minister	Hun Manet
• President of the Senate	Hun Sen
Legislature	Parliament
• Upper house	Senate
• Lower house	National Assembly
Formation
• Funan	68–550
• Chenla	550–802
• Khmer Empire	802–1431
• Middle period	1431–1863
• French protectorate	11 August 1863
• Independence from France	9 November 1953
Area
• Total	181,035 km2 (69,898 sq mi) (88th)
• Water (%)	2.5
Population
• 2024 estimate	17,638,801 (71st)
• Density	94.4/km2 (244.5/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2025 estimate
• Total	$150.590 billion (89th)
• Per capita	$8,678 (132th)
GDP (nominal)	2025 estimate
• Total	$51.159 billion (94th)
• Per capita	$2,948 (139th)
Gini (2013)	36.0 medium
HDI (2022)	0.600 medium · 148th
Currency	Riel (៛) (KHR; de jure and de facto) United States dollar ($) (USD; de facto)
Time zone	UTC+07:00 (ICT)
Calling code	+855
ISO 3166 code	KH
Internet TLD	.kh

Cambodia (also called Kampuchea) is a country in Southeast Asia. It is located on the southern part of the Indochinese Peninsula. Cambodia shares borders with Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the north, and Vietnam to the east. To the southwest, it has a coastline along the Gulf of Thailand.

The capital and largest city of Cambodia is Phnom Penh. Cambodia is a member of the United Nations and ASEAN. Its economy is growing fast, especially in areas like clothing, building, and tourism. This brings in money from other countries.

Cambodia has many different plants and animals, especially in its seasonal tropical forests. However, there is a lot of deforestation (trees being cut down). The country is also very affected by climate change.

Cambodia's Story: A Look at Its History

Cambodia has been home to people for a very long time. In 802 AD, a king named Jayavarman II united different groups. This started the Khmer Empire. This empire helped spread Hinduism and later Buddhism across Southeast Asia. They built many amazing temples, like Angkor Wat, which is now a World Heritage Site.

After the 1400s, the Khmer Empire became less powerful. In 1863, France took control of Cambodia. Cambodia gained its independence in 1953. Later, the Vietnam War affected Cambodia. From 1975 to 1979, a group called the Khmer Rouge ruled the country. During this time, many people died in what is known as the Cambodian genocide. In 1979, the Khmer Rouge were removed from power.

After a peace agreement in 1991, the United Nations helped Cambodia hold elections. Today, the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) is the main political party.

Exploring Cambodia's Geography

Geographic map of Cambodia

Regional map of Cambodia

Cambodia is about 181,035 square kilometers (69,898 sq mi) in size. It is located in the tropics, between 10° and 15°N latitude and 102° and 108°E longitude. Its coastline along the Gulf of Thailand is about 443 kilometers (275 mi) long.

The center of Cambodia is a flat plain. This plain is surrounded by hills and small mountains. It includes the Tonle Sap (Great Lake) and the Mekong River delta. The plains around the center are lightly forested. They rise to about 200 meters (650 ft) above sea level.

To the north, there is a sandstone cliff called the Dângrêk Mountains. This cliff is over 200 miles (320 km) long and rises sharply from the plain. The Mekong River flows through eastern Cambodia. East of the Mekong, the land becomes forested mountains and high plateaus.

In southwestern Cambodia, there are two mountain ranges: the Krâvanh Mountains and the Dâmrei Mountains. These cover much of the land between the Tonle Sap and the Gulf of Thailand. Phnom Aural, Cambodia's highest mountain, is in this area. It is about 1,813 meters (5,949 ft) high. The southern coast is a narrow, wooded lowland.

The Tonle Sap lake is a very special feature. In the dry season, it is about 2,590 square kilometers (1,000 sq mi). But in the rainy season, it grows much larger, to about 24,605 square kilometers (9,500 sq mi). This area is very important for growing rice and is home to many people.

Cambodia's Climate: Wet and Dry Seasons

Köppen climate classification map of Cambodia

Cambodia has a tropical climate with two main seasons, like much of Southeast Asia. These are called monsoons. Temperatures usually range from 21°C to 35°C (70°F to 95°F).

From May to October, the southwest monsoon brings wet winds from the Gulf of Thailand. This is the rainy season. The northeast monsoon brings the dry season, which lasts from November to April. The most rain falls in September and October. The driest months are January and February.

Cambodia is very vulnerable to climate change. This means it is easily affected by things like rising sea levels and extreme weather. People in coastal areas are especially at risk. There can be shortages of clean water, big floods, and mudslides.

Climate change also affects the Tonlé Sap lake. This impacts the food supply and farming for many Cambodians.

The rainy season (May to October) can have temperatures around 22°C (72°F) and high humidity. The dry season (November to April) can see temperatures go up to 40°C (104°F) in April. Flooding happens almost every year.

Amazing Wildlife and Nature in Cambodia

Macaques at Phnom Pros, Kampong Cham Province

Cambodia's nature is rich with seasonal tropical forests. These forests have about 180 different types of trees. There are also many animals: 212 kinds of mammals, 536 bird species, and 240 types of reptiles. The Tonle Sap lake area alone has 850 kinds of freshwater fish.

The Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve protects the Tonle Sap lake and the areas around it. It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Other important natural areas include the forests in Mondolkiri and Ratanakiri provinces. The Cardamom Mountains also have special protected areas like Preah Monivong National Park.

Waterfall at Phnom Kulen

Prey Lang Forest

Sadly, Cambodia has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. This means forests are being cut down very quickly. In 1969, over 70% of Cambodia was covered by forests. By 2007, this was only 3.1%. This loss of habitat threatens many endangered animals and plants. Trees are cut down for illegal logging, building projects, and farming.

Dams built on the Mekong River also pose a danger to Cambodia's food supply. They can harm the fish stocks in the Tonle Sap lake. Fish from this lake are a major source of food for many people in Cambodia.

The Cambodian government is working with environmental groups to protect its nature. They have a new plan to help the country grow in a sustainable way.

Sports and Fun in Cambodia

People in Cambodia enjoy many sports. Some popular sports from other countries include golf, rugby, and soccer. Traditional Cambodian sports are buffalo racing, dragon boat racing, and the Khmer martial art called bokator (also known as pradal serey).

Cambodia first took part in the Olympic Games in 1956. They have participated regularly since 1996.

Cambodian Culture and Traditions

Cambodian culture has been influenced by Hinduism. Today, most people in Cambodia practice Buddhism. Many customs and traditions are based on Buddhist beliefs.

Cambodian food includes tropical fruits, rice, noodles, and different soups. A popular breakfast is 'kah-tieu', a rice noodle soup. 'Kah-tieu Phnom Penh' is a famous version with shrimp, beef balls, and chicken broth. Cambodians also eat red curry noodle soup and curry with rice or French bread. Cambodian food is similar to Vietnamese and Southern Thai food.

A special kind of tattoo in Cambodia is called a yantra tattoo. It has ancient Khmer and Pali writing. Soldiers often get these tattoos. A religious person or monk usually does the tattoo. It is believed to protect the person if they follow certain rules, like not talking for three days or following the five Buddhist rules. Famous actress Angelina Jolie has a yantra tattoo.

Cambodians celebrate the Cambodian New Year in April. The exact date changes each year but is usually around April 13-16. It is based on Theravada Buddhism.

The Cambodian Flag

The flag of Cambodia features a famous three-towered temple called Angkor Wat. This temple is the country's most well-known monument and a popular place for tourists.

The Cambodian flag has three horizontal stripes. There are two blue stripes at the top and bottom. In the middle, there is a red stripe that is twice as wide as each blue stripe. The red stripe stands for the nation. The temple on the flag represents the structure of the universe.

Cambodia's Provinces

Cambodia is divided into 25 areas called provinces. This includes the capital city. These provinces are then split into smaller parts called districts and municipalities. These are further divided into communes and quarters.

Map of Cambodia's provinces

Transportation in Cambodia

People in Cambodia use many ways to get around. These include boats, cars, motorcycles, elephants, trains, and airplanes.

Cambodia's Economy and Growth

The Royal Palace

Cambodia's economy has been growing quickly. New buildings are being constructed, like Gold Tower 42, which will be its first skyscraper. A new city called Camko City is also being built near Phnom Penh. This project aims to make Phnom Penh more modern for foreign businesses.

Cambodia's Relationships with Other Countries

Cambodia has good relationships with most countries. It is a part of ASEAN. Cambodia has had some disagreements with Vietnam and Thailand about land borders. Interestingly, Cambodia has good relations with both Koreas.

People and Languages of Cambodia

Most people in Cambodia are Khmer. There are also smaller groups like Chinese, Vietnamese, Cham (who are Muslim), Laotians, and other native groups living in the highlands.

Languages Spoken in Cambodia

The main language is Khmer. It belongs to the Mon–Khmer language family. French used to be widely spoken, especially by older Cambodians. It is still taught in some schools. Cambodia is also a member of La Francophonie, a group of French-speaking countries.

Since 1993, English has become more common. It is now replacing French as the main foreign language. English is taught in many universities. Street signs are often in both Khmer and English.

The Khmer script (writing system) comes from an old script from South India.

Religion in Cambodia

Pchum Ben, also known as "Ancestors Day", is an important religious festival celebrated by Khmer Buddhists.

Theravada Buddhism is the official religion of Cambodia. More than 95% of the people practice it. There are many Buddhist temples across the country. Cambodian Buddhism also has influences from Hinduism and older local beliefs about spirits.

Islam is followed by about 2% of the population. Most of these are Cham people.

Cambodia's Land and Nature

Much of Cambodia is covered in forests. However, the central lowlands have many rice paddies and fields for crops like corn and tobacco. There are also areas with tall grass and thin woods.

In the eastern highlands, you can find grasslands and forests where trees lose their leaves. The mountainous areas to the north have evergreen forests with very tall trees and thick plants. In the southwestern mountains, there are pine forests at higher elevations. The rainy coastal areas have thick rainforests and mangrove swamps.

Related pages

• Cambodia at the Olympics
• Cambodia national football team
• List of rivers of Cambodia

Images for kids

• 

  Glazed stoneware dating back to the 12th century

• 

  Khmer army going to war against the Cham, from a relief on the Bayon

• 

  A map of Indochina in 1760

• 

  Norodom Sihanouk and Mao Zedong in 1956

• 

  Real GPD per capita development of Cambodia

• 

  The Cambodian position on the Human Development Index, 1970–2010

• 

  Food stands in Siem Reap.

• 

  Paddy field in Siem Reap Province

• 

  Farmers harvesting rice in Battambang Province

• 

  Every year, nearly 2.6 million tourists visit Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

• 

  National Highway 4

• 

  Phnom Penh airport shuttle train

• 

  An ethnic map of Cambodia

• 

  Cambodian couple wearing traditional wedding outfit (Sompot, Sbai, Chong Kben).

• 

  The Institute of Foreign Languages of the Royal University of Phnom Penh

• 

  The 19th-century illustration tale of Vorvong & Sorvong

• 

  Boat racing during Bon Om Touk

• 

  Sinn Sisamouth, a famous Cambodian singer

See also

In Spanish: Camboya para niños