Pursat province facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pursat ពោធិ៍សាត់
Province
Pursat Province ខេត្តពោធិ៍សាត់
Seal
Map of Cambodia highlighting Pursat
Country	Cambodia
Provincial status	1907
Capital	Pursat
Area
• Total	12,692 km2 (4,900 sq mi)
Area rank	4th
Population  (2019)
• Total	419,952
• Rank	15th
• Density	33/km2 (90/sq mi)
• Density rank	20th
Time zone	UTC+07:00 (ICT)
Dialing code	+855
ISO 3166 code	KH-15
HDI (2017)	0.551 medium

Pursat (pronounced "Poo-sat") is a province located in the western part of Cambodia. Its name means "Floating Banyan." It shares borders with Battambang province, the Tonlé Sap lake, Kampong Chhnang province, Kampong Speu province, Koh Kong province, and Thailand. Pursat sits between the Tonle Sap lake and the northern part of the Cardamom Mountains. The Pursat River flows through the province, starting in the Cardamom Mountains and ending in the Tonle Sap.

Pursat is the fourth largest province in Cambodia by area. However, it ranks 15th in terms of how many people live there. You can reach Pursat by National Highway 5, by boat, or by train. The capital city, Pursat town, is about 174 kilometers northwest of Phnom Penh. It is also 106 kilometers southeast of Battambang.

The province is home to Wat Bakan, which is one of Cambodia's oldest and most sacred Buddhist temples. Pursat also hosts an exciting annual event called the River Run Race. This race includes 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer routes that follow the Pursat River. It's open to everyone, including people who use wheelchairs. Since it started in 2007, this event has become the second largest of its kind in Cambodia.

What Does "Pursat" Mean?

The name Pursat comes from the Khmer language. It means "floating banyan." The word Poŭthĭ- comes from the Sanskrit and Pali word bodhi. This is the type of tree where the Buddha became enlightened. The second part, -săt, comes from the Khmer word rôsăt, which means "to float." So, "Pursat" literally means "floating bodhi tree."

Exploring Pursat's Geography

The land in Pursat is very diverse. It has thick forests, fertile plains, and areas near the Tonle Sap lake. About 58% of Pursat is covered by forests. The tall Cardamom Mountains are in the west and southwest, along the border with Thailand. The land gently slopes down towards the northeast. This area turns into flat plains that stretch into Battambang province. Many of Cambodia's rice crops are grown here. The Pursat River flows in this direction, emptying into the Tonle Sap lake, which forms Pursat's eastern border. Pursat is one of nine provinces that are part of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. This reserve helps protect the unique environment around the lake.

Pursat's Economy

New Developments in Thmada

A new city is being built in Thmada, a village near the border in Veal Veang District. Investors from China are putting a lot of money into this project. The new city will be built in five stages. By 2019, about 80% of the first stage was finished. This included 1,000 apartments, a fancy hotel, restaurants, and casinos. The entire project is expected to be completed by 2022 or 2025.

Agarwood: A Special Tree Product

An Aquilaria crassna tree, which produces agarwood.

Because of Pursat's climate and geography, a special type of tree called Aquilaria grows well in its forests. When these Aquilaria trees, especially Aquilaria crassna, get infected by a certain mold, they produce a valuable substance called agarwood. In the past, there was a lot of wild agarwood. People wanted these trees for their unique smell. They were often cut down to be given as gifts to the royal family and important officials.

Agarwood from Pursat was known to be the most valuable and sought after. In the early 1970s, "oud Cambodi" (agarwood oil from Cambodia) was very popular. People believed it had special effects on their minds and feelings.

However, too many trees were cut down, and wild agarwood became rare. Now, Aquilaria trees are protected as an endangered species. Projects are now working to infect cultivated Aquilaria trees on purpose. This helps produce agarwood in a way that doesn't harm the environment. In 2015, a Cambodian official signed an agreement with a company from Singapore. This agreement allows the company to work with six million mature Aquilaria trees to produce agarwood.

How Pursat is Divided

The province of Pursat is split into six districts and one main city area. These are then further divided into 51 smaller areas called communes.

See also

In Spanish: Provincia de Pursat para niños