Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia and is bordered by the Vietnam to the east and southeast, Laos to the northeast and Thailand to the northwest. Cambodia is also bordered by the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. Cambodia is a land of plains and great rivers and lies amid important overland and river trade routes linking China to India and Southeast Asia.
Cambodia’s landscape is characterized by a low-lying central alluvial plain surrounded by uplands and low mountains and includes the Tonle Sap (Great Lake) and the upper reaches of the Mekong River delta, transitional plains, thinly forested and rising to elevations of about 650 feet above sea level, extend outward from this central region. To the north, the Cambodian plain abuts a sandstone escarpment, which forms a southward-facing cliff stretching more than 200 miles from west to east and rising abruptly above the plain to heights of 600 to 1,800 feet. Flowing south through the country’s eastern regions is the Mekong River. East of the Mekong, the transitional plains gradually merge with the eastern highlands, a region of forested mountains and high plateaus that extend into Laos and Vietnam. The southwestern highlands cover much of the land area between the Tonle Sap and the Gulf of Thailand. In this remote and largely uninhabited area, Mount Aôral, Cambodia’s highest peak, rises to an elevation of 5,949 feet. The southern coastal region adjoining the Gulf of Thailand is a narrow lowland strip, heavily wooded and sparsely populated, which is isolated from the central plain by the southwestern highlands. The Tonle Sap is one of the world’s richest sources of freshwater fish. During the rainy season, the Mekong’s enormous volume of water backs up into the Sab and flows up into the Tonle Sap 65 miles to the northwest, expanding the lake’s surface area from a dry-season minimum of 1,200 square miles to a rainy-season maximum of more than 3,000 square miles. As the water level of the Mekong falls during the dry season, the process is reversed: water drains from the Tonle Sap back down into the Mekong, switching the direction of its flow.
Cambodia has a population of approximately 16 million people, with a diverse range of ethnic groups, cultures, and languages. The Khmer people make up about 90% of the population, with the remaining 10% comprising ethnic minorities such as Cham, Vietnamese, Chinese, and hill tribes. The official language is Khmer, but many people also speak Vietnamese, Chinese, and English. Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion, with about 95% of the population identifying as Buddhist. The people of Cambodia are known as Cambodians.
Cambodian cuisine is a fusion of Khmer, Chinese, and French influences, with a focus on fresh ingredients like fish sauce, lime juice, lemongrass, galangal, chilies, coconut milk, rice, noodles and fresh exotic fruits like durians, mangoes, and jackfruits; bold flavors, and spicy dishes like Fish Amok, Nom Banh Chok, Bai Mon, Kuy Teav, Char Kway Teow, Lap Khmer, Samlor Machu, Banana Blossom Salad and Grilled Corn.
Visa requirements
Most nationalities need a visa to enter Cambodia, but citizens of ASEAN (Association of South Eastern Asian Nations) countries can enter visa-free. Other nationalities can get a visa on arrival at airports or land border crossings. There are different types of visas available, including tourist visas, ordinary visas, and extensions of stay. Tourist visas are also available online in advance. The cost is $30 plus a $6 processing fee, with a 3-day processing time. To apply for a visa, you will need a valid passport, passport photos, evidence of health insurance coverage, and a letter of invitation from a registered Cambodian business or school. To enter Cambodia, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive in Cambodia and must be undamaged and complete. Visas can be extended at the large immigration office located directly across the road from Phnom Penh International Airport. Extensions are easy to arrange, taking just a couple of days. The cost varies depending on the type of visa and the length of the extension, www.evisa.gov.kh.
Touring Cambodia
Angkor Wat: a temple city and Cambodia’s number one tourist spot.
Phnom Penh: the frenetic capital of Cambodia
Koh Rong Samloem
Ratanakiri
Battambang
Kampot
Tonlé Sap Lake: Cambodia’s most important waterway and Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake.
Koh Kong Conservation Corridor
Kratie: a major destination for travelers, with dolphin-watching tours.
Mundulkiri
Caution
Cambodia has a significant number of landmines, particularly in rural areas. Avoid venturing off marked paths or trails.
Be cautious of overly friendly locals who approach you, as they may be trying to scam or overcharge you. Stick to official border crossings when traveling between Cambodia and neighboring countries.
Avoid traveling through remote areas at night, as there may be limited lighting and increased risk of accidents or crime.
Medical facilities and healthcare services may be limited in Cambodia, especially outside of major cities.
Avoid engaging in activities like gambling, drugs, or unlicensed tours, as they are illegal and potentially dangerous. A 6!
