Cambodia at a Glance
Many events have shaped Cambodia’s history from the glory of the Khmer empire from the 9th – 13th centuries which stretched over most of South East Asia, to the intolerable cruelties of the Khmer Rouge’s 1975-79 rule, resulting in the near loss of all Khmer culture. Today, Cambodia retains much of its beauty and grandeur with close ties to its turbulent past. A stroll through the suburbs of Phnom Penh will find beautiful wide boulevards, colonial architecture and a bustling riverfront that made it the Paris of the east before 1970. While a visit to the infamous S21 and killing fields will jolt your soul and enlighten your mind.
The temples of Angkor remain a symbol of Khmer glory. Declared a World Heritage site in 1992, today the ruined capital still remains an inspiring scene that will set hearts racing. A destination like no other from unspoilt beaches and forgotten temples to a vibrant capital, Cambodia is a place to relax while absorbing local culture, sights and sounds.
Tourism is defined as travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for more than twenty-four (24) hours but not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited".
Tourism has become a popular global leisure activity. Although the financial crisis of 2007 had triggered international travel demand to suffer a strong slowdown and intensified further by the outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus in 2009, the demand for tourism exists. Tourism spending made up 13.6% of Cambodia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with foreign visitors to Cambodia numbering more than 3 million in 2009. The Kingdom of Cambodia occupies an area of approximately 181,035 square kilometres (69,898 sq mi) with a population of over 14 million people.
The Kingdom borders Thailand to the west and northwest, Laos to the north, Vietnam to the east and southeast, and the Gulf of Thailand to the south. The geography of Cambodia, dominated by the Mekong River and the Tonlé Sap, has made this an exotic and wholesome tourist destination in South East Asia.
Phnom Penh, the Kingdom's capital and largest city, is the principal center for the country's economy, industry, commerce and culture. Siem Reap, located near the famous Angkor Wat, a Heritage of Humanity and World Wonder, is the gateway to the Angkor region, and is country's main destination for tourism. The sacred site of Preah Vihear temple, a world heritage situated on the edge of a plateau that dominates the plain of Cambodia, is an unique architectural complex of a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases on an 800-metre long axis. In terms of plan, decoration and relationship to the spectacular landscape environment, this is indeed an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture not to be missed. Sihanoukville, a coastal city, is the primary sea port and boasts one of the world’s best beach resorts. The northeastern frontier province of Rattanak Kiri, where its geography is diverse, encompassing rolling hills, mountains, plateaus, lowland watersheds, and crater lakes, offers great opportunities for the adventurous to enjoy eco-tourism. Some of the last remaining pristine mangrove forests in Southeast Asia are found in Cambodia: lush "rainforests by the sea" that are among the most biologically diverse wetlands on earth.
Collectively, all of the wonderful destinations in Cambodia, coupled by the traditions and culture that have a rich and varied history dating back many centuries, radiate the colors that make Cambodia a ‘must-visit’ destination in one’s lifetime.
