GENERAL INFORMATION

General Information

Capital: The capital city of Phnom Penh, which has an area of 290 square kilometers, is generally considered the major center of administration, commerce, communication, culture, economy, education, industry, policy and tourism. It is also home to legal immigrants from Australia, Burma, China, France, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA, Vietnam, etc. Phnom Penh is a lifeline of the Cambodian economy, as well as a tropical paradise for tourists and businesspeople. Phnom Penh's resident population is said to total over two million people.Provinces: Besides the capital city of Phnom Penh, there are 23 provinces in Cambodia including Siem Reap, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Chnang, Kampot, Koh Kong, Oddor Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Rattanakiri, Steng Treng, Kampong Speu, Kandal, Kratie, Pailin, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Kampong Cham, Kam Pong Thom, Kep Mondulkiri, Pursat, Sihanoukville and Takeo.Climate: The average temperature is 27-28 degrees celsius. It varies from region to region, from 20-27 degrees during the wet season and from 28-35 during the dry season. The climate is comprised of two main seasons affected by the tropical monsoon -- the wet season from May to October and the dry season from November to April. The coolest period lasts from December to January.
The monsoon season may carry some heavy rains but these quite often occur during the late afternoon and overnight in between August and October and are unlikely to spoil your enjoyment.The monsoon season may carry some heavy rains but these quite often occur during the late afternoon and overnight in between August and October and are unlikely to spoil your enjoyment.Religions: Theravada Buddhism is the official prevailing religion in Cambodia, and approximately 90% of the population are Buddhists. The country also has minority religions such as Islam, Hinduism and Christianity. Since Buddha's statues and images represent the Buddha, visitors are asked to behave respectfully to all statues and images. It is illegal to take any piece of sandstone out of the temple and also any Buddha statue out of Cambodiawithout the express permission of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.Languages: Khmer is the official language in Cambodia. English is very popular with Khmer people for communicating with foreigners in administrative, commercial, diplomatic, economic, and industrial and tourist affairs. The older people who were educated at the local comprehensive schools can speak French fluently. Khmer-English road and street signs are found nationwide.Military:The king is the Supreme Commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and the country's prime minister effectively holds the position of commander-in-chief. The introduction of a revised command structure early in 2000 was a key to the reorganization of the RCAF. This saw the ministry of national defense form three subordinate general departments responsible for logistics and finance, materials and technical services, and defense services. The High Command Headquarters (HCHQ) was left unchanged, but the general staff was dismantled and the former will assume responsibility over three autonomous infantry divisions. A joint staff was also formed, responsible for inter-service co-ordination and staff management within HCHQ.The minister of National Defense is Tea Banh. Tea Banh has served as defense minister since 1979. The Secretaries of State for Defense are Chay Saing Yun and Por Bun Sreu.Ke Kim Yan is the current commander of the RCAF. The Army Commander is Meas Sophea and the Army Chief of Staff is Chea Saran.Wildlife of Cambodia: Cambodia has a wide variety of plants and animals. There are 212 mammal species, 536 bird species, 240 reptile species, 850 freshwater fish species (Tonle Sap Lake area), and 435 marine fish species.The country has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world. Since 1970, Cambodia's primary rainforest cover fell dramatically from over 70 percent in 1970 to just 3.1 percent in 2007. In total, Cambodia lost 25,000 square kilometers (9,700 sq mi) of forest between 1990 and 2005—3,340 km2 (1,290 sq mi) of which was primary forest. As of 2007, less than 3,220 km2 (1,243 sq mi) of primary forest remain, with the result that the future sustainability of the forest reserves ofCambodia is under severe threat, with illegal loggers looking to generate revenue.Transportation in Cambodia:The civil war severely damaged Cambodia's transport system, but with assistance and equipment from other countries Cambodia has been upgrading the main highways to international standards and most have been vastly improved since 2006. Most main roads are now paved. Cambodia has two rail lines, totaling about 612 kilometers (380 mi) of single, one meter gauge track. The lines run from the capital to Sihanoukville on the southern coast and from Phnom Penh to Sisophon (although trains often run only as far as Battambang). Currently only one passenger train per week operates, between Phnom Penh and Battambang.Besides the main interprovincial traffic artery connecting the capital Phnom Penh with Sihanoukville, resurfacing a former dirt road with concrete/asphalt and implementation of 5 major river crossings by means of bridges have now permanently connected Phnom Penhwith Koh Kong. Hence there is now uninterrupted road access to neighboring Thailand and its vast road system.The nation's extensive inland waterways were important historically in international trade. The Mekong and the Tonle Sap rivers, their numerous tributaries, and the Tonle Sap Lakeprovided routes of considerable length, including 3,700 kilometers (2,300 mi) navigable all year by craft drawing 0.6 meters (2 ft) and another 282 kilometers (175 mi) navigable to craft drawing 1.8 meters (6 ft). Cambodia has two major ports, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, and five minor ones. Phnom Penh, located at the junction of the Bassac, the Mekong, and the Tonle Sap rivers, is the only river port capable of receiving 8,000-ton ships during the wet season and 5,000-ton ships during the dry season.With increasing economic activity has come an increase in automobile and motorcycle use, though bicycles still predominate. As often in developing countries, an associated rise in traffic deaths and injuries is occurring. Cycle rickshaws are an additional option often used by visitors.The country has four commercial airports. Phnom Penh International Airport (Pochentong) inPhnom Penh is the second largest in Cambodia. Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is the largest and serves the most international flights in and out of Cambodia. The other airports are in Sihanoukville and Battambang. Local time: 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (no summertime in Cambodia)Major Industries:Clothing, fishing, footwear, rice milling, rubber, shipping, textiles, timber and tobaccoMajor Trading Partners:
Major trading partners include Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand,USA and Vietnam.Major trading partners include Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand,USA and Vietnam.Currency:The Cambodian currency is the Riel which can fluctuate slightly with the US dollar. Riel denominations are 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200; 100 and 50. Banknotes, which are printed in both Khmer and English, increase in size according to value and are in different colors. The value of the Riel is currently about 4200 per US dollar. Foreign currencies can be easily changed at airports, hotels or markets, but American dollars are widely accepted in Cambodia. Credit cards are only accepted in banks and main hotels. Credit cards can get cash from ATMs at the airports and some of the banks in the towns.
However, the US Dollar is commonly used. There is no need to change from USD to Riel.However, the US Dollar is commonly used. There is no need to change from USD to Riel.Telephones, Faxes & Internet:
International phone calls can be made quite easily from most hotels. Rates for calling out of the country are normally considerably higher than for calling in. In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, phone cards are widely available, and cards can be purchased at many outlets. There are also several reasonably priced mobile phone systems.
- Country code: 855
- Phnom Penh code (IDD): 23; Siem Reap code: 63 International phone calls can be made quite easily from most hotels. Rates for calling out of the country are normally considerably higher than for calling in. In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, phone cards are widely available, and cards can be purchased at many outlets. There are also several reasonably priced mobile phone systems.- Country code: 855- Phnom Penh code (IDD): 23; Siem Reap code: 63 All hotels and travel agencies offer complete fax services. The ministry of Post and Telecommunication can also offer phone and fax services all day.In response to globalization, Cambodia has been expanding information services for tourists through the Internet system. Wireless services are now available at Cambodia's leading hotels.Opening Hours:Government offices
Monday to Friday       :    07:30 - 11:30
14:00 - 17:00Monday to Friday       :    07:30 - 11:3014:00 - 17:00Business Offices
Monday to Friday       :    07:30 - 12:00
14:00 - 17:30
Saturday                      :    07:30 - 12:00Monday to Friday       :    07:30 - 12:0014:00 - 17:30Saturday                      :    07:30 - 12:00Banks
Monday to Friday       :    08:00 - 15:00
Saturday                    :   08:00 - 12:00Monday to Friday       :    08:00 - 15:00Saturday                    :   08:00 - 12:00Shops and Markets
Open everyday            :    07:00 - 17:00Open everyday            :    07:00 - 17:00Emergency Services:
Police                          :    117
Fire                             :    118
Ambulance                  :    119Police                          :    117Fire                             :    118Ambulance                  :    119Location and Area:Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia occupying a total area of 181,035 square kilometers (69,898 sq miles). It is bordered to the North by Thailand and Laos, to the East byVietnam, to the South by Vietnam and the Gulf of Thailand and to the west by the Gulf ofThailand and Thailand.Cambodia is divided into six major regions: The western and northwestern regions are mountainous covered with tropical forest, fruit trees and plenty of wildlife; the northwestern region is a plateau abounding with tropical forest, wildlife, waterfalls, diamonds and magic; the central region is a plain used for cultivating mainly rice, other grains and beans. For enjoying fish and mangrove, there's the western and southwestern coastal plain popular with tourists to who like to sunbathe on the sandy beaches and eat seafood. The western and northeastern valleys are suitable for the development of hydro-electric power; and the 2 peninsulas are suitable for tin mining, rubber cultivation and fishing.Population:
Total population is nearly 15 million. 90% are Khmer who are the aboriginals. The other 10% are composed of Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, and hill tribe groups such as Phnong, Kuoy, Stieng, Tamil. Chinese influence is very strong, particularly in the business sector.Total population is nearly 15 million. 90% are Khmer who are the aboriginals. The other 10% are composed of Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, and hill tribe groups such as Phnong, Kuoy, Stieng, Tamil. Chinese influence is very strong, particularly in the business sector.