OFFICIAL NAME
Kingdom of Cambodia
LOCATION
The Kingdom of Cambodia is bordered to the North by Thailand and Laos, to the East and the South by Vietnam, and to the South and West by the Gulf of Siam and Thailand.
AREA
181,035 square kilometers.
CAPITAL
Phnom Penh is the Capital of the country.
CLIMATE
The average temperature is 27 degree Celsius. There are two seasons, the monsoon season (Apr-Oct) and dry season (Nov-Mar). The hottest month is April. The coolest months are from December to January.
POPULATION
Approximately 14 million
Khmer compromise 90% of population. The other 10% are of various ethnic backgrounds, such as Vietnamese, Chinese, Chams and other hill tribes.
RELIGION
Theravada Buddhism is the official religion and is followed by 95% of population. There are some other practices such as Christianity, Islam and other religions.
LANGUAGE
Khmer is the official language. Older educated people speak and read French, while younger Cambodians study English as their second language. They are able to communicate foreigners very well.
CURRENCY
The unit is Riel. Riel denominations are 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000. The exchange rate is approximately 4200 per USD. US Dollars are generally accepted in the market. Some credit cards can be used at big shops.
LOCAL TIME + 7 hours ahead of GMT
VISA CONDITION AND FEES
For most foreign visitors, entry visa for Cambodia are obtainable at Cambodian Embassy or consulate abroad or upon arrival at both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International airports at the cost of US$20. For overland crossing visitors visa is obtainable at these borders check-points:
- Poipet (From Aranyaprathet, Thailand)
- Cham Yeam (From Trat, Thailand)
- Pailin (From Thailand)
- Doung, Battambang (From Thailand)
- O'Smach (From Thailand)
- Choam, Anlong Veng (From Thailand)
- Bavet (From Moc Bai, Vietnam)
- Kaom Samnor (From Chou Doc, Vietnam)
- Kaom Samnor (From Chou Doc, Vietnam)
- Dong Kralor (Laos)
Two passport-size photos and at least 6 months validity passport are required to obtain visa. Tourist visa can be extended for another month at the cost of US$15. One month business visa are also available and cost US$25 but can be extended indefinitely. Please note that other check point with Vietnam such as: Phnom Den (Tinh Bien) and with Laos: Veurnkham are also international check points but visitors need to obtain visa prior to arrival at these borders. This information is true as of June 2005, and is subject to change without prior notice.
WORKING HOURS
Government offices: 7:00-11:00a.m. and 2:00-5:00p.m.
Business Offices: 8:00-12:00a.m. and 2:00-5:00p.m.
Shops: 7:00a.m.-9:00p.m.
Banks: 8:30a.m.-3:00p.m., Monday-Friday,
8:30a.m.-12:00p.m., Saturday
VOLTAGE: 220V/50HZ
FOOD
The typical Khmer cuisine is rice with chicken, pork or beef. Chinese, European, Indian, Thai and Vietnam foods are available in numerous restaurants in major cities.
GETTING INTO CAMBODIA
There are direct flights to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. These flights are operated by Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airline, AirAsia, Dragonair, Lao Aviation, Vietnam Airlines and Southern China Airlines. Visitors can reach Cambodia by roads from Vietnam and Thailand.