Where Is Cambodia and What
Is It Known For?

Rainforest, national park in Cambodia.

The Kingdom of Cambodia, also known as Cambodia, lies in southeast Asia and borders Thailand to the west and northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. The geography of Cambodia is dominated by the Mekong River and Tônlé Sap lake.

Phnom Penh is the kingdom's capital and largest city, and is the center of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. Siem Reap is the gateway to the Angkor region in which the famous temple of Angkor Wat and other Angkorian temples are located which makes it a main destination for tourism. Battambang, the largest province in northwestern Cambodia is known for its rice production, and Sihanoukville, a coastal city, is the primary sea port and beach resort.

Cambodia has an area of 181,035 square kilometres (69,898 sq mi) and a population of over 14 million people. Theravada Buddhism is the official religion, which is practiced by around 96% of the Cambodian population.

The climate is tropical monsoon. Forests cover half the country. Most of the population lives on the plains and is engaged in farming (chiefly rice growing), fishing and forestry. The economy is recovering slowly following the devastation of civil war in the 1970s.