Draft:Cambodia

Cambodia

Country

National flag

Flag of Cambodia

Native name

ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា

Motto

Nation, Religion, King

Anthem

Nokor Reach

Capital

Phnom Penh

Largest city

Phnom Penh

Official languages

Khmer

Demonym

Cambodian

Head of state

King Norodom Sihamoni

Head of government

Prime Minister Hun Manet

Legislature

Parliament

Currency

Riel(KHR)

Calling code

+855

Country map

Location of Cambodia in Southeast Asia

Cambodia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by Thailand to the west and northwest, Laos to the north, Vietnam to the east and southeast, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. Its capital and largest city is Phnom Penh. Cambodia covers 181,035 square kilometres, and the United Nations estimated its population at about 17.85 million in 2025.

The country's official language is Khmer, while the riel is the national currency. Cambodia's constitution establishes a monarchy in which the king serves as head of state while government is conducted under a constitutional system. As of 2026, Norodom Sihamoni is king and Hun Manet is prime minister.

Cambodia is the modern successor to a long tradition of Khmer civilization. The Khmer Empire, centred for centuries at Angkor, became one of the major powers of mainland Southeast Asia and produced monumental architecture including Angkor Wat. Cambodia later came under French protection in the nineteenth century and achieved full independence from France on 9 November 1953.

The country experienced severe political conflict and warfare during the second half of the twentieth century. The Khmer Rouge ruled Democratic Kampuchea from 1975 until early 1979. During this period, mass executions, forced labour, starvation, disease and other abuses caused the deaths of an estimated 1.5 to 2 million people. The 1991 Paris Peace Agreements created a framework for ending the long-running conflict, and the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia helped organize elections before a new constitution restored the Kingdom of Cambodia in 1993.

Name

The English name Cambodia is derived from forms of the country's Khmer name, Kampuchea. In Khmer, the official state name is ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា, meaning the Kingdom of Cambodia. The constitution identifies Khmer as the country's official language and script and gives the national motto as "Nation, Religion, King".

The terms Cambodian and Khmer are sometimes used interchangeably, although Khmer can refer more specifically to the country's majority ethnic group, its language and its historic civilization.

History

Early societies and the rise of Angkor

The territory of present-day Cambodia has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Before the rise of Angkor, a number of organized societies and states developed across the lower Mekong region. Archaeological remains from the pre-Angkor period show the presence of both Hindu and Buddhist traditions and the development of distinctive Khmer art and religious architecture.

The Angkor period began in the early ninth century and lasted into the fifteenth century. During much of this era, Khmer rulers controlled substantial areas of mainland Southeast Asia. Angkor became the political and religious heart of the empire and developed an extensive landscape of temples, reservoirs, canals, roads and settlements.

Angkor Wat, constructed in the twelfth century, became the best-known monument of Khmer architecture. Other important Angkorian monuments include the Bayon, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan and the urban complex of Angkor Thom. UNESCO describes Angkor as one of Southeast Asia's most significant archaeological landscapes.

The Khmer Empire's regional dominance weakened during the later medieval period as political and military pressure increased from neighboring states. The capture of Angkor by forces of the Ayutthaya kingdom in 1431 marked an important stage in the decline of Angkor as the main Khmer political centre.

French protectorate and independence

During the centuries after Angkor, Cambodian rulers operated between stronger neighboring powers, particularly Siam and Vietnam. In 1863, Cambodia became a French protectorate and later formed part of French Indochina.

During the twentieth century, King Norodom Sihanouk played a central role in negotiations over Cambodia's political status. Full independence from France was achieved on 9 November 1953.

Cambodia joined the United Nations on 14 December 1955.

Civil war and the Khmer Rouge

Political instability intensified during the regional wars of the 1960s and 1970s. In 1970, the monarchy under Sihanouk was displaced and the Khmer Republic was established. Civil war continued between the government and communist forces known as the Khmer Rouge.

The Khmer Rouge captured Phnom Penh on 17 April 1975 and established Democratic Kampuchea. The regime forced people out of cities, abolished or severely disrupted many existing social and economic institutions, imposed mass agricultural labour and persecuted groups that it regarded as enemies.

Deaths resulted from executions, imprisonment, forced labour, malnutrition, disease and harsh living conditions. Modern estimates generally place the death toll between about 1.5 million and 2 million people. The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia later concluded in its cases that Khmer Rouge leaders were responsible for crimes including genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Vietnamese forces entered Cambodia in late 1978 and captured Phnom Penh in January 1979, ending the Democratic Kampuchea government. Armed conflict nevertheless continued for years between the Phnom Penh government and several resistance groups.

Peace process and restoration of the kingdom

The Agreements on a Comprehensive Political Settlement of the Cambodia Conflict were signed in Paris on 23 October 1991. They provided for a ceasefire, international supervision, refugee repatriation and a political transition supported by the United Nations.

The United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia operated from 1992 to 1993 and organized nationwide elections. On 24 September 1993, a new constitution was promulgated, restoring Cambodia as a constitutional monarchy and bringing the UNTAC transitional mandate to an end.

The monarchy continues under the 1993 constitutional framework. Norodom Sihamoni, a son of Norodom Sihanouk, became king in 2004. Hun Manet became prime minister in 2023 and remained head of government as of 2026.

Geography

Cambodia lies in the southern portion of the Indochinese Peninsula. It has a land border with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam and a coastline on the Gulf of Thailand. The country's surface area is approximately 181,035 square kilometres.

Much of central Cambodia consists of a broad low-lying plain shaped by the Mekong River and Tonlé Sap. Mountainous and upland regions occur around parts of the country's borders. The southwest includes the Cardamom and Elephant mountain regions, while uplands also occur in the north and northeast.

The Mekong is one of Cambodia's most important river systems. It enters the country from Laos, crosses the eastern and central regions and continues toward Vietnam. Phnom Penh lies near the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonlé Sap waterways.

Tonlé Sap

Tonlé Sap is Cambodia's largest freshwater lake and a central feature of the country's geography, ecology and food systems. Its hydrological cycle is closely connected to the Mekong. During the rainy season, high Mekong water levels cause water to move toward the lake, greatly expanding its flooded area. When river levels fall, the direction of flow reverses.

The lake and its floodplains support fisheries, agriculture, flooded forests, waterbirds and many other species. Cambodia and UNESCO launched a Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve Strategic Plan for 2026–2030 to strengthen conservation, livelihoods and climate resilience in the region.

Climate and environment

Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons. Seasonal rainfall and the annual Mekong–Tonlé Sap flood cycle strongly influence agriculture and freshwater ecosystems.

The country contains tropical forests, wetlands, rivers, mangroves and other ecosystems. Cambodia is a party to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and has designated five Wetlands of International Importance. These ecosystems support fish, birds, reptiles, mammals and plant species, including a number considered globally threatened.

Cambodian law provides a framework for environmental protection, environmental-impact assessment and the management of forests, wildlife, water and other natural resources.

Government and politics

Cambodia's constitutional order is based on the constitution promulgated in 1993 and subsequently amended. The constitution describes Cambodia as an independent, sovereign and indivisible kingdom governed according to constitutional principles, liberal democracy and pluralism.

The King of Cambodia is head of state for life. The constitution states that the king reigns but does not govern. The monarch is selected according to constitutional rules governing succession rather than by automatic hereditary succession alone.

The prime minister is head of government. As of September 2026, King Norodom Sihamoni is head of state and Prime Minister Hun Manet is head of government.

Legislature

Cambodia has a bicameral national legislature consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate. The constitution provides for at least 120 members of the National Assembly, chosen through direct elections for five-year terms.

The Senate has a six-year constitutional term. Its membership combines indirectly elected senators with members selected through other constitutional mechanisms.

Law and constitutional rights

The constitution guarantees a number of civil and political rights, including freedom of belief, expression and association, subject to provisions of Cambodian law. It also recognizes voting rights and sets constitutional rules for eligibility to stand for elected office.

Cambodia's constitution identifies Buddhism as the religion of the state while also providing for freedom of religious belief and worship.

Administrative divisions

Cambodia is divided into provinces and the capital municipality of Phnom Penh. Provincial and municipal administration is further divided into districts, municipalities, communes and sangkats. Phnom Penh has a special administrative role as the national capital and the country's principal urban centre.

Other major Cambodian cities and urban centres include Siem Reap, Battambang, Sihanoukville, Kampong Cham, Kampot and Poipet.

Economy

Cambodia has undergone major economic change since the restoration of relative political stability in the 1990s. Between 2000 and 2019, the country's economy grew by an average of 8.2 percent a year, according to the World Bank. Major drivers included manufacturing exports, tourism, construction and real estate. Cambodia reached lower-middle-income status in 2015.

The COVID-19 pandemic produced Cambodia's first economic contraction in about 25 years, with output falling in 2020. Economic activity later recovered, although growth has varied across sectors.

United Nations data estimated Cambodia's gross domestic product at approximately US$42.8 billion in 2025, with GDP per person at about US$2,458. Manufacturing and exports, agriculture, construction, services and tourism all contribute to the economy.

Garments, footwear and travel goods have long been major manufactured exports. Agriculture remains important for employment and rural livelihoods, with rice among the country's major crops. Tourism is strongly associated with cultural sites such as Angkor, alongside Phnom Penh, coastal destinations and other historical and natural attractions.

In its June 2026 economic update, the World Bank projected real GDP growth of 3.9 percent for 2026, citing pressures that included higher energy costs, weakness in the property sector and reduced remittance income. It also reported that Cambodian goods exports remained strong in early 2026 and that foreign direct investment had reached US$5.1 billion in 2025.

The Cambodian riel is the official currency. The United States dollar has also historically been widely used in parts of the Cambodian economy.

Demographics

The 2019 General Population Census recorded 15,552,211 people living in Cambodia on census night, excluding people who were abroad. This was an increase of about 2.16 million people compared with the 2008 census. United Nations estimates placed the population at approximately 17.85 million in 2025.

Ethnic Khmer form the large majority of the population. Cambodia is also home to Cham communities, people of Chinese and Vietnamese descent and a number of indigenous ethnic groups, particularly in northeastern areas.

Population is concentrated in the central plains, around the Mekong and Tonlé Sap systems and in major urban areas. Phnom Penh is by far the country's largest metropolitan centre; UN data estimated the capital's population at about 2.0 million in 2025.

Language

Khmer is Cambodia's official language and script under the constitution. It belongs to the Austroasiatic language family and is spoken by most of the population. Minority and community languages are also spoken, while English is widely used in tourism, higher education and parts of business. French retains a smaller historical and cultural presence resulting from the colonial period.

Religion

Theravada Buddhism has a central place in Cambodian cultural life and Buddhism is constitutionally recognized as the state religion. The constitution at the same time guarantees freedom of religious belief and worship.

Muslim communities, particularly among the Cham people, form an important religious minority. Christian communities and followers of indigenous and other religious traditions are also present.

Education

Cambodia's constitution provides for free public primary and secondary education and states that citizens should receive at least nine years of education. It also directs the state to promote education and support Khmer language development.

The country's education system was heavily damaged by decades of conflict and particularly by the Khmer Rouge period. Reconstruction after the early 1990s involved reopening and expanding schools, training teachers and increasing access to higher education.

Cambodia today has a mixture of public and private educational institutions. Phnom Penh is the largest centre for universities and specialist institutions, although higher education facilities also operate in other provinces.

Health

The constitution places responsibility on the state to give attention to disease prevention, medical care and the provision of health facilities, including services in rural areas.

Cambodia's health system includes public hospitals and health centres alongside private medical providers. Improvements in infrastructure, vaccination, maternal and child health, sanitation and communicable-disease control have accompanied the country's broader development, although access and quality can vary between urban and rural areas.

Culture

Cambodian culture is shaped by Khmer traditions, Theravada Buddhism, royal institutions, village life and the historical influence of Indian and wider Southeast Asian cultures.

Traditional visual arts include stone carving, sculpture, silverwork, textiles and temple decoration. Classical Khmer architecture reached a particularly influential form during the Angkor era, when religious and royal complexes were built on a large scale.

Cambodian classical dance is noted for controlled hand gestures, formal poses, elaborate costumes and narratives connected with court and religious traditions. Folk music, shadow theatre and regional performance traditions also remain important parts of cultural life.

Rice and freshwater fish are fundamental elements of Cambodian cuisine. Common flavorings and ingredients include fermented fish products, herbs, vegetables, coconut, palm sugar and spices.

Cultural heritage

Cambodia has five properties on the UNESCO World Heritage List as of 2026: Angkor, the Temple of Preah Vihear, the Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk, Koh Ker, and the Cambodian Memorial Sites associated with twentieth-century repression and remembrance.

Angkor was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1992. The archaeological park covers roughly 400 square kilometres and contains the remains of successive Khmer capitals, religious monuments, hydraulic systems and transport networks. International conservation work helped remove Angkor from the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2004.

Khmer Rouge memorialization and justice

The legacy of the Khmer Rouge period remains an important part of Cambodia's historical memory. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh preserves the former S-21 detention and interrogation centre and documents imprisonment, torture and killing under Democratic Kampuchea.

The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia was created through cooperation between Cambodia and the United Nations to prosecute senior Khmer Rouge leaders and others judged most responsible for crimes committed between 17 April 1975 and 6 January 1979. Judicial proceedings ran from 2006 to 2022. The court subsequently entered a residual phase concerned with matters including archives, victims, witnesses and enforcement of sentences.

Tourism

Tourism is an important service industry in Cambodia. Angkor and the temples surrounding Siem Reap are the country's best-known international attractions. UNESCO describes Angkor as one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia.

Other destinations include Phnom Penh, the coastal city of Sihanoukville, the colonial-era architecture and surrounding countryside of Kampot, the temples of Preah Vihear and Koh Ker, Tonlé Sap and natural areas in the Cardamom Mountains and northeastern Cambodia.

Tourism also creates conservation challenges. At Angkor, heritage authorities and international partners have worked to balance archaeological protection, local communities, infrastructure and visitor activity.

International relations

Cambodia became a member of the United Nations on 14 December 1955. It joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on 30 April 1999.

Cambodia became a member of the World Trade Organization on 13 October 2004 after completing the accession process.

The country also participates in international and regional organizations concerned with development, trade, cultural heritage and the Mekong River region.

See also

• Phnom Penh
• Angkor
• Angkor Wat
• Khmer Empire
• Khmer language
• History of Cambodia
• Culture of Cambodia
• Geography of Cambodia
• Economy of Cambodia
• Southeast Asia

External links

• Office of the Council of Ministers of Cambodia
• National Institute of Statistics of Cambodia
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
• Cambodia at the UNESCO World Heritage Centre
• Cambodia profile at UNData
• Cambodia at ASEAN