Cambodia General Information
LAND AREA
181,035 square kilometers. It 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.
POPULATION
Total population is 12 million. Khmer people account for about 90% of citizens. Ethnic group is 10%.
CAPITAL
Phnom Penh, 290 square kilometers, is considered as the center of Industry, Administration, Commerce and Tourism. The population is over 1 million.
CLIMATE
The average temperature is 27oC. There are two seasons, the monsoon season from May to October, and dry season from November to April. December to January is the coolest period.
RELIGION
The official religion is Theravada Buddhism. Ninety percent of Khmers follow this religion. The country also has minority religions such as Islam, Christianity.
LANGUAGE
The official language is Khmer. It is part of the Mon-Khmer family. English has gained popularity. The older people speak French.
CURRENCY
The Riel. Denominations are Riel 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200; 100; 50. Foreign currencies can be easily changed at hotels, airports, markets and banks.
TELEPHONE
Phone cards are available throughout Phnom Penh Capital and the cards can be purchased at many outlets. There are also several mobile phone systems.
- Country Code: 855
- Phnom Penh Code (IDD): 023
- Siem Reap Code: 063
VISA
The visa on arrival valid for a thirty-day stay is issued to each tourist at a cost of US $20 and to each businessman at a cost of US $25 at the Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap Airport, and international border checkpoints. Visas can be obtained at Royal Cambodian Embassies or Consulates in foreign countries. Indeed, the free visa (K) is issued to the Cambodian who live overseas. The visa can be extended at the Immigration Department in Phnom Penh City.
DOMESTIC TRANSPORT
There are many kinds of transport in Phnom Penh. The favored mode of transportation is still by taxi, car rental, bus, motorbike Cyclo.
The Cyclo (maximum US $3 per hour) provides visits with a way to view the city at leisurely place. Rail transport is available. Travel by rail is only possible to reach Battambang province and Shianoukville.
There are eight provincial airports throughout the country. River travel is becoming popular, along the Tonle Sap, Tonle Bassak, and Mekong River. Travel to some parts of Cambodia, tourists are advised to contact the Ministry of Tourism, Provincial Tourism offices at the information counters in Phnom Penh International and Siem Reap Airports.
ON ARRIVAL
Visitors enter Cambodia through Phnom Penh International Airport and Siem Reap Airport. If previous booking is made, arrangements will be made for an airport pick-up. If any traveler makes their own way to the city, the taxi will take 15 minutes to reach Phnom Penh City from Phnom Penh International Airport at a cost of US $7 and 10 minutes to reach Siem Reap City from Siem Reap Airport at a cost US $5.
FOOD
Rice and Fish, together with a tempting array of herbs, sauces and spices are typical Khmer cuisine. Curries and soups with beef, port, poultry and seafood can be bought from any street vendor at a normal charge. There is no problem in Phnom Penh. All the world’s main cuisine are found here in more than 100 restaurants such as European, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean and Vietnamese
OPENING HOURS
Government offices are opened from 07:30am to 11:30am and resume from 02:00pm to 05:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Private offices are usually opened for business from 07:00am to 08:00pm everyday. Banks are opened fro 08:00am to 03:00pm, Monday to Friday, and Saturday from 08:00am to 12:00 noon. It is closed on Sunday and public holidays. Markets are daily opened from the early morning to the evening.
MUSIC
It plays an important part in the lives of the people, and accompanies all of the dances, rituals and ceremonies.
ACCOMMODATION
More than 200 supervised hotels handle the yearly influx of more than one million visitors from all continents. Accommodation price is moderate, but those seeking luxury will find five star deluxe hotels in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
TOUR GUIDES
Government-licensed tourist guides are available to help visitors pay a trip. These multi-linguistic guides accompany organized bus tours, or the guide or the visitor can hire car on an individual basis with the driver. Visitors are welcomed by more than 100 travel agencies and offered guides speaking English, French, Japanese, German, Spanish, Chinese, Thai, Korean, and Vietnamese.
