Cambodia : Where are we?

Facts and Figures about the Kingdom of Cambodia

Map of Cambodia
Location SE Asia; 13 00 N

Area 181,040 sq km (@ 69,900 sq mi); slightly smaller than Oklahoma

Land mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north; a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap

Natural Resources timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential

Climate tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation

Population 12,775,324 … 0-14 years: 40.7%; 15-64 years: 55.8%; 65 years and over: 3.5%

Ethnic Groups Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%

Languages Khmer (official) 95%, French, English

Religions Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5%

Life Expectancy total population: 57.1 years; female: 59.5 years; male: 54.81 years

HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate – 4.04%

Literacy definition – age 15+ and able to read &write – total population: 35%; female: 22%; male: 48%

Per Capita Income ~$300

Ancient Times

5th – 6th centuries AD, the Indianized Kingdom of Funan
9th – 15th centuries AD, Angkorian Kingdom/Empire
- The golden age of Khmer culture and political power
- First a Hindu, then a Mahayana Buddhist, and then a Theravada Buddhist kingdom
15th – 18th centuries AD, decline and domination by Vietnam &Thailand

Modern Times

1887-1953 - Colonized by France
1967-1975 - Civil War
1975-1979 - Khmer Rouge reign of terror (responsible for 1-2 million deaths)
1979-1989 - Puppet government established after Vietnamese invasion
1993 - UN established multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy
1997 - Coup
1998 - Renewed political stability after national elections and formation of a coalition government