The Kingdom of Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation bordered by Vietnam to the east, Laos to the north, Thailand to the northwest, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. Cambodia is officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia. It is home to a population of over 15 million people. 95% of its inhabitants practise Theravada Buddhism. The country’s minority groups include Vietnamese, Chinese, Chams and 30 hill tribes. The capital and largest city is Phnom Penh. The kingdom is governed by a constitutional monarch.

Cambodia is home to beautiful temples, palaces and mountains. The country is rich in culture and history and offers a myriad of activities for tourists and visitors. The Angkor Wat is the most famous ancient temple site with its five lotus-like towers rising 65 meters in the sky which makes an awe-inspiring sight.

Besides temples, tourist can enjoy the beautiful scenery at Tonle Sap Lake by taking a boat to the floating village and soak in the local culture as they pass by shacks on stilts, children paddling with babies in canoes and livestock floating in pens. For the adventurous, a stop along Route 6 Cambodia offers platters of fried tarantulas, crickets and birds.

Cambodians are shy by nature so it is courteous to seek permission before taking pictures of them. When visiting places of worship, dress appropriately by showing cultural sensitivity by covering your knees, shoulders, stomach, backs and cleavage. Also, remember to take off hats and shoes when entering a pagoda. Refrain from touching someone’s head as it is considered to be the most sacred part of the body.

• Capital: Phnom Penh
• Dialing code: +855
• Currency: Cambodian Riel
• Population: 15.14 million (2013) World Bank
• When to Visit: Peak travel: Nov - Feb
• Climate: Tropical climate; monsoon Dec - Apr

For more country information, visit: here

For information on the Cambodia Veterans Association, click: here