Area
181,035km2. It is bordered to the North by Thailand and Laos, to the East and the South by Vietnam, and to the South and the West by the Gulf of Thailand.

Capital City
Phnom Penh (Population approx 2 Million, 290 square kilometers). It is considered the center of Industry, Administration, Commerce, and Tourism.

Population
13,124,764 Million (2003 est.) (90-95% Khmers) the balance being ethnic Chinese, Cham, ethnic Vietnamese and hill-tribe people.

Language
Khmer, secondary languages: English and French

Religion
95% Theravada Buddhist with the balance being Muslim, Christian and animist

Time
GMT+7 hours

Voltage
220v/50Hz

Currency
RIEL (USD1 approximately 4000 Riels). US dollars are widely accepted.

Telephone
Country code: 855, Phnom Penh code: 23. Phone cards are available, and can be purchased at many outlets. There are also several mobile phone systems. Mobile phones can be rented from booths on the street on a pay-per-call basis.

Opening Hours
Government offices: business hours are from 7:30am-11: 30am and 2:30pm-5pm, Monday to Friday. Banks are open from 8am-3pm Monday to Friday. Markets are open from early morning to late evening, including Sundays and pubic holidays.

Tourist information
Ministry of Tourism. Tel.: (855)23 211 593, Fax: (855)23 212 837

Emergency
There are emergency services in Phnom Penh. Call 119 ambulances, Call 118 fire truck, Call 117 polices.

Climate
Two monsoons set the rhythm of rural life in Cambodia. The cool, dry, north-eastern monsoon blows from about November to March and brings little rain. From May to early October, the south-western monsoon picks up moist air from over the Indian Ocean, bringing strong winds, high humidity, and heavy rains throughout the country. The weather is transitional between the seasons, but even during the wet season it rarely rains in the morning. Most of the rain comes in afternoon downpours. Visitors should be warned that roads in the northeastern regions in particular, can become flooded during the rains. Travel in these areas should be avoided during the peak of the wet seasons.

Food and Drinks
Rice and fish are the basic foods enjoyed by Cambodians. Delicious noodle soups are available at cafes. Fresh seafood is plentiful at Sihanouk Ville. In major cities a wide range of culinary fare is on offer including; Chinese, Thai, French, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Vietnamese and Middle Eastern.

Shopping
There are a wide variety of items available for purchase in Cambodia. The country was once well known for its superior silk weaving, metal work and woodcarving. After decades of neglect, many of these arts are being revived. Visitors can find silver items, jewelry, gems, colorful cloth for sarong and hols (variegated silks), wood carving, paper mache' masks, stone copies of ancient Khmer art, brass and bronze figurines and oil paintings in the different markets and shops on main avenues. The traditional clothing for both men and women is the krama, a long, narrow checked silk or cotton cloth available in most markets and shops. Jewelry is generally not up to international standards for design and workmanship and buyers should use caution when purchasing gold and gems, many gems are fake and we recommend not to follow anybody's recommendations. The export of antiques is subject to approval of the Ministry of Culture. Bargaining is essential for all souvenirs shopping, if travelers are to obtain reasonable prices.

Internet
Internet access is available in most hotels in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. There are also plenty of internet cafes with reliable connections at very reasonable prices. Following are Internet addresses, which access relevant information on Cambodia:
http://www.diethelmtravel.com/cambodia
http://www.cambodia-web.net
http://www.embassy.org/cambodia
http://www.phnompenhpost.com
http://www.cambodia.org

January 07, Victory Day over Genocide

February 09, Meak Bochea Day
Buddhist Ceremony held during the full moon of the month of Meak Bochea in commemoration of the spontaneous gathering of the monks to listen to the buddha's preaching.

March 08, International Women's Day

April 14-15-16, Khmer New Year
The New Year Festival spend three days following the end of the harvest season. People clean and decorate their houses with altars of offerings. People play many traditional games at this time of the year.

May 13-14-15, King's Birthday
His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromoneath NORODOM SIHAMONI Festivities are held throughout the capital city.

June 18, Her Majesty Samdech Preah Reach Aka Mohesey NORODOM MONINEATH SIHANOUK's Birthday

September 18-19-20, Bonn Pchum Ben
Phchum Ben is a celebration where people bring offerings to the Monks, and spend a day of worship at the pagoda.

September 24, Constitution's Day and Recoronation Day of H.M. Preah Bat Samdech Preah NORODOM SIHANOUK

October 29, Coronation of King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromoneath NORODOM SIHAMONI

October 31, King's Birthday
His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah NORODOM SIHANOUK's Birthday Festivities are held throughout the capital city.

November 01-02-03, Water and Moon Festival
Bonn Om Touk (Water and Moon Festival). A three-day festival not only marks the reversing of the current in the Tonle Sap river but ushers in the fishing season as well. The highlight of this event is the boat race in which more than 200 teams compete over three days for the top prize. As night falls, fireworks light the sky and a lighted flotilla of boats sail under the full moon.

November 09, Independence Day
The date Cambodia achieved independence from France in 1953 is marked by a parade of spectacular floats highlighting the nation?s achievements.

December 10, United Nation Human Rights Day
A festival of many traditional dance forms.