Cambodia Facts & Tips

Geography
Cambodia has an area of about 181,035 square kilometers, divided into 21 provinces and bordered to the north by Thailand and Laos, to the east and the south by Vietnam, to the south and west by the Gulf of Siam and Thailand

Climate and Seasons
Situated in the tropical zone, Cambodia is bathed in sun almost all year-round. Each season brings a refreshing change.

There are two seasons - the monsoon and dry. The humid, rainy season lasts from April to October. Temperatures range from 27-35 degrees Celsius. The hottest month is April when the temperatures can reach 38 degrees C. The cool, dry season lasts from November to March, with temperatures ranging from 17-27 degrees C. December to January is the coolest period at about 27 degrees C.

Language
The Cambodian language - Khmer - is part of the Mon-Khmer family, and has influenced both spoken and written Thai. French and English are widely spoken in hotels and business circles.

Religion
The official religion of Cambodia is Theravada Buddhism, which is also practiced in Laos, Thailand, Burma and Sri Lanka. Theravada Buddhism was introduced to Cambodia in the 12th century by King Jayaverman VII and is the official religion in contemporary Cambodia .

Ethnic Groups
The largest ethnic group in Cambodia is Vietnamese. In addition , there are considerable numbers of Chinese descendants who dominate the business community in Phnom Penh. Hmong and Tai groups live in the highlands and rural areas.

Health
All visitors to Cambodia should have up-to-date inoculations for cholera, typhoid, A and B, malaria and tuberculosis.

Food
Rice and fish are the basic food items among the Khmer people. Local specialties include curries, soups, amok (fish cooked in coconut) and a variety of dishes prepared with beef, pork, poultry and sea-food, abundant in the rivers and oceans. Chinese and western cuisines are common in the capital.

Entertainment
There are a variety of entertainment places in the capital, from lively nightclubs to quieter social venues such as the foreign Correspondents Club, an interesting meeting place for anyone interested in the current affairs of the country.

Handicrafts and Souvenirs
Cambodia is widely recognized as being associated with beautiful carvings and is home to some of the most exquisite religious sculptures in the world. Hand-crafted items are widely available, including colorful Cambodian silk , basketry, gold and silverware, traditional musical instruments and paintings.

Festivals and Holidays
The dates of Cambodian traditional festival are set accordingly to the Khmer lunar calendar. The most important of these are Chaul Chnam Thmei (Khmer New Year) which falls in mid-April, and the Water Festival in mid-November, during which the Tonle Sap reverses its flow and begin to fill the Mekong Pirogue races, which last three days, are held Phnom Penh in front of the Royal Palace.

Sports Facilities
Limited sports facilities are available at the International Youth Club, located near Wat Phnom. Opened in June 1993, the Club offers a large swimming pool of international, a gym, tennis courts, petangue, ping pong, badminton courts, squash courts and volley-ball courts. The hotel Sofitel Cambodiana has tennis-courts and a swimming pool.

Currency and Banking
The official currency is the riel. Denomination are 100, 200, 500, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 50,000 and 100,000. At the time of publication, the riel fairly stable at approximately 2,500 = 1 US dollar. Exchange rates are subject to fluctuation.