- Land areas : 181,035 square kilometer`s that border with the countries of Thailand, Lao and Vietnam.
- Capital city : Phnom Penh
- Population : Over 14 million in 2008
- Official language : Khmer
- Second language : English and French
- Religion : Buddhism : 90 percent
- Cambodian currency : Riel
- Measurement : Metric system
- Time : GMT + 7 hours
- Electricity : High voltage 220v/50hz
- Country code : 855
Prepared by Mr. Sowanna Yun, English and Thai speaking guide in Siem Reap - Angkor - Cambodia. E-mail :
sowanna012@yahoo.com
Bus travel is now the most popular means of overland transport between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The road (National Route #6) is paved and smooth and there are several regularly scheduled daily buses in both directions, taking only 5 or 6 hours to make the trip.
River Ferry
Daily ferries runs on the Tonle Sap river and lake between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and Battambang province. The end of the trip is marked by a hill, Phnom Krom, near the ferry dockyard at Chong Khneas 12 km south of Siem Reap. During the dry season when the water is low, the ferry stops short of the dockyard and passengers transfer to smaller boats to traverse the final few hundred meter
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Cambodia shares overland border crossings with Thailand at Poipet, Koh Kong, O'smach, Pailin, Kam Reang and Unlung Veng checkpoint. Cambodia shares an overland border crossing with Vietnam at Bavet and Moc Bai checkpoint.Cambodia shares an overland border crossing with Lao country at Voeung Kam checkpoint.
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Banking and Money
Riels are used as the Cambodian currency. The Riel notes start from 100 and go all the way to 100,000. The notes are as follows:
100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000. The Exchange rate is 1 USD = 4,000Riel. US dollars are a widely used currency in Cambodia , but you will need some Cambodian Riels to make small purchases. 500 and 1000 Riels note are the most common and useful denominations. Hotels and most restaurants set prices in US dollars. Some places accept credit cards
and traveler cheque. Master Card and American Express are coming into wider use. Most businesses charge a 2% to 4% fee to accept credit cards.
Communication
Cambodian country calling country code is 855. International calls run less than $3 per minute. Local calls are 500 Riel/ minute and domestic long distances are $1 per minute. Some of the Internet places offer very inexpensive Internet phone service.
Materials and Clothes
Cambodia is a hot country so you do not need to bring winter clothing with you. Wear light, airy, clothing to protect yourself from the sun. The sun can be intense so bring a hat, and sunglasses. Carry an umbrella or raincoat with you during the wet season, wear practical shoes for climbing narrow steps and walking on uneven surfaces. Photographers should prepare for very bright light outdoor and heavily shadowed indoor photography, bring very low and high ASA films, a lens sun shield and a couple of extra batteries.
Working Hour
Cambodian offices and others start to open their offices at 7:30AM to 11:30AM. Resting at afternoon to start it again at 14:00PM to 17:00PM closed Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Cambodia standard time is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. It is in the same time zone as Vietnam , Laos and Thailand .
Religion
The religion governed the concept and execution of all Khmer art and architecture is enhanced by an understanding of the religious beliefs of the Khmers.
According to belief, when a person died his soul was reincarnated and his spirit became free. The former religious practices, which were adopted in Cambodia at a later date recognized a common belief in rebirth , the idea that one is born again and again in different forms. At the present time, 90% of the
the Cambodian people are of the Buddhist religion. Hinduism for the most part has gone away.
Food Facts
In Cambodia , 90% of the population depends on their own agriculture. Their main source of food is rice, which they grow only once a year. This is only through the rainy season, which starts in May and ends in October. The Cambodian's only grow enough rice to feed 85% of their population with about 2 meals a day. The rice grown is 90% rice paddy and 10% glutinous rice.
Climate
Cambodia has tropical weather, which makes the country very warm and humid. The maximum temperature ranges from 26.5oc to 27.5oc (April is the hottest month) and the minimum temperature ranges from 24oc to 26.5oc (December is the coolest month). These temperatures can vary in mountainous and plateau areas. Because Cambodia 's seasons are affected by monsoons they are not too hot or too cool. In Cambodia , the temperature changes less than 4c, through out the year so it is very suitable for tourists.
Cambodia has two main seasons:
Dry season: From November to April, affected by dry wind, which blows from Siberi (Northeast Monsoon).
Rainy season: From May to October, affected by wind bringing rain, which blows from the sea to the continent (Southwest Monsoon). The two seasons might change a little from year to year and area to area.
If you want to know more information from our country, Please come and pick up our services. You will not be disappointed in visiting Cambodia. More details with Sowanna Yun, an experienced guide over 10 years in history and culture.
Enjoy learning the history and viewing the many wonders of Cambodia with an experienced guide, fluent in English and Thai.
I am a Cambodian who can speak three languages: Khmer, English and Thai and work as professional guide in Siem Reap - Cambodia.
More Info. http://www.cambodianguide.com www.cambodiantour.com
