Cambodia : General Information

Official Names

conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia
conventional short form: Cambodia
local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea
local short form: Kampuchea
former: Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia

Population

Approximately 13 million

Surface Area

total: 181,035 sq km
land: 176,515 sq km
water: 4,520 sq km

Elevation

lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m
highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos.

Terrain

Mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north. A land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong river and Tonle Sap lake.

Climate

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

Race

The majority (90%) of the population is ethnic Khmer while the remaining 10% are comprised of Cham (Khmer Muslims), hill tribes (and other minorities), Chinese and Vietnamese.

Language

Khmer is the official language. English is the second language with a smattering of French here and there.

Religion

Theravada Buddhism is the official religion in Cambodia. 95% of the population is Buddhist; the remainder is either Muslim or 'Other'.

Languages Spoken

Khmer (official) 95%, French, English

Natural Hazards

Monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts

Infectious Diseases

degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country