 General
information & Travel tips
Country
Name:
-Conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia
- Conventional short form: Cambodia
-Local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea
- Local short form: Kampuchea
Area:
181,040 sq km (Land: 176 520 sq km Water: 4,520 sq km)
Capital:
Phnom Penh
Climate:
Cambodia can be visited throughout the year. Cambodia has
three seasons. One is cool and dry and last from November to February
with temperatures around 17 c – 27 (night – day). December and January
are the most ideal months to visit Cambodia. From March onwards
it starts getting pretty hot especially in April. The tropical rainy,
monsoon season from June to October temperatures around 27 c – 35
c. During this season the humidity can be as high as 90%. Siem Reap
in general is cooler than Phnom Penh.
Government:
Multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy established
in September 1993. (Independence from France on 9 November 1953)
Head
of State: King Norodom Sihanouk
Head
of Government: Prime Minister Hun Sen
Health:
Visitors should have up to date inoculations for the following
diseases: Cholera, Hepatitis, Malaria, Typhoid, Rabies, Japanese
B Encephalitis
Language:
The Khmer Language is very unique and distinctive. To the Western
eye characters are very much like those of Thai, but closer look
reveals they are quite different. Many older Cambodians speak
French which up until 1976 was the principal language used in
the education system. English are widely used in tourism business.
Map:
Population:
13.12 million
People:
90% ethnic Khmers, 1% Chinese, 5% Vietnamese,
4% other
Religion:
95% Buddhist, Cham Muslim and Roman Catholic
 Topography:
Cambodia is situated in Southern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Siam,
Thailand (803 km), Vietnam (1,228 km) and Laos (541 km).Dialling
Code: 855
Electricity: 220V
,50Hz
Weights
& measures: Metric
Festivals
& Public Holidays:
Traditional Cambodian festivals are set according to Khmer lunar
calender. The most important of this is the Cambodian New Year –
“Chaul Chhnam” which falls in middle April. Also in April is the
Visak Bauchea commemorating the birthday and illumination of Buddha.
January 1: New
Year's Day
January 7: Victory Day over Genocide
February 5: Meak Bochea Day
March 8: International Women's Day
April 13 –15: Khmer New Year
May 1: Labour Day
May 3: Visaka Bochea Day
May 7: Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day
June 1: International Children's Day
June 18: Queen’s Birthday
September 24: Constitution Day
October 12-14: Pchum Ben Day
October 23: Paris Peace Agreement
October 30-31,November 1: King's Birthday
November 9: Independence Day
November 25-27: Water Festival, Moon Festival
December 10: UN Human Rights Day
To
& From Cambodia:
The majority of visitors fly into the international airport at
either Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. A growing number of visitors are
also arriving overland from Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.
Airport
Departure Tax:
Pochentong International Airport (Phnom Penh)
- Domestic: US$5.-
- International: US$20.-
Siem Reap Airport:
- Domestic: US$5.-
- International: US$15.-
Currency:
The official currency is the Riel. US Dollars
are widely accepted and even preferred in hotel and larger stores.
Thai Baht are also widely accepted in Siem Reap. The rate of exchange
is approximately 3,800-4,000 Riel to 1 US$ or 100 Riel to 1 Baht
(Thai). Credit Cards are accepted only at major hotels and very
few places. Major banks change all major currencies and travelers
cheques. Cash advances on credit cards are available only at major
Banks in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Battambang,
with a high charge. It is better to carry US Dollar bills in small
dominations.
Cuisine:
Khmer food is typical spicy, with a high proportion of
fish, either fresh water from the Tonle Sap Lake, or seafood from
the southern coast. There are numerous restaurants offering selections
in quality and budget for the following types of food: Italian,
French, Indian, Thai and Chinese.
Visas &
Entry Requirements:
A visa is required
for most nationalities and can be obtained at Royal Embassies and
Consulates of Cambodia.Vaccinations are not required. A one-month
visa, on arrival at Pochentong and Siem Reap airports are available,
2 photos are required. Visa fee cost US$20 for a tourist visa and
US$25 for a business visa. Visa application form will be provided
on inbound flights.
Visitors arriving
Cambodia by crossing the border Thai/Cambodia can also apply visa
at the border. Visa fee cost 1,000.- Baht for a tourist visa and
1,500.- Baht for a business visa. Dollars and Riel are not accepted.
Visitors arriving
overland from Laos and Vietnam must obtain a visa in advance as
they cannot be obtained at the border.
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