About Cambodia

Quick facts about Cambodia:

Country official name:   Kingdom of Cambodia; Short name: Cambodia; Local: Kampuchea
Capital: Phnom Penh
Population:   14 million (2010 estimate)
Area: 181,035 km2.
Currency: Riel ; 1 USD = 4,200 Riel ; US Dollars are widely accepted
Language: Khmer; English widely used in the capital
Religion: Buddhism (90%), Islam and Christianity and animistic beliefs
Ethnic groups: Khmer (majority), Chinese, Vietnamese, Chams and others


Life in Phnom Penh and Cambodia:
 
Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy, with His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni as Head of State, and Prime Minister Hun Sen serving as Head of Government. Though retired, King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Norodom Monineath, parents of the present monarch, are still widely revered among Cambodian people.
 
Located in Southeast Asia, Cambodia is bordered with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, with Phnom Penh as its capital. Known as “Pearl of the Orient” during the 1960s, Phnom Penh is currently one of the fastest growing cities in the region. With a population of close to 2 millions, Phnom Penh and Cambodia as a whole have now become one of the most popular destinations for tourists, expats, and general visitors. The friendliness and smiling faces of Cambodian people are just an asset to the many great things about Cambodia, which has been named “Kingdom of Wonder.”
 
Phnom Penh is an interesting mixture of traditional Khmer culture, a legacy of French colonial essence, and a remarkable mixture of international cultures that highly reflects Cambodia’s integration into a globalizing world. This is true for both the city’s architecture and lifestyle. The Royal Palace, National Museum, and Independence Monument, which are quite close to a chain of popular foreign restaurants along the riverside, are an evidence of that. The rising number of convenient stores and luxurious shopping malls in the city are adding color to such mosaic culture, and making life for foreigners in Cambodia so much easier, and altogether a rather interesting experience.
 
Life standard in Phnom Penh is relatively cheaper compared to the rest of other cities in Southeast Asia, be it accommodation or dining (tipping is not obligatory but is widely practiced in hotels and restaurants in addition to the service charges shown on bills). The high number of expats in Phnom Penh makes it quite easy for social networking and gathering for various social activities, as well as general recommendations on living experiences in the country.
 
A variety of transportation means makes it easy to get around the city. Driving, tuk-tuk, riding motorbike, taking motordup (motorbike-taxi) or taxi, or biking, are the many options one might consider for transportation. Although knowing Khmer is a plus, English is widely used in the city for both oral and written communications. Similarly, US Dollars are widely accepted and expected for transactions that are of large amount. In fact, 90 percent of all transactions in the country are conducted in US Dollars.
 
Cambodia is a not a large country. Traveling throughout the country is therefore not a difficult thing to accomplish. Not too far from the capital are surrounding provinces which have their own peculiarities. SIEM REAP is home to the well-known Angkor Wat, the largest religious edifice in the world, and hundreds of other ancient temples. SIHANOUKVILLE also boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. Waterfalls and ethnic hill-tribe communities in the north-east are also some of the popular destinations in the country. Similarly, Cambodia is also a convenient route to occasional vacations in other countries in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand and Vietnam.
 
Cambodia receives a tropical - monsoon season, which means there are typically two main seasons in a year: dry season and rainy season, and of course, a great variety of tropical fruits and rainforest. From November to February, the average mid-day temperature is in the mid 20°C., sometimes dipping below 20°C at night. April is the hottest and driest month of the year, with the temperature reaching to above 30°C. The rainy season generally lasts from June to November.  
 
For more information on visa application process, general information and photo galleries of tourist destinations in Cambodia, visit the homepage of the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia.
 
Zaman University is located in the northern part of Phnom Penh, not too far from Phnom Penh International Airport.
 
We believe you will have a worthwhile experience in Cambodia.
Take your chance, explore, and enjoy your stay in Cambodia!