The Kingdom of Cambodia, once the heart of the mighty Khmer Empire, is situated on the southern reaches of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Covering a landmass of approximately 181,035 square kilometres (69,898 sq mi), Cambodia is bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest.

With a population exceeding 14.8 million, Cambodia ranks as the 70th most populous country in the world. The official religion is Theravada Buddhism, practiced by about 95 % of the population. Among the country’s minority groups are Vietnamese, Chinese, Chams and some 30 hill-tribe communities. The capital and largest city, Phnom Penh, serves as Cambodia’s political, economic and cultural hub. The nation operates as a constitutional monarchy. His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, selected by the Royal Throne Council, is the head of state. The head of government is Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has served longer than any other non-royal leader in Southeast Asia, ruling Cambodia for over 25 years.

Historically known as “Kambuja”, the country’s recorded history begins in 802 AD when King Jayavarman II proclaimed himself sovereign, heralding the start of the Khmer Empire. That empire endured for more than six centuries, exerting influence across much of Southeast Asia and amassing immense power and wealth. The Indian-influenced kingdom erected grand monuments, including Angkor Wat—now a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and played a central role in the spread of Hinduism and later Buddhism throughout the region. Following the fall of Angkor to the Siamese kingdom of Ayutthaya in the 15th century, Cambodia fell under the sway of its neighbours and later became a French protectorate in the mid-19th century, before gaining full independence in 1953.

The war in Vietnam spilled over into Cambodia and set the stage for the rule of the Khmer Rouge, which seized Phnom Penh in 1975 and carried out the Cambodian Genocide from 1975-1979. They were subsequently overthrown by Vietnamese forces, leading to the Cambodian–Vietnamese War (1979-1991). Following the 1991 Paris Peace Accords, Cambodia was briefly overseen by a United Nations mission (1992-1993), during which elections saw nearly 90 % of registered voters participate. In 1997 a coup consolidated power under Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Cambodian People’s Party, which remains in charge today.

In recent years, Cambodia has posted one of Asia’s strongest economic growth records, averaging about 6 % annually over the past decade. Key industries include textiles, agriculture, construction, garments and tourism, all of which have attracted foreign investment and robust international trade. Offshore oil and natural-gas reserves were discovered in 2005, but development has been limited partly due to territorial disputes with Thailand. Despite these positive trends, Cambodia’s Human Development Index (HDI) currently places the country in 138th place (tied with Laos), reflecting its status as a medium-to-low development nation.

Today, Cambodia enjoys relative peace and stability in Southeast Asia and welcomes millions of tourists each year. The region around Siem Reap is a premier destination for culture and history, with thousands of beautiful temples awaiting discovery. For shoppers and souvenir seekers alike, the market at Old Market (Phsar Chas) in Siem Reap is a colourful maze of Khmer arts and crafts, jewellery, carvings, bags, trinkets and more. From kitchenware and clothes to local street-food stalls and stalls claiming strange smells, the scene is vibrant and full of character. The newer Noon Night Market offers a cleaner shopping environment, though it lacks some of the authentic ambiance of the older market.