CAMBODIA - SIEM REAP

Cambodia is a country of vibrant active culture. People don’t come to Cambodia looking for a boring story of extinct civilizations. They come to Cambodia looking for adventure. And, they find it!

Covering an area of 181,035 square kilometers, the Kingdom of Cambodia is made up of a population of approximately 14.8 million people - 90 percent Khmer, 5 percent ethnic Chinese, and 5 percent Muslims, Vietnamese, and hill tribes.

95 percent of the Cambodian population practice Buddhism (Theravada), the national religion, with the other 5 percent practicing Islam, Christianity or others.

With Phnom Penh as its capital, the small country is very rich in

People traveling along the Sap River's bank in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, during the afternoon.

archaeological treasures. There are thousands of ancient temples scattered throughout the nation, especially Siem Reap’s Angkor Wat temple, one of the world’s wonders, attracting about 2 million foreign tourists each year. Cambodia is also favorable for eco-tourism with approximately 443 kilometers of coastline decorated by mangroves in Sihanoukville, Koh Kong, and Kampot, which are fringed by mile after mile of soft white sand and offer a number of other attractions.

There are also numerous waterfalls surrounded by the beauty of the tropical forest, especially in the provinces of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri, which are exclusively inhabited by about 24 ethnic minority groups. Currently, even though the provinces have been invaded by modern culture, most of them still strictly maintain their traditions and customs. The country is also riddled with traditions, customs, and folkloric dances.

Cambodia's Tonle Sap, or Great Lake, is one of the unique geographical wonders of the world. It offers visitors an insight into the centuries-old traditions of riparian life and the natural splendor of the country.

The three hundred species of freshwater fish in the lake ensure a livelihood for the many thousands of fishermen, who skillfully throw their nets from small wooden boats in a manner reminiscent of centuries-old tradition. For the astute birdwatcher, the aquatic habitat attracts thousands of birds and fish-eating waterfowl. Eighty percent of the Cambodian people are farmers. In addition to the rice cultivation season, they grow vegetables, raise animals, make pottery, and weave silk, scarves, or sarongs. Some also fish depending on the area.