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General Information
Location and Area
Cambodia, which is physically located in Southeast Asia, occupies a total area of 181,035 square kilometers. It is commonly bordered to the north by Thailand and Laos, to the east by Vietnam, to the south by Vietnam and the Gulf of Thailand and to the west by the Gulf of Thailand and Thailand.
Geographically speaking, Cambodia is divided into six major regions: The western and northwestern mountains rich in topical forest, wildlife and fruit trees; the northwestern plateau abounding with tropical forest, wildlife, waterfalls, diamonds and magic; the central plain known as a large area of flat land for cultivating mainly rice,corns and bean; for favoring fish and mangrove, there's the western and southwestern coastal plain popular with tourists who sunbathe on the sandy beaches, and who consume seafood; the western and northeastern valleys suitable for the develoment of hydro-electric power; and the peninsula suitable for tin mining, rubber cultivation and fishing.
Population
Total population is more than 14 million. Ninety per cent of residents are Khmer, and the remnants of these are Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, Phnong, Kuoy, Stieng, Tamil... etc. Chinese influence is very strong, particularly in the business sector.
Capital
The Phnom Penh Capital, which has an area of 290 square kilometers, is seriously considered the major center of administration, commerce, communication, culture, economy, education, industry, policy and tourism. It is also home to legal immegrants from Australia, Burma, China, France, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Philipines, Russian, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA, Vietnam, etc. The Phnom Penh is a lifeline of Cambodian economy for sustaining residents and it is a tropical paradise for tourists and businessmen. The Phnom Penh's resident population is said to total over two million people.
Cities: Sihanouk Ville, Pailin and Keb.
Climate
The average temperature is 27-28oc. It varies up to region from 20-27oc during the wet season and from 28-35oc during the dry season. The climate is comprised of two main seasons affected by the tropical monsoon- the wet season from May to October and the dry season from November to April. The coolest period lasts from December to January.
The monsoon season may carry some heavy rains but these quite often occur during the late afternoon and overnight in between August to October and unlikely to spoil your enjoyment.
Religions
Theravada Buddhism is the official prevailing religion in Cambodia, and approximatley ninety percent of the population is Buddists. The country also has minority relgions such as Islam, Hinduism and Christianity which Muslims, Hindus and Christians believe in. Since Buddha's statues and images represent the Buddha, visiters are asked to behave respectfully to all statues and imeges so as not to cause offence to local people. It is illegal to take any piece of sandstone out of the temple and also any Buddha's statue out of Cambodia without the express permission of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.
Languages
Khmer is the official language in Cambodia. English is very popular with Khmer people for communicating with foreigners in admistrative, commercial,diplomatic, economic, industrial and tourist affairs. The older people educated at their local comprehensive school can speak Fench clearly. Khmer-English road and street signs are found nationwide.
Local time: 7 hours ahead of (Greenwich Mean Time)
Major Industries
Clothing, fishing, footwear, rice milling, rubber, shipping, textiles, timber and tobacco
Major Trading Partners
Major trading partner are Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, USA Vietnam, etc.
Currency
The Cambodian currency is Riel that can fluctuate a little if it is compared with a dollar. Riel denominations are 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200; 100 and 50. banknotes, which are printed in both Khmer and English, increase in size according to value and are in deffeeent colors.
Foreign currencies can be easily changed at airports, hotels or markits, but American dollars are widely accepted in Cambodia. Credit cards are only accepted in banks and main hotels or credit cards can get cash from ATM at the airport and some of the banks in town.
However, US Dollar is common used. There is no need to change from USD to Riel.
Telephones, Faxes & Internet
International phone calls can be made quite easily from lower to upper level hotels. Rates for calling out of the country are normally considerably higher than for calling in. In Phnom Penh, phone cards are widely available through out the city,and cards can be purchased at many outlets. There are also serveral mobile phone systems.
- Country code: 855
- Phnom Penh code(IDD): 23
All hotels and travel agencies will offer complete facsimile services. The ministry of Post and Telecommunication can offer phone and fax services all day.
In response to globalization, Cambodia has been expanding information services for tourists through the Internet system. Serivices are now available at Cambodia's leading hotels.
Passports
All visitors entering Cambodia must possess valid passports. Your passport has to be valid dated for at least six months afer the issued date.
Visas
Special condition will be given for all Cambodian Open delegates from the goverment(Press, golfers, invited guests and VIP).
All nationalities need to apply for a travel visa, except from the following countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Philipines, and Laos.
Otherwise, a visa on arrival, valid for a thirhty-day stay, is specifically granted at Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport, and International Border Checkpoints. Visa are also granted at Royal Cambodian Embassy or Consulate abroad. The visa fee for a tourist is US$ 20 and the one for a businessman is US$ 25. Visa can be extended at Immigration Department in Phnom Penh City. A free visa (K) is expressly granted to the Cambodian living overseas.
The Royal Goverment of Cambodia has recently approved e-visa. All you have to do is complete the online application form available at the website(evisa.mfaic.gov.kh), pay by credit card, and include a recent passport size photo in JPEG/PNG format. The visa will be approved within three business days, allowing you to breeze by that lengthy line and get a jump-start on your holiday.
The e-visa, valid for a thirty-day stay, is available only for a typical tourist visa for a single entry. It is currently not available for notionalities from Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Arab Saudi, Algeria, Sudan,, and Sri Lanka. For a business visa, please apply at your nearest Embassy or on arrival in all major check points.
Tourists getting such a visa online can enter Cambodia through Pnom Penh Internarional Airport and Siem Reap International Airport only, and they exit through five main points: Including Phnom Penh Inernational Airport, Siem Reap International Airport, Bavet(Svay Rieng), Cham Yeam(Koh Kong) and Poipet (Banteay Meanchey).
Airport tax
- The international Flight: Each foreigner has to pay US$ 25, and each Khmer person has to pay US$ 18 at Phnom Penh International Airport or Siem Reap International Airport.
- Addtionally, childen below the age of twelve have to pay US$ 13, chidren bellow the age of 2 do not need to pay tax at any Airport.
- Domestic flight: Each foreigner has to pay US$ 6 and each Khmer person has to pay US$ 5 at Phnom Penh International Airport or Siem Reap International Airpot.
Opening Hours:
Goverment offices
Monday to Friday : 07:30 - 11:30
14:00 - 17:00
Business Offices
Monday to Friday : 07:30 - 12:00
14:00 - 17:30
Saturday : 07:30 - 12:00
Banks
Monday to Friday : 08:00 - 15:00
08:00 - 12:00
Shops and Markets
Open everyday from : 07:00 - 17:00
Emergency Services
Police : 117
Fire : 118
Ambulance : 119