Chapter 06

Discover Cambodia

Welcome to Cambodia

Bienvenue au Cambodge

Official name
Kingdom of Cambodia
Capital
Phnom Penh
Population
~ 18.1 million
Median age
~ 27 years
Total area
181,035 square kilometres
Angkor Wat’s five towers above its galleries, across a dry moat, in black and white

Distances from Phnom Penh to the Provinces and Cities

Distances entre Phnom Penh et les provinces et villes

Map of Cambodia’s provinces, with Phnom Penh marked by a star

Cambodia has 24 provinces, while Phnom Penh is administered separately as the national capital. Across the country, river plains, seasonal wetlands, forested highlands, mountain ranges and coastal ecosystems support different communities, livelihoods and ways of life.

Phnom Penh – Angkor Wat
321 km
Phnom Penh – Bokor
189 km
Phnom Penh – Kirirom
117 km
Phnom Penh – Kampot
148 km
Phnom Penh – Kep
174 km
Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville
230 km
Phnom Penh – Kampong Chhnang
91 km
Phnom Penh – Pursat
189 km
Phnom Penh – Battambang
291 km
Phnom Penh – Pailin
371 km
Phnom Penh – Banteay Meanchey
359 km
Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
314 km
Phnom Penh – Kampong Thom
167 km
Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham
124 km
Phnom Penh – Prey Veng
90 km
Phnom Penh – Svay Rieng
122 km
Phnom Penh – Takeo
78 km
Phnom Penh – Kandal
11 km
Phnom Penh – Kampong Speu
48 km
Phnom Penh – Kratie
315 km
Phnom Penh – Stung Treng
455 km
Phnom Penh – Mondulkiri
521 km
Phnom Penh – Preah Vihear
294 km
Phnom Penh – Ratanakiri
588 km
Phnom Penh – Koh Kong
271 km
Phnom Penh – Oddar Meanchey
469 km
Phnom Penh – Tboung Khmum
204 km

Discover the various regions of the Kingdom of Cambodia

Phnom Penh, the heart of the Kingdom of Cambodia, embodies a rich blend of art, culture, history, and economic vitality. From the Royal Palace and the riverside to its diverse architecture and cuisine, the capital reflects Cambodia’s progress and modernity, alongside its enduring identity and grandeur.

The Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, with traffic streaming past it
Phnom Penh from the air, the city along a curve of the river
A bridge lit in colour at night, with the city’s towers behind
Rows of buildings in the warm evening light, seen from above
A pavilion of the Royal Palace, its golden roofs against a blue sky
Phnom Penh’s towers against the setting sun

ទិដ្ឋភាពរាជធានីភ្នំពេញ

The view of Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh Vue du Ciel

Tents on a sandy riverbank lined with trees
A long bamboo bridge crossing the river
Houses along a waterway through green wetlands, from the air
Longboats racing on the river below the city’s towers
A sandy island in the river, with its trees, from the air

ទន្លេមេគង្គ

Mekong River

Fleuve Mékong

The exhibition’s 200 riel specimen note, printed with the roof of Techo International Airport
SPECIMEN / គំរូ មិនមែនជារូបិយប័ណ្ណពិតប្រាកដ

Cambodian Riel

The Khmer riel is Cambodia’s national currency and a symbol of sovereignty. Introduced in 1955 after independence, it replaced the Indochinese piastre. Money was abolished under the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979, and the riel was reintroduced on 20 March 1980. Today, it remains Cambodia’s official currency, circulating alongside the U.S. dollar.

Exchange Rate

Taux de change

CurrencyUnit
KHR Cambodian Riel4,000
USD US Dollar1
EUR Euro0.86

Exchange rate shown for illustrative purposes only. Actual rates may vary daily.

National Bank of Cambodianbc.gov.kh (opens in a new tab)
Amok in banana-leaf cups, on a woven tray with herbs and spices
Rice noodles in a yellow curry with herbs
A vegetable soup scattered with toasted rice
A dip surrounded by fresh vegetables and flowers
A chilli dip with cucumber, carrot, lime and herbs

ម្ហូបខ្មែរ

Khmer Food

Cuisine Khmère