Brief History

From 900 to 1400 AD the area that is now Cambodia was under the rule of the Khmer Kingdom. This society was very agricultural, and most citizens were farmers or craftsmen. In 1431 the capital of Cambodia was captured by the Thai people, causing the capital to be moved to Phnom Penh, where it is today. Cambodian power began to decline and in the 16th century, it became under loose control. The capital was conquered by the Thais once again in 1594. Being in-between the powerful countries of Vietnam and Thailand, Cambodia was invaded many times throughout the next centuries. In 1863 Cambodia became a protectorate of France and was under French colonial rule for 90 years. During World War II, Cambodia was occupied by Japan. In the 1970s, Cambodia became involved in the Vietnam War. After the War, things only got worse for Cambodia. The country was taken over by a group called the Khmer Rouge, led by a man named Pol Pot. The Cambodian people were forced into horrible work conditions and eventually, about one-fifth of the population was killed.

National Flag

The Cambodian flag is made up of three horizontal bands of blue and red. In the centre of the flag is an emblem of the Angkor Wat Temple. Cambodia is the only country that features a building on its flag design.

Geography

Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia and is bordered by Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Most of Cambodia is made up of a low-lying central plain which is surrounded by uplands and low mountains. The largest body of water in Cambodia is Tonle Sap, which is also the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.

 

World Land Mass Ranking: 90th
Highest Mountain: Phnom Aural, 1, 813m.
Longest River: Mekong River, 4,350 km. (2,700 mi.)

 

Main Languages

Khmer.

Cambodia Population: 16.5 million (as of 2019)
Capital City: Phnom Penh
Capital City Population: 2 million (as of 2020)

Climate

Cambodia has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures year-round. There are two seasons in Cambodia, as a result of monsoon winds. From May to October, southwest monsoon winds result in a lot of rain. From November to March, milder winds from the northeast monsoon bring lower humidity and less rainfall.

Key People

• Pol Pot
• Sinn Sisamouth
• Norodom Sihamoni
• Loung Ung

 

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  Cuisine

  The cuisine of the people of Cambodia is called Cambodian cuisine. Khmer cuisine is the cuisine of the ethnic Khmer people. Both cuisines are an important part of Cambodian culture and lifestyle. The cuisine in Cambodia is also strongly influenced by neighbouring countries, especially Thailand. Staple foods in Cambodia include rice and freshwater fish. The national dish of Cambodia is amok trey, which is a fish curry custard steamed in banana leaves.

  The picture is a picture of Amok Trey, a popular Khmer dish.

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  Sports

  Martial arts are popular in Cambodia, including the traditional Bokator, pradal serey, and Khmer wrestling. In more recent years, football has become more common in Cambodia and is currently the most popular sport. Sepak takraw is a “kick volleyball” sport that is popular in Cambodia as well as other Southeast Asian countries. Other Cambodian sports include traditional boat racing, basketball, and rugby.

  The picture is a picture of a Bokator martial artist.

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  Culture

  The culture of Cambodia has been heavily influenced by India. Buddhism is the most prominent religion in Cambodia, and over 90% of the population is Theravada Buddhist. Art is an important aspect of Cambodian culture, including textiles, weaving, stone carving, and silversmithing. Other important elements of Cambodian culture include dance, music, and literature.

   

  The picture is a picture of The Royal Ballet of Cambodia.

   

  Cambodia is a beautiful country with wonderful people.

   

  Download questions about the Cambodia here: Cambodia (answers are on this page)

  Teachers. For more in depth work sheets on Cambodia. Click on Kidskonnect Worksheets

  For further reading and more info on the Cambodia visit https://kids.kiddle.co/Cambodia