Facts and statistics on Cambodia including history, population, politics, geography, economy, religion and climate

Map of Cambodia. Source: Graphic

Potted history of the country: The Khmer empirestretched over south-east Asia from the 9th to the 15th century. Overthe next four centuries, it was variously under Thai or Vietnameserule, with short periods of independence in between. It became a Frenchprotectorate in 1863, and part of French Indochina in 1887, beforegaining independence in 1953. After a five-year civil war, the KhmerRouge, led by Pol Pot, won power and evacuated the cities, sending thepopulation to work in the countryside. An estimated 1.7 millionCambodians died in Pol Pot's "killing fields". Peace was finallyre-established in 1991, with the United Nations given a mandate toenforce the ceasefire.

...................................................................

At a glance

Location: Indo-Chinese peninsula

Neighbours: Laos, Thailand, Vietnam

Size: 69,898 square miles

Population: 14,655,950 (65th)

Density: 209.7 people per square mile

Capital city: Phnom Penh (population 1,466,000)

Head of state: King Norodum Sihamoni

Head of government: Prime minister Hun Sen

Currency: Riel

Time zone: Cambodian standard time (+7 hours)

International dialling code: +855

Website: cambodia.gov.kh

Data correct on Monday 20 April 2009

...................................................................

Political pressure points: The prime minister, HunSen, has been in office since 1985. No stranger to controversy, theformer Khmer Rouge cadre seized power from his co-prime minister,Prince Ranariddh, in a coup that brought renewed fighting. Hisincreasing authoritarianism and corrupt capitalism has led to streetclashes over sales of prime land to overseas investors.

Population mix: Khmer 95%; other 5% (Chinese, Vietnamese, Cham and smaller ethnic groups)

Religious makeup: Buddhist 93%, Muslim 3%, Christian 2%

Main languages: Khmer, Vietnamese, Chinese

Living national icons: Chhim Sothy (artist), Preap Sovath (singer), Eh Phoutong (kickboxer)

Landscape and climate: Cambodiahas a long Gulf of Thailand coastline. Inland, its major features arethe Tonlé Sap - the largest freshwater lake in south-east Asia - whichexpands and shrinks dramatically each year, and the Mekong river, whichflows 300 miles through the country. Most Cambodians live along therich alluvial plains flooded during the monsoon between May and October.

Highest point: Phnum Aora,l 1,810 metres

Area covered by water:  1,745 square miles

Healthcare and disease: One of the world's poorest countries, although its rate of HIV/Aidsinfection has improved in recent years. The risks from dengue fever,malaria and Japanese encephalitis are extremely high, along withwaterborne diseases such as hepatitis A and typhoid. Many Cambodianchildren suffer from malnutrition.

Average life expectancy: 56/61

Average number of children per mother: 3.3

Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births: 540

Infant deaths per 1,000 births: 82

Adults HIV/Aids rate: 1.3%

Doctors per 1,000 head of population: 0.2

Adult literacy rate: 76.3% (m 85.8%/f 67.7%)

Economic outlook: Dependent on garment exports, booming tourism and foreign investmentfor construction, it is destined for a sharp slowdown. Estimatessuggest GDP may grow just 1% this year, down from about 7%.

Main industries: Plywood, electric energy, cigarettes

Key crops/livestock: Rice, manioc, maize, sugar cane, banana, pigs, cattle, buffaloes

Key exports: Rubber, clothing, rice

GDP: £3,707m (119th)

GDP per head: £261

Unemployment rate: 7.1%

Proportion of global carbon emissions: 0.01%

Most popular tourist attractions: Temples of Angkor Wat, and the ruins of the ancient capital Koh Ker.

Local recommendation: Beng Mealea a 12th-century temple built to the same design as AngkorWat. It is 50 miles north of the original complex, but a world awayfrom the hordes of tourists thronging its famous cousin.

Traditional dish: Amok (curry, usually made with fish, containing coconut milk and turmeric)

Foreign tourist visitors per year: 1,421,615

Media freedom index: 126

Did you know ... Before ascending the throne, King Sihamoni was a classical dance instructor.

National anthem:

Temples are asleep in the forest

Remembering the splendour of Moha Nokor

Like a rock, the Khmer race is eternal.

· Information correct on date of first publication, Monday 20 April 2009.

Source: www.guardian.co.uk