Cambodia is a Southeast Asian kingdom on the Mekong, world-famous for the temple complex of Angkor Wat — the largest religious monument ever built — and a 20th-century tragedy under the Khmer Rouge.
Geography & landscape
Cambodia sits in South-Eastern Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 181,035 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Phnom Penh, lies near coordinates 13°, 105°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider South-Eastern Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Cambodia.
People & society
The population of Cambodia is around 17M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Khmer, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Cambodia is structured as a constitutional monarchy. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Phnom Penh, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel (KHR). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Phnom Penh and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Cambodia shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Cambodia through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Phnom Penh, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +855, and clocks are set to the ICT (UTC+7) time zone. ISO standards identify Cambodia as KH (alpha-2) and KHM (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇰🇭, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Phnom Penh | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | South-Eastern Asia | — |
| Population | 17M | people |
| Area | 181,035 | km² |
| Currency | Cambodian Riel (KHR) | — |
| Calling code | +855 | international dialling |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) | standard time |
| Government type | Constitutional monarchy | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | KH | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | KHM | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 13 | degrees |
| Longitude | 105 | degrees |
Did you know?
Angkor Wat is the largest religious building in the world by land area — covering more than 162 hectares of stone temples and moats.
