Cambodia

Kingdom of CambodiaPreahreacheanachakr Kampuchea

multiparty liberal democracy under a constitutionalIndependence 9 November 1949 (from France)

Cambodia as the 1998 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 99 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalPhnom Penh

Position13 00 N, 105 00 E

Area181,040 sq km

LocationSoutheastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between

Populationas each edition published it

11.34 million July 1998 est. · 6.99m in 1990

Population growth% a year

2.51% 1998 est. · 4.41% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 19.2 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

47.99 years 1998 est. · 49.06 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

5.81 children per woman 1998 est. · 4.5 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

106.76 deaths per 1,000 live births 1998 est. · 128 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$715 1997 est. · $280 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

1.5% 1997 est. · 7.5% in 1994

Geography

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between | Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos

18 fields

Land useshare of 181,040 sq km

arable land 13%permanent crops 0%permanent pastures 11%forests and woodland 66%other 10% (1993 est.)irrigated 920 sq km (1993 est.)

Area

181,040sq km

land: 176,520 sq kmwater: 4,520 sq kmslightly smaller than Oklahoma

Coastline

443km

contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm

Highest point

1,810m

Phnum Aorallowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m

Land boundaries

2,572km

border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos

Climate

tropical;
rainy, monsoon season (May to November);
dry season (December to April);
little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain

mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north

Natural resources

timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential

Natural hazards

monsoonal rains (June to November);
flooding;
occasional droughts

Environment-current issues

logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand are resulting in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries);
deforestation;
soil erosion;
in rural areas, a majority of the population does not have access to potable water

Environment-international agreements

party to:: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Marine Life Conservation, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified:: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping

Geography-note

a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap

People

15 fields

Population

11,339,562

(July 1998 est.)growth rate: 2.51% (1998 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1998 est.)

Birth

41.63Death

16.49Net migration

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (1998 est.)47.99

46.64 · 49.41

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (1990 est.)35%

48% · 22%

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups

Khmer 90%Vietnamese 5%Chinese 1%other 4%

Age structure

0-14 years:: 45% (male 2,611,684; female 2,533,313)
15-64 years:: 52% (male 2,729,598; female 3,119,579)
65 years and over:: 3% (male 142,836; female 202,552) (July 1998 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 0.87 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.7 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Infant mortality rate

106.76 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Cambodian(s)
adjective:: Cambodian

Government

Multiparty liberal democracy under a constitutional; King Norodom SIHANOUK (reinstated 24 September 1993); power shared between First Prime Minister UNG HUOT (since NA August 1997) and Second Prime Minister HUN SEN (since NA 1993)

20 fields

National Assembly, 120 seats, elected 23 May 1993one dot, one seat

FUNCINPEC 58CPP 51BLDP 10MOLINAKA 1

Country name

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Cambodia
conventional short form:: Cambodia
local long form:: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea
local short form:: Kampuchea

Data code

Government type

multiparty liberal democracy under a constitutional monarchy established in September 1993

National capital

Phnom Penh

Administrative divisions

20 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 3 municipalities* (krong, singular and plural);
Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb*, Kracheh, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Phnum Penh*, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu* (Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev

note: there may be a new municipality called Pailin

Independence

9 November 1949 (from France)

National holiday

Independence Day, 9 November 1949

Constitution

promulgated 21 September 1993

Legal system

currently being defined

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: King Norodom SIHANOUK (reinstated 24 September 1993)
head of government:: power shared between First Prime Minister UNG HUOT (since NA August 1997) and Second Prime Minister HUN SEN (since NA 1993);
note-former First Prime Minister Prince Norodom RANARIDDH deposed in July 1997 by forces loyal to HUN SEN
cabinet:: Council of Ministers appointed by the king
elections:: none;
the king is a constitutional monarch;
prime ministers appointed by the king

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:: last held 23 May 1993 (next to be held 26 July 1998)
election results:: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-FUNCINPEC 58, CPP 51, BLDP 10, MOLINAKA 1

note: the May 1993 elections were for the Constituent Assembly which became the National Assembly after the new constitution was promulgated in September 1993

Judicial branch

Supreme Council of the Magistracy, provided for in the constitution, was formed in December 1997

Political parties and leaders

National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC), Prince NORODOM RANARIDDH;
Cambodian Pracheachon Party or Cambodian People's Party (CPP), CHEA SIM;
Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party (BLDP), SON SANN;
Buddhist Liberal Party (BLP), IENG MOULY;
National Solidarity Party (also known as Democratic Kampuchea, also known as the Khmer Rouge), KHIEU SAMPHAN;
Movement Pour La Liberation Nationale Khmere (MOLINAKA), PROM NEAKAREACH;
Khmer Nation Party (KNP), SAM RANGSI

International organization participation

ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador VAR HUOTH
chancery:: 4500 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone:: [1] (202) 726-7742

FAX

[1] (202) 726-8381

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Kenneth M. QUINN
embassy:: 27 EO Street 240, Phnom Penh
mailing address:: Box P, APO AP 96546
telephone:: [855] (23) 216-436, 216-438

FAX

[855] (23) 216-437

Flag description

three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band

Economy

After four years of solid macroeconomic performance, | Cambodia's economy slowed dramatically in 1997 due to the twin shocks | of the regional economic crisis and the July violence and political | infighting.

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GDP, purchasing power parity

-$7.7billion

purchasing power parity · (1997 est.)

GDP per capita, PPP

-$715

purchasing power parity · (1997 est.)

Real growth rate

1.5%

(1997 est.)industrial production growth: 7% (1995 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

9.5%

(1997 est.)

GDP-composition by sector(1996 est.)

agriculture 47.3%industry 15.4%services 37.3% (1996 est.)

Budget

Revenues

$261 millionExpenditures

$496 million (1995 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA

Fixed lines

7,000

(1981 est.)

Economy-overview

After four years of solid macroeconomic performance, Cambodia's economy slowed dramatically in 1997 due to the twin shocks of the regional economic crisis and the July violence and political infighting. Economic growth fell from 6.5% in 1996 to 1.5% in 1997, foreign investment slowed, and tourism declined 16% from 1996 levels.

Despite these difficulties, inflation accelerated only slightly to 9.5%; the government managed to keep the national budget in balance even with increased expenditures on the military and police; and the economy ran a small balance of payments surplus. The future payments could be adversely affected by the currency crises in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, which tends to make Cambodia's exports more expensive at the same time imports from these countries become cheaper.

The long-term development of the economy after decades of war remains a daunting challenge. Human resource levels in the population are low, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside. The almost total lack of basic infrastructure in the countryside will continue to hinder development.

Recurring political instability hinders foreign investment. Corruption and inexperience among Cambodia's government officials will serve as a further drag on the economy.

Labor force

2.5 million to 3 million; by occupation: agriculture 80% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Industries

rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles

Electricity-capacity

35,000 kW (1995)

Electricity-production

190 million kWh (1995)

Electricity-consumption per capita

18 kWh (1995)

Agriculture-products

rice, rubber, corn, vegetables

Exports

total value:: $615 million (1996 est.)
commodities:: timber, garments, rubber, soybeans, sesame
partners:: Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, US

Imports

total value:: $1 billion (1996 est.)
commodities:: cigarettes, construction materials, petroleum products, machinery, motor vehicles
partners:: Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia

Debt-external

$2.2 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid

recipient: ODA, $NA note: international donors pledged a total of $1.8 billion in 1995 and 1996

Currency

1 new riel (CR) = 100 sen

Exchange rates

riels (CR) per US$1-3,537.0 (January 1998), 2,946.3 (1997), 2,624.1 (1996), 2,450.8 (1995), 2,545.3 (1994), 2,689.0 (1993)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications

Telephone system

service barely adequate for government requirements and virtually nonexistent for general public

domestic:: NA
international:: landline international service limited to Vietnam and other adjacent countries; satellite earth station-1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 10, shortwave 0

Radios

Television broadcast stations

Televisions

800,000 (1996 est.)

Transportation

9 fields

Merchant marine, 87 ships by typeone square, one ship · ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 390,566 GRT/556,743 DWT

bulk 10cargo 66container 2livestock carrier 2oil tankers 3refrigerated cargo 1roll-on/roll-off cargo 3note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 7 countries: Aruba 1, Cyprus 8, Egypt 1, South Korea 1, Malta 1, Panama 1, Russia 5 (1997 est.)

Networkskm

Highways

35,769Railways

603

Highways: paved: 4,165 km · unpaved: 31,604 km (1997 est.) · Railways: narrow gauge: 603 km 1.000-m gauge

Railways

total:: 603 km
narrow gauge:: 603 km 1.000-m gauge

Highways

total:: 35,769 km
paved:: 4,165 km
unpaved:: 31,604 km (1997 est.)

Waterways

3,700 km navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 m; 282 km navigable to craft drawing 1.8 m

Ports and harbors

Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville), Kampot, Krong Kaoh Kong, Phnom Penh

Airports

20 (1997 est.)

Airports-with paved runways

total: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1997 est.)

Airports-with unpaved runways

total: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 10 (1997 est.)

Heliports

3 (1997 est.)

Military

7 fields

Military branches

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF)-created in 1993 by the merger of the Cambodian People's Armed Forces and the two noncommunist resistance armies note: there are also resistance forces comprised of the Khmer Rouge (also known as the National United Army or NUA) and a separate royalist resistance movement

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes-international

offshore islands and sections of the boundary with Vietnam are in dispute;
maritime boundary with Vietnam not defined;
parts of border with Thailand are indefinite;
maritime boundary with Thailand not clearly defined

Illicit drugs

transshipment site for Golden Triangle heroin en route to West;
possible money-laundering;
high-level narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving government, military, and police;
possible small-scale opium, heroin, and amphetamine production;
large producer of cannabis for the international market CAMEROON

Central Intelligence Agency. “Cambodia.” The World Factbook 1998. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cambodia/1998.

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