Cambodia
Kingdom of CambodiaPreahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation)
multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchyIndependence 9 November 1953 (from France)
Cambodia as the 2008 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 133 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863 and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953.
In April 1975, after a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war.
The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability.
The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the remaining Khmer Rouge leaders are awaiting trial by a UN-sponsored tribunal for crimes against humanity. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed. In October 2004, King SIHANOUK abdicated the throne due to illness and his son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI, was selected to succeed him. Local elections were held in Cambodia in April 2007, and there was little in the way of pre-election violence that preceded prior elections. National elections are scheduled for July 2008.
Geography
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos
20 fieldsLand useshare of 181,040 sq km
Climate
- tropical;
- rainy, monsoon season (May to November);
- dry season (December to April);
- little seasonal temperature variation
Natural resources
oil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- total:
- 4.08 cu km/yr (1%/0%/98%)
- per capita:
- 290 cu m/yr (2000)
Environment - current issues
- illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries);
- soil erosion;
- in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water;
- declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing
Environment - international agreements
- party to:
- Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
- signed, but not ratified:
- Law of the Sea
People
22 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2008 est.)
Note
Per 1,000 population(2008 est.)
Male · female
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.04 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.02 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.94 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.6 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Major infectious diseases
- degree of risk:
- very high
- food or waterborne diseases:
- bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
- vectorborne diseases:
- dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008)
Government
Multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy; King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004); Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985) [co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997]
18 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
National Assembly, 57 seats, elected 27 July 2008one dot, one seat
Percent of vote
Country name
- conventional long form:
- Kingdom of Cambodia
- conventional short form:
- Cambodia
- local long form:
- Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation)
- local short form:
- Kampuchea
- former:
- Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia
Capital
- name:
- Phnom Penh
- geographic coordinates:
- 11 33 N, 104 55 E
- time difference:
- UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
20 provinces (khaitt, singular and plural) and 4 municipalities* (krong, singular and plural)
- provinces:
- Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Pouthisat, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev
- municipalities:
- Keb, Pailin, Phnum Penh (Phnom Penh), Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville)
Legal system
- primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of customary law and remnants of communist legal theory;
- increasing influence of common law;
- accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004)
- head of government:
- Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985) [co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997];
- Permanent Deputy Prime Minister MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008);
- Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992);
- SOK AN, TEA BANH, HOR NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004);
- BIN CHHIN (since 5 September 2007);
- KEAT CHHON, YIM CHHAI LY (since 25 September 2008)
- cabinet:
- Council of Ministers in theory appointed by the monarch; in practice named by the prime minister
- elections:
- the monarch is chosen by a Royal Throne Council;
- following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king
Legislative branch
bicameral, consists of the National Assembly (123 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Senate (61 seats; 2 members appointed by the monarch, 2 elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by parliamentarians and commune councils; members serve five-year terms)
- elections:
- National Assembly - last held 27 July 2008 (next to be held in July 2013); Senate - last held 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011)
- election results:
- National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 58%, SRP 22%, others 20%;
- seats by party - CPP 90, SRP 26, others 7;
- Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 69%, FUNCINPEC 21%, SRP 10%;
- seats by party - CPP 45, FUNCINPEC 10, SRP 2
Judicial branch
Supreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts) exercises judicial authority
Political parties and leaders
- Cambodian People's Party or CPP [CHEA SIM];
- National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [KEV PUT REAKSMEI];
- Norodom Ranariddh Party or NRP [Norodom RANARIDDH];
- Sam Rangsi Party or SRP [SAM RANGSI]
Political pressure groups and leaders
- Cambodian Freedom Fighters or CFF;
- Partnership for Transparency Fund or PTF (anti-corruption organization);
- Students Movement for Democracy;
- The Committee for Free and Fair Elections or Comfrel
- other:
- human rights organizations; vendors
International organization participation
ACCT, ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires MENG EANG NAY
- chancery:
- 4530 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 Carol A. RODLEY
- embassy:
- #1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
- mailing address:
- Box P, APO AP 96546
- telephone:
- [855] (23) 728-000
- FAX:
- [855] (23) 728-600
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 note: only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its design
Economy
From 2001 to 2004, the economy grew at an average rate of 6.4%, driven largely by an expansion in the garment sector and tourism.
47 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(2007 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
Electricity
Economy - overview
From 2001 to 2004, the economy grew at an average rate of 6.4%, driven largely by an expansion in the garment sector and tourism. The US and Cambodia signed a Bilateral Textile Agreement, which gave Cambodia a guaranteed quota of US textile imports and established a bonus for improving working conditions and enforcing Cambodian labor laws and international labor standards in the industry.
With the January 2005 expiration of a WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, Cambodia-based textile producers were forced to compete directly with lower-priced producing countries such as China and India. Better-than-expected garment sector performance led to more than 9% growth in 2007.
Its vibrant garment industry employs more than 350,000 people and contributes more than 70% of Cambodia's exports. The Cambodian government has committed itself to a policy supporting high labor standards in an attempt to maintain buyer interest. In 2005, exploitable oil and natural gas deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, representing a new revenue stream for the government if commercial extraction begins.
Mining also is attracting significant investor interest, particularly in the northeastern parts of the country, and the government has said opportunities exist for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems. In 2006, a US-Cambodia bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) was signed and the first round of discussions took place in early 2007.
The tourism industry continues to grow rapidly, with foreign arrivals reaching 2 million in 2007. In 2007 the government signed a joint venture agreement with two companies to form a new national airline. The long-term development of the economy remains a daunting challenge. The Cambodian government is working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs.
The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance. More than 50% of the population is less than 21 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure.
Industries
tourism, garments, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles
Imports - commodities
petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products
Exchange rates
riels (KHR) per US dollar - 4,006 (2007), 4,103 (2006), 4,092.5 (2005), 4,016.25 (2004), 3,973.33 (2003)
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- mobile-phone systems are widely used in urban areas to bypass deficiencies in the fixed-line network;
- fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage, aided by increasing competition among service providers, is increasing and stands at nearly 20 per 100 persons
- domestic:
- adequate landline and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; mobile-phone coverage is rapidly expanding in rural areas
- international:
- country code - 855;
- adequate but expensive landline and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and major provincial cities;
- satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2007)
Television broadcast stations
9 (including 2 TV relay stations with French and Vietnamese broadcasts); excludes 18 regional relay stations (2006)
Transportation
9 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right
Networkskm
Merchant marine
- total:
- 626
- by type:
- bulk carrier 41, cargo 530, carrier 3, chemical tanker 10, container 8, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 11, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1
- foreign-owned:
- 467 (Canada 2, China 193, Cyprus 7, Egypt 13, Gabon 1, Greece 3, Hong Kong 8, Indonesia 2, Japan 1, South Korea 22, Latvia 1, Lebanon 8, Netherlands 1, Romania 1, Russia 83, Singapore 4, Syria 48, Taiwan 1, Turkey 26, Ukraine 34, UAE 2, US 6) (2008)
Military
Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2008)
6 fieldsMilitary branches
Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2008)
Military service age and obligation
conscription law of October 2006 requires all males between 18-30 to register for military service; 18-month service obligation (2006)
Manpower available for military service
- males age 16-49:
- 3,759,034
- females age 16-49:
- 3,784,333 (2008 est.)
Transnational Issues
2 fieldsDisputes - international
- Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary with missing boundary markers and claims of Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory;
- maritime boundary with Vietnam is hampered by unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands;
- Thailand accuses Cambodia of obstructing inclusion of Thai areas near Preah Vihear temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962, as part of a planned UN World Heritage site
Illicit drugs
- narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police;
- limited methamphetamine production;
- vulnerable to money laundering due to its cash-based economy and porous borders
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Cambodia.” The World Factbook 2008. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cambodia/2008.