Cambodia
Kingdom of CambodiaPreahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation)
multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchyIndependence 9 November 1953 (from France)
Cambodia as the 2012 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 155 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 surviving Khmer Rouge leaders have been tried or are awaiting trial for crimes against humanity by a hybrid UN-Cambodian tribunal supported by international assistance. 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 Norodom SIHANOUK abdicated the throne and his son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI, was selected to succeed him. Local elections were held in Cambodia in April 2007, with little of the pre-election violence that preceded prior elections. National elections in July 2008 were relatively peaceful.
Geography
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos
20 fieldsLand useshare of 181,035 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 and Society
30 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2012 est.)
Note
Per 1,000 population
Male · female
Religions(1998 census)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.04 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.01 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.93 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.6 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.94 male(s)/female (2011 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 (2009)
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]
21 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Senate, 123 seats, elected 4 February 2012one 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
23 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural)
- provinces:
- Banteay Mean Choay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb, Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Choay, Pailin, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanokiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev
- municipalities:
- Phnum Penh (Phnom Penh)
Legal system
civil law system (influenced by the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia) customary law, Communist legal theory, and common law
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
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 24 September 2008);
- KE KIMYAN (since 12 March 2009)
- cabinet:
- Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)
- elections:
- the king chosen by a Royal Throne Council from among all eligible males of royal descent;
- following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king
Legislative branch
bicameral, consists of 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) and the National Assembly (123 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
- elections:
- Senate - last held on 4 February 2012 (next to be held in February 2018); National Assembly - last held on 27 July 2008 (next to be held in July 2013)
- election results:
- Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 77.8%, SRP 22.2%;
- seats by party - CPP 46, SRP 11;
- National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 58%, SRP 22%, HRP 7%;
- NRP 6%;
- FUNCINPEC 5%;
- others 2%;
- seats by party - CPP 90, SRP 26, HRP 3, FUNCINPEC 2, NRP 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];
- Cambodian National Rescue Party or NRP [SAM RANGSI also spelled SAM RAINSY];
- National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [KEV PUT REAKSMEI];
- Nationalist Party or NP former Norodom Ranariddh Party or NRP [SAO RANY]
note: the NRP is a merger between the former Human Rights Party or HRP [KHEM SOKHA, also spelled KEM SOKHA] and the Sam Rangsi Party or SRP
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
ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CICA, CICA (observer), EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador HENG HEM
- 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 William E. TODD
- 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;
- red and blue are traditional Cambodian colors
note: only national flag to incorporate an actual building in its design
National anthem
- name:
- "Nokoreach" (Royal Kingdom)
- lyrics/music:
- CHUON NAT/F. PERRUCHOT and J. JEKYLL
note: adopted 1941, restored 1993; the anthem, based on a Cambodian folk tune, was restored after the defeat of the Communist regime
Economy
Since 2004, garments, construction, agriculture, and tourism have driven Cambodia's growth.
36 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(2012 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
Economy - overview
Since 2004, garments, construction, agriculture, and tourism have driven Cambodia's growth. GDP climbed more than 6% per year between 2010 and 2012. The garment industry currently employs more than 335,000 people and accounts for more than 75% of Cambodia's total exports. In 2005, exploitable oil deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, representing a potential revenue stream for the government, if commercial extraction becomes feasible.
Mining also is attracting some investor interest and the government has touted opportunities for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems. The tourism industry has continued to grow rapidly with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year since 2007. Cambodia, nevertheless, remains one of the poorest countries in Asia and long-term economic development remains a daunting challenge, inhibited by endemic corruption, limited educational opportunities, high income inequality, and poor job prospects.
Approximately 4 million people live on less than $1.25 per day and 37% of Cambodian children under the age of 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition. More than 50% of the population is less than 25 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the impoverished countryside, which also lacks basic infrastructure.
The Cambodian government is working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs; more than 50% of the government budget comes from donor assistance. 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.
Distribution of family income - Gini index
44.4 (2007 est.) · 40 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Central bank discount rate
NA% (31 December 2008) · 5.25% (31 December 2007) country comparison to the world: 69
Commercial bank prime lending rate
15.7% (31 December 2012 est.) · 15.22% (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 40
Stock of narrow money
$1.094 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $965.8 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Stock of broad money
$5.695 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $5.037 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Stock of domestic credit
$3.689 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $3.115 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Current account balance
-$1.508 billion (2012 est.) · -$1.158 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Imports - commodities
petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$3.732 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $4.069 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 102
Debt - external
$5.071 billion (31 December 2012 est.) · $5.03 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Exchange rates
riels (KHR) per US dollar - 4,075.4 (2012 est.) · 4,058.5 (2011 est.) · 4,184.9 (2010 est.) · 4,139 (2009) · 4,070.94 (2008)
Energy
23 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 390,900 kW(2009 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
3.59 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- adequate fixed-line and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities;
- mobile-cellular phone systems are widely used in urban areas to bypass deficiencies in the fixed-line network;
- mobile-phone coverage is rapidly expanding in rural areas
- domestic:
- fixed-line connections stand at about 4 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular usage, aided by competition among service providers, is increasing rapidly and stands at 92 per 100 persons
- 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) (2011)
Broadcast media
- mixture of state-owned, joint public-private, and privately-owned broadcast media;
- 9 TV broadcast stations with most operating on multiple channels, including 1 state-operated station broadcasting from multiple locations, 6 stations either jointly operated or privately-owned with some broadcasting from several locations, and 2 TV relay stations - one relaying a French TV station and the other relaying a Vietnamese TV station;
- multi-channel cable and satellite systems are available;
- roughly 50 radio broadcast stations - 1 state-owned broadcaster with multiple stations and a large mixture of public and private broadcasters;
- several international broadcasters are available (2009)
Transportation
9 fieldsMerchant marine, 544 ships by type
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Networkskm
Airports - with paved runways
total: 6; 2,438 to 3,047 m:; 3; 1,524 to 2,437 m:; 2; 914 to 1,523 m:; 1 (2012)
Railways
- total:
- 690 km
country comparison to the world: 101
- narrow gauge:
- 690 km 1.000-m gauge
note: under restoration (2010)
Military
Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2011)
6 fieldsMilitary branches
Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2011)
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:
- 3,883,724
- females age 16-49:
- 4,003,585 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues
2 fieldsDisputes - international
- Cambodia is concerned about Laos' extensive upstream dam construction;
- Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary;
- in 2011 Thailand and Cambodia resorted to arms in the dispute over the location of the boundary on the precipice surmounted by Preah Vihear temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962 and part of a planned UN World Heritage site;
- Cambodia accuses Vietnam of a wide variety of illicit cross-border activities;
- progress on a joint development area with Vietnam is hampered by an unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands
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 2012. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cambodia/2012.