Cambodia is a country in mainland Southeast Asia, set on the lower Mekong River and the great lake of Tonle Sap. Heir to the mighty Khmer Empire that built the temple complex of Angkor, one of the wonders of the world, it carries an extraordinary cultural legacy. That ancient grandeur stands in stark contrast to the horrors of the twentieth century, when the country endured one of the most brutal regimes in modern history.

Cambodia's golden age was the Khmer Empire, which from around the ninth to the fifteenth centuries dominated much of Southeast Asia from its capital at Angkor, building hundreds of temples including the vast Angkor Wat. After the empire declined, Cambodia became a smaller kingdom squeezed between powerful neighbours, eventually falling under French colonial rule. It gained independence in 1953, but was soon drawn into the wars of the region and, in 1975, into the catastrophe of the Khmer Rouge.

Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, built by the Khmer Empire in the twelfth century. Credit: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, built by the Khmer Empire in the twelfth century. Credit: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen (CC BY-SA 4.0).

A cherished founding legend tells that the Khmer people sprang from the union of an Indian holy man or prince named Kaundinya and Soma, a princess of the Naga, the divine serpents who ruled the watery land. The Naga king, the story goes, drank up the floodwaters to create the country as a dowry. The legend expresses the blending of Indian and local culture at the root of Khmer civilisation, but it belongs to myth rather than the documented historical record.

Cambodia is mostly a low, flat country centred on the basin of the Mekong River and the Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. In a remarkable natural rhythm, the Tonle Sap river reverses its flow each year as the monsoon swells the Mekong, vastly expanding the lake and flooding the surrounding forests, which makes it one of the richest inland fisheries on Earth. Low mountains rise along some of the borders, and the southwest meets the Gulf of Thailand.

Flag of Cambodia.
Flag of Cambodia.

The flag of Cambodia is distinctive as one of the only national flags to feature a building: a white image of the temple of Angkor Wat sits at the centre of a broad red band, framed by two blue bands. The depiction of Angkor Wat reflects the central place of that ancient monument in the nation's identity and pride, while the red and blue are traditionally associated with the nation and the monarchy.

Cambodia is overwhelmingly Buddhist, following the Theravada tradition that has shaped the country for centuries and remains central to daily life, marked by saffron-robed monks and ornate pagodas in every community. Before Buddhism, the Khmer Empire was strongly influenced by Hinduism, which is why Angkor Wat was originally built as a Hindu temple before becoming Buddhist. Small Muslim and other minorities exist, but the rhythm of Buddhist observance defines the country's spiritual life.

Cambodian, or Khmer, cuisine is subtle and fragrant, often milder than that of its neighbours. Rice is the staple of every meal, and freshwater fish from the Tonle Sap is central, both fresh and as the pungent fermented paste called prahok that flavours many dishes. A beloved national dish is fish amok, a delicate curry steamed in banana leaf. Fresh herbs, lime, and a balance of flavours give Khmer food its distinctive, gentle character.

Agriculture is the foundation of Cambodian life, employing a large share of the population. Rice is by far the most important crop, grown in the fertile floodplains and increasingly exported. The astonishing fishery of the Tonle Sap provides a vital source of protein for the nation. Rubber is a significant plantation crop, and the country also grows cassava, maize, and other produce. Much farming remains small-scale and dependent on the seasonal floods.

The Khmer Empire and the building of Angkor mark the heights of Cambodian civilisation. The darkest chapter came after 1975, when the communist Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot seized power and attempted to remake the country into an agrarian society, emptying the cities and carrying out mass killings, forced labour, and starvation in which around two million people, a quarter of the population, died. A Vietnamese invasion ended the regime in 1979, and the country has rebuilt slowly since.

The serene stone faces of the Bayon temple at Angkor Thom, a masterpiece of Khmer art. Credit: Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0).
The serene stone faces of the Bayon temple at Angkor Thom, a masterpiece of Khmer art. Credit: Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Cambodia has a population of around 17 million people, overwhelmingly ethnic Khmer, with Vietnamese, Cham, Chinese, and hill peoples among the minorities. The population is notably young, a demographic shaped in part by the loss of so many lives a generation ago. Most Cambodians live in the countryside along the rivers and around the great lake, though the capital, Phnom Penh, has grown rapidly as the centre of a recovering nation.

King Norodom Sihanouk, who led Cambodia to independence and dominated its politics for decades. Credit: Washington DC: Center of Military History (Public domain).
King Norodom Sihanouk, who led Cambodia to independence and dominated its politics for decades. Credit: Washington DC: Center of Military History (Public domain).