CAMBODIA GEOGRAPHY
Cambodia, a country in Southeast Asia in the southern
part of Indochina, covers an area of 181,035 square
kilometers and has a population of 13,124764 million
(2003 est.). The country's shape is an almost-square
polygon, with Kampong Thom Province as its central
point. The country extends 440 kilometers from north to
south and 560 kilometers from west to east. This shape
makes Cambodia easy for tourists to navigate and poses
no difficulties for the development of tourism.
Among the 10 member countries of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Cambodia ranks eight in
land size and seventh in population. Its geographical
location makes Cambodia an easily accessible eco-tourism
destination for travelers in neighboring countries and
other parts of the world.
The country is situated geographically between the
10th and 15th parallels north latitude and the 102th and
108th parallels east latitude.
Boundaries of the Country
The borders of Cambodia encompass 2,600 kilometers of
which five-sizths are land and one-sixth is costal
border.
Land Boundaries
The Kingdom of Cambodia is bounded on the northeast
by the people's Democratic Republic of Laos, on the east
and southeast by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and
on the west and northwest by the Kingom of Thialand.
Coastal Boundary
The coastal boundary of Cambodia is 440 kilometers
with medium depth tropical sea, rich in aquatic
creatures that are good for aquatic business. In
addition, there are beautiful, uninhabited islands,
virgin beaches, white sand and fresh air, which are also
good for touism.
Topography of Land
Cambodia's land surface is deep and plain at the
middle since it is surrounded by mountain and plateaus.
In the southwest lies the coastal area.
As regards tourism development, Cambodia is
classified by four types of topography:
Plain Area
This area covers 25,069 square kilometers. The total
population of the plain area is 5,898,305 or about 51.6
percent of the entire population, and the population
density is 235 persons per square kilometer, according
to the 1998 census. This area consists of 63 districts,
700 communes and 6,414 villages. The capital city of
Phnom Penh, as well as Kandal, Kampong Cham, Svay Riend,
Prey Veng and Takeo provinces are located in this area.
The plain area is the most crowded inhabited by many
races of people including Khmer, Chinese, Vietnamese,
Cham, Thai, Lao and Westerners. Minority groups
including Kuoy and Steang also live in the Krek and
Memut distric in Kompong Cham province.
Surrounded Great Lake Tonle Sap Area
This area covers 67,668 square kilometers. the total
population of the surrounding Great Lake Tonle sap area
is 3,505,448 or about 30.7 percent of the entire
population of Cambodia, and the population density is 57
persons per square kilometer, according to the 1998
census. It consists of 60 districs, 488 communes and
4,041 villages. The area includes Kampong Thom, Siem
Reap, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Pursat, Kampong
Chhnang and Oddar Meanchey provinces and Pailin city.
The surrounding Tonle Sap area is inhabited by many
races of people, including Khmer, Chinese, Vietnamese
and Cham. In addition, there are a number of minority
hill tribes such as Sa Och, Steang and Samre, who
inhabit the mountainous area.
Coastal Area
Cambodia's coastal area covers 17,237 square
kilometers. The total population living in the coastal
area is about 845,000 people, or about 49 persons per
square kilometer, according to the 1998 census. It
consists of 21 districts, 152 communes and 705 villages.
The area includes Sihanoukville, Kampot and Koh Kong
provinces, and Kep city. All lie along Cambodia's
southwestern coast, which is 440 kilometers long.
Sihanoukville is the mid point of the coastal area. It
is 232 kilometers from Phnom Penh.
About 80 percent of the population of the coastal
area is Khmer, although Cham, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai
and ethnic minorities such Sa Och also live here. Most
of people living along the coast have a good life. They
earn their living by farming and fishing.
The topography of Cambodia's coastal area is
mountainous, plateau, plain, coast, seaside and gulf.
There is much sand in this area. Palm oil, rubber,
coconuts, pepper, durian and other crops can be grown in
this area. It is also rich in vaieties of mangrove.
The total length of the Cambodian coastal area has
been disputed over the year. The generally accepted
length is 440 kilometers, although a 1997 survey by the
DANIDA organization set the length at 435 kilometers,
while the Oil Authority in 1973 determined the coast to
be 450 kilometers long. In Cambodian schools, however,
the 440 kilometer figure is used.
Cambodia's gulf, which divides the country from the
Malacca subcontinent, is not very deep, averaging only
50 meters. The maximum depth is 81 meters. The bottom is
plain.
There are 60 islands in Cambodia's coastal waters.
They include 23 in Koh Kong province, 2 in Kampot
province, 22 in Sihanoukville and 13 in Kep city.
Plateau and Mountainous Area
This area covers 68,061 square kilometers. The total
population of mountainous and plateau region is
1,189,042 or about 10.3 percent of the country's entire
population, and the population density is 17 persons per
square kilometer, according to the 1998 census. It
consists of 39 districts, 283 communes and 2,246
villages. The area includes Kampong Speu, Kratie, Stung
Treng, Preah Vihear, Rattanakiri, and Mondulkiri
provinces.
The mountainous and plateau region is inhabited by
many races of people, including Khmer, Chinese,
Vietnamese, Laotian, and Thai. In addition, there are 18
minority groups. They include Pnong, Steang, Kraol, Ro
Oung, Tumpun, Tmuon, Bruv, Smil, Kuoy, Ar Norng, Charay,
Kreung, Roder, Kha, Sa Och, Kachok, Kavet and Lun. Of
these minority groups, the Pnong are the largest,
comprising about 45 percent of the minority population.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
For many the name Cambodia (or Kampuchea as it was
formerly known) conjures images of war, famine, Pol Pot,
the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ and political
instability. True, these events have all been a part of
this nation’s history, and a number of the places you
will visit (particularly around Phnom Penh) are
reminders of Cambodia’s tragic recent past. However,
northwest of the capital near the town of Siem Reap,
visitors will see one of mankind's greatest
architectural achievements. The magnificent temples of
Angkor - of which Angkor Wat is the most famous – are
permanent reminders of the incredible skill and
dedication of the Khmer civilisation as it existed from
the ninth to the fourteenth centuries. Forgotten and
buried under dense jungle for hundreds of years,
restoration of this ‘lost city’ only began in 1908.
Angkor Wat is truly one of the great achievements of
human civilisation.
RESPONSIBILITY:
Information herein was correct at the time of
preparation, however the rapid development of tourism in
Cambodia has the potential to make some of the
information in this guide irrelevant. This information
is intended as a guide only and New Sai Travel is not
responsible for any inaccuracies. This document does
not, in any way, alter the booking terms and conditions
in our small group journey brochure. Please contact us
with your comments if you find during the course of your
travels that the information in this guide is incorrect
or out of date.
VISA INFORMATION & DEPARTURE TAXES:
Getting your Cambodian visa is a simple and
efficient process. Tourist visas for most nationalities
can be obtained on arrival at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap
airport and the following point of entry.
Cambodia-Vietnam border
- Bavet International Check Point
- Kha Orm Sam Nor International Check Point
Cambodia-Thailand border
- Cham Yeam International Check Point
- Poi Pet International Check Point
- O’Smach International Check Point
Application for an entry visa requires:
- A completed visa application form
- Passport valid at least further 4 months
- One recent photograph (4x6)
- Appropriate visa fee
- Supporting documents for business and official visas
Donwload Visa Application Form
Visa fees
- USD20 for Tourist visa
- USD25 for Business visa
Diplomatic, Official, Courtesy and Special (Cambodian
national) visas are issued gratis.
Important: In order to be admitted into the country,
tourists need sufficient funds for their stay and a
return ticket.
Visa K
Visa K can be issued to a Cambodian national
entering the Kingdom on a foreign passport. (The
applicant has to provide well-documented evidence, such
as proof that one’s parents were Cambodian).
Visa Exemption
The nationals of the Philippines and Malaysia do not
need a tourist visa and many stay in Cambodia for 21 and
30 days respectively.
Visa extension
The tourist (T) and business (E) visas can be
extended at the Immigration Department, National Police.
The Diplomatic (A), Official (B) and Courtesy (C) visas
can be extended at the Consular Department, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
Note
A tourist visa can be extended only once for up to
one month (single entry). A business visa can be
extended for:
- One month (Single entry)
- Three months (Single entry)
- Six months (Multiple entry)
- One year (Multiple entry)
Ourstayers will be fined USD 5 per day.
ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS:
If you have arranged an arrival transfer you will
find a representative from New Sai Travel waiting to
meet you outside the airport. Please look carefully for
a New Sai Travel sign with your name on it (not a hotel
sign). If you cannot see a sign with your name please
call our local office contact number (at the bottom of
this document and on your detailed itinerary) and our
duty officer will advise you what to do.
INSURANCE:
You must be comprehensively insured as a condition
of travelling with New Sai Travel. Insurance should
include coverage for personal accident, medical
expenses, baggage loss, and cancellation or curtailment
of your holiday. We will ask you to confirm your
insurance details as part of our travel registration
process at the start of your journey. If you do not have
appropriate insurance we will insist you obtain
insurance. We reserve the right not to provide the
services booked with us until insurance is purchased.
Note that travel insurance may be ‘attached’ to your
credit card, although usually such cover is effective
only if your travel arrangements have been purchased
with the card. Insurance cover from credit cards often
does not include payment of medical expenses. Please
check your policy carefully. You must have adequate
insurance to cover you in the event you suffer a medical
problem while travelling.
MONEY:
The official unit of currency in Cambodia is the
riel. Current approximate exchange rates are:
• Riel 6,700 equals 1GBP
• Riel 4,000 equals 1USD
• Riel 2,500 equals 1AUD
• Riel 2,500 equals 1CAD
• Riel 2,000 equals 1NZD
United States dollar cash is accepted everywhere and
can easily be used instead of riel. As you will
accumulate riel as change from payments you make in USD,
we recommend you change either nothing or very little (eg.
10USD) into riel upon your arrival in Cambodia. We
advise you to carry a mix of USD cash and travelers
cheques.
Please be aware that costs in Cambodia are
significantly higher than in neighboring Asian
countries. The cost of meals, transport, and shopping
often takes tourists by surprise. Credit cards (Visa and
Master card) can be used in only a limited number of
shops and restaurants in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. From
late 2005 a number of ANZ Royal ATMs were installed in
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Cash advances can also be
obtained using Visa and Master cards at exchange booths
and banks in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
CLIMATE:
There are two main seasons in Cambodia. From
November to March temperatures are slightly cooler with
little rain. From May to October, the rainy season,
average temperatures in the day range from 24 to 35
degrees Celsius. During this period it rains for a short
time in the afternoon, temple moats are full, the
scenery is greener, and there are fewer people at the
temples. Many people prefer to travel at this time of
the year.
BAGGAGE & CLOTHING:
Please ensure that your luggage is of a standard size
(preferably soft bags) as backpacks or soft cases are
only permitted on our journeys. It should be clearly
labelled and not exceed the airline’s own limitations.
Any flight booked through New Sai Travel (both domestic
and international) has a luggage limit of 20kg per
person. If you have made your own flight arrangements,
please check the luggage allowance directly with the
airline. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly
enforced and space on vehicles and trains is limited.
New Sai Travel is not responsible for any excess luggage
fees that may be incurred due to bags that exceed the
airline limitations. If you are doing a lot of shopping
during your travels, it may be necessary for you to
forward any excess to the city where your tour
concludes, or ship purchases directly home.
Keeping the amount of luggage you carry in check will
ensure your safety and comfort, and the comfort of your
fellow travelers. Please note you may be required to
carry your own luggage at times. Porterage is not
included in the cost of your journey. Please ensure you
pay porters around 1USD per person for carrying your
luggage. Should you wish to avoid such payments, please
carry and take responsibility for your luggage.
Comfortable casual clothes made of cotton are best in
tropical and semi tropical climates – packing one set of
smart casual clothes is advisable. Laundry services are
available throughout the country, although hotel laundry
costs can be expensive. We suggest you include:
• Flat walking shoes and sandals
• Hat & sunglasses
• Jumper/coat/thermals - if visiting in winter
• Bathers
• Money belt
• Raincoat or umbrella
• Basic first aid kit (see below)
• Insect repellent
• Alarm clock
• Small torch
• Swiss Army pocketknife
• Power adapter
• Women’s sanitary products
• Ear plugs and eye patches for the train
Please note that airlines insist all sharp items
(knives, scissors, nail clippers etc.) are packed in
your ‘check-in’ luggage.
ELECTRICITY :
The electrical standard in Cambodia is 220 volts at
50Hz. Electrical plugs of the two rounded pin type are
the most commonly required. You may want to bring a
small hair dryer – not all hotels provide one.
HEALTH:
Travellers to Cambodia should take precautions as
they would elsewhere in Asia. Some of the diseases known
to exist in Cambodia include malaria, hepatitis A and B,
typhoid, tuberculosis, Japanese encephalitis, dengue
fever, diphtheria, tetanus, and HIV/ AIDS. We recommend
you take adequate preventative measures to minimise your
risk of exposure to these health risks. We are a travel
company and we are not qualified to provide detailed
medical information appropriate to your individual
needs. We recommend you consult with your local doctor
or a specialist travel medical centre for up to date
health information on vaccinations and medicine for your
trip, at least one month prior to departure. Medical
facilities are limited throughout the country (even in
the capital Phnom Penh) compared to western standards.
We suggest you bring a simple medical kit. Your
doctor should advise you what to include, however as a
minimum we suggest you bring:
• Aspirin or paracetamol (for pain or fever)
• Antihistamines (for allergies and itches)
• Cold and flu tablets
• Something to stop diarrhea
• Something appropriate for nausea and vomiting
• Rehydration mixture (to prevent dehydration)
• Insect repellant
• Antiseptic and bandages
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Antibiotics (discuss with your doctor)
As part of our travel registration process at the
start of any journey with New Sai Travel, you will be
asked to declare any serious pre-existing medical
conditions or allergies.
FOOD/ WATER:
Cambodian cuisine is closely related to the cuisines
of neighbouring Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. There are
however, some distinctly Cambodian dishes. Rice is the
principle staple. Hot sour soup with freshwater fish is
a common dish, as is stir fried pork with morning glory
and lashings of fresh ginger. Breakfast is included each
day on our tours and is usually a buffet/ continental
style mix. You should only drink bottled water,
available everywhere for purchase.
TIPPING POLICY:
If you are happy with the services provided by your
local guides, drivers and your tour leader, a tip is
appropriate. While it may not be customary to you,
tipping inspires great service, and is an entrenched
feature of the tourism industry across New Sai Travel
destinations. As a general guide on Small Group or
Special Group Journeys, please allow 2USD to 3USD per
day per traveller for each of your local guide, driver
and tour leader. If your tour is private, please allow
3USD to 5USD per day per traveller for each of your
local guide and driver. Of course you are free to tip
more or less as you see fit, depending on your
perception of service quality and the length of your
trip. Should you be dissatisfied with the services
provided by your local guide, driver or tour leader,
please let us know.
SAFETY & SECURITY:
Touristed areas in Cambodia are safe by world
standards, but the usual commonsense safety precautions
should be adhered to. Tourists should stick to set
travel arrangements and avoid unknown areas. It is not
safe to walk the streets of Phnom Penh at night where
street lighting is poor. We recommend you keep jewellery
to a minimum, and leave items of value in your hotel’s
safety deposit box. Always keep a photocopy of your
passport, airline tickets and credit card numbers, and a
detailed record of your encashed travellers cheques.
POST & COMMUNICATION:
International mail generally takes seven to ten days
to reach its destination. Prices are equivalent to
western postal charges. Reverse charge (collect) calls
are not possible from Cambodia. International phone and
fax fees on LAN lines are expensive and vary between
4USD and 6USD per minute. In both Phnom Penh and Siem
Reap there are now numerous internet cafes providing
email services and internet phone call services. Using
these internet phone services is the cheapest way of
calling overseas (or locally).
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Print film, such as Kodak, Konika or Fuji is widely
available and costs approximately 4USD per roll.
Cambodia has good and fast processing facilities. A roll
of 24 exposures can be developed for approximately 4USD.
Slide film and Hi8/V8 video cassettes are not widely
available in Cambodia. The x-ray machines at all
airports are film-safe. There are now a number of photo
shops in Phnom Penh which can burn digital images on to
a disk.
HOTELS:
The hotels we use have private western style
bathrooms, hot water, air-conditioning, satellite
television, IDD telephones, laundry, and other
facilities. Generally they have swimming pools. Where
possible we endeavour at passenger request to
accommodate couples in double rooms. Please note however
that on occasions during your journey, this may not be
possible and a twin room will be provided.
Check in and check out times can vary but most hotels
in Cambodia require guests to check out by 12 noon and
do not allow check in until 2pm. Many hotels may allow
an earlier check in or later check out subject to
availability on the day.
MASSAGE SERVICES:
Many countries in Asia are deservedly renowned for
their massage techniques and the quality and value for
money of these services. Unfortunately, many massage
parlours including some in otherwise 'reputable' hotels
are also linked to the paid sex industry. We advise you
to check carefully before using massage services in
Asia.
TRANSPORT:
When travelling by road we generally use Toyota
Camry’s or air-conditioned minibuses. We always use the
best vehicles available. Larger vehicles are used for
bigger group sizes. Planes used on domestic routes are
generally modern and well-maintained. Sometimes
schedules change and this can result in alterations to
your flight times and tour arrangements. There is only a
limited railway network in Cambodia and use of the train
is not recommended for safety reasons.
TOUR LEADERS/ GUIDES:
Providing the group tour reaches a minimum of seven
passengers a western tour leader will guide your entire
journey through Cambodia. All our tour leaders have an
in-depth knowledge of Cambodia and an enthusiasm for the
country that is contagious. Your tour leader is your
link with Cambodia and is there to ensure the smooth
running of the trip. Your tour leader will also try –
wherever practicable - to cater for your individual
interests. Local English speaking guides also accompany
you on your tour. They impart local information about
history, customs and culture that can only come from
living in the area. Generally we have a different local
guide for each city or region we visit and so local
guides are usually only with the group for one to two
days.
LOCAL TIME:
Cambodia is:
• 7hrs ahead of GMT
• 3hrs behind Australian Eastern Standard Time
• 5hrs behind New Zealand
• 12hrs ahead of Canada Eastern Time
• 15hrs ahead of Canada Pacific Time
• 12hrs ahead of US Eastern Time
• 15 hrs ahead of US Pacific Time
GROUP DYNAMICS:
Our Small Group Journeys provide you with a good
balance of group activity and personal discovery.
Travellers need to be aware of certain personal
responsibilities when travelling with a group. Simple
things like being ready at agreed times and keeping to
schedule will ensure the smooth running of the program.
Furthermore, the traditions and culture of the country
you are visiting should be respected. Correct behavior
includes wearing the appropriate dress when visiting
religious sites and refraining from making comments or
acting in a manner that would be viewed as unacceptable
by your fellow group members or by the local people in
the country you are visiting. Please ask your tour
leader for further clarification of the issues mentioned
above.
LANGUAGE:
The official Cambodian language is Khmer and most
westerners will have a very difficult time trying to
understand written or spoken Khmer. French is sometimes
understood by the older generation but English is
becoming more widely spoken throughout the country,
especially in tourist areas.
IMPORTANT DATES AFFECTING TOURING, AND COMPULSORY
MEALS:
01 Jan 2006 - International New Year's Day: Public
holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as
will some businesses. The Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace
will likely be closed. Other touring will be unaffected.
07 Jan 2006 - Victory Day: Public holiday. Banks and
public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
08 Mar 2006 - International Women's Day: Public
holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as
will some businesses.
14-16 in Apr 2006 - Khmer New Year: Public holiday.
Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some
businesses. All sites in Siem Reap will be open. Some
sites in Phnom Penh will be open in the morning, and
closed in the afternoon. Siem Reap will be particularly
crowded during one week for new year-day.
01 May 2006 - International Labor Day: Public
holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as
will some businesses.
12 May 2006 – Visak bochear Day: Public holiday.
Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some
businesses.
13-15 May 2006 - King's Birthday: Banks and public
offices will be closed, as will some businesses. There
will most likely be crowds in Phnom Penh in the
afternoon, and this could affect traffic flow.
16 May 2006 - Royal Ploughing Ceremony: Public
holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as
will some businesses.
01 June 2006 - International Children's Day: Public
holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as
will some businesses.
18 Jun 2006 - Queen's Birthday: Public holiday. Banks
and public offices will be closed, as will some
businesses.
24 Sep 2006 - Constitution Day: Public holiday. Banks
and public offices will be closed, as will some
businesses.
21-23 Sept 2006 (dates yet to be announced) - Pchum
Ben's Day: Banks and public offices will be closed, as
will some businesses. There may be crowds of people in
the afternoon in Phnom Penh, and this may affect traffic
flow.
23 Oct 2006 - Paris Peace Accord: Banks and public
offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
31 Oct 2006 -Former King's Birthday (Norodom
Shihaknuk): Banks and public offices will be closed, as
will some businesses. There will most likely be crowds
in Phnom Penh in the afternoon, and this could affect
traffic flow.
09 Nov 2006 - Independence Day: Banks and public
offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
04-06 Nov 2006 - Water Festival: Public holiday.
Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some
businesses. There will be significant crowds during the
day and night, in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Public
holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as
will some businesses. The Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace
will likely be closed. Other touring will be unaffected.
10 Dec 2006 - Human Rights Day: Banks and public
offices will be closed, as will some businesses.
24 Dec 2006 - Christmas Eve: Not a public holiday -
no effect on touring. There will be compulsory dinners
at some hotels in Siem Reap.
31 Dec 2006 - International New Year's Eve: Public
holiday – banks and public offices will be closed, as
will some businesses. There will be compulsory dinners
at some hotels in Siem Reap.
• ‘Sideshow: Kissinger, Nixon and the Destruction of
Cambodia’, by William Shawcross – a comprehensive and
highly controversial account of the USA’s complicated
role in Cambodian political and military affairs in the
1960’s and 70’s.
• ‘First They Killed My Father’, by Loung Ung – One of
the better of a series of moving books about surviving
the killing fields war years.
• ‘The Gate’, by Francoise Bizot –True story of Francois
Bizot, the French ethnologist who was captured and
imprisoned by the Khmer Rouge. Eerie recounts of the
author’s interrogation sessions with Comrade Duch, the
man who would later become the head of notorious Tuol
Sleng concentration camp.
General
• ‘Gecko Tales’, by Carol Livingston, - A fine and
humorous read based on the author's experience covering
the United Nation's supervision of elections in the
early 1990s. Some astute comments about the role and
effectiveness of the United Nations and its
administrative, military, and support personnel.
• ‘River of Time’, by Jon Swain - One of the best
introductory reads into the trauma of the Indochina war
era. Swain writes of his personal experiences as a
journalist and resident in Phnom Penh and Vietnam, and
recounts some soul destroying stories from Cambodia's
lost decade, the 1970's. He was one of the last
foreigners to evacuate Phnom Penh in 1975, from the
grounds of the French embassy.
• ‘The Honorable Schoolboy’, by John Le Carre - Often
appearing under 'Laos' reading lists because of its
reference to the Constellation Hotel in Vientiane, this
book fits better with Cambodian titles for its dynamite
action account of the Khmer Rouge invasion of Phnom Penh
in April 1975.
• ‘National Geographic, May 1982’ - A series of
interesting articles on Cambodia which researched the
effects of the Khmer Rouge occupation on the temples of
Angkor.
History
• ‘A Brief History of Cambodia’ by David Chandler -
A heavy but highly detailed read for the person with an
avid or academic interest in Cambodian history, from its
early beginnings to the present. Consider reading the
chapter on Jayavarman VII (the 'temple builder') in
isolation from the rest of the book, for a good overview
of arguably the most significant of Angkor's kings.
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