CAPITAL
Country official name: Kingdom of Cambodia “in Khmer: Preah Reacheanachak Kampuchea”
Phnom Penh.
SURFACE
- Superficie: 181,035 km2
- (2.5% covered by water)
GEOGRAPHY
located in Southeast Asia, Cambodia shares its borders with Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Siam Gulf. The largest part of the country, about 75%, is located in the basin of the Tonlé Sap and the Mekong lowlands. The landscape alternates between tropical rainforest and fertile land cultivated, irrigated by a dense fluvial network. The northeast of the country is mountainous.
POPULATION
15 million. Khmer 90%, Chinese 1%, Vietnamese 5%, the rest are Cham (Khmer Muslim) and hill tribes.
LANGUAGE
Khmer is the official language. English is widely used. French is still spoken by many elderly people, who attended the French school during their youth. Anyway, a guide is warmly recommended.
RELIGION
Buddhist Theravada 95%, remains is shared between animists, Muslims and Christian.
CURRENCY
The Cambodian currency is the Riel (KHR) 1US$ = about 4,000 riels. But the dollar is widely used in restaurants and shops, especially in the cities and tourist sites. So take dollars, you will not have to change.
CLIMATE
Cambodia's climate is dominated by monsoons, which are known as tropical wet and dry. The temperature varies between 21° and 35°C. In the mountainous regions, the average temperature oscillates between 14°C and 23°C. The rainy season runs from May to October, the dry season from November to March. April is generally very hot and humid. The moisture is relatively intense at night, sometime exceed 90%. During the day in dry season the humidity is up to 50% and to 60% during rainy season.
ELECTRICITY
220V AC, 50Hz. Power cuts are frequent. Most of the electrical outlets in hotels are double, round and flat, and can therefore accept appliances of European and American standards. If necessary, adapters are usually available at the reception.
TIME LAG
Local time is GMT+7 in winter and GMT+6 in the summer.
CREDITS CARD
Usable only in hotels, restaurants and shops (but between 2 and 5% of commissions will be deducted) and for withdrawals of money.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Le réseau de télécommunications comprend une couverture satellite, terrestre, mobile, Internet, radio et GSM (veuillez vérifier avec votre opérateur si la couverture « roaming » fonctionne). Il est autrement possible d’acheter une carte de téléphone via l’opérateur local Smart pour 2 USD qui donne droit à 30 minutes de conversation gratuite quotidiennement envers les numéros Smart et 4 centimes la minute vers la France.
VACCINATION AND HEALTH
We ensure all safety requirements during your trip, no vaccination is required. No vaccinations or malaria treatment is advisable, but as with any journey in tropical and developing countries, the usual vaccinations are recommended (tetanus, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, typhoid, hepatitis). Remember also to take a repellent against mosquitoes.
We ensure all safety requirements during your trip, no vaccination is required. No vaccinations or malaria treatment is advisable, but as with any journey in tropical and developing countries, the usual vaccinations are recommended (tetanus, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, typhoid, hepatitis). Remember also to take a repellent against mosquitoes
AIR TRANSPORTS
Cambodia has three international airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. So far, two domestic bonds exist, between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and between Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
MOTODUP/TUK TUK
Is the most popular and widespread to move in the city and the surrounding area. They are found everywhere, but you should always negotiate the price in advance!
Il est possible de louer un vélo ou une moto dans les grandes villes. Pour des raisons de sécurité nous le déconseillons FORTEMENT aux conducteurs inexpérimentés.
HELICOPTER
There are a few private helicopters, can be rented for panoramic flights or for transfers, particularly between Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and some of the islands of the coast.
BUS
Several bus companies provide services of very comfortable air-conditioned bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and other provincial capitals.
CYCLO
This is one of the conventional transportation. Becoming outdated nowadays, it is found the most on the tourist sites or in some provincial capitals.
RAILWAY
The railway network is in very poor condition and travel by train is long and uncomfortable. The lines are quite often interrupted for work. Currently only two rows are served: Phnom Penh <-> Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh <-> Sisophon (to Thailand). Trains run irregularly, especially during the weekend.
WATERWAY
Public boats provide transport between Phnom Penh <-> Siem Reap, Phnom Penh -> Kampong Cham -> Kratié -> Stung Treng, Siem Reap <-> Battambang and Phnom Penh <-> Vietnam.
SHOPPING
The quality of Khmer craft products is excellent. Silver jewelry, silk, cotton (especially the inevitable "krama", traditional scarf multipurpose), woodcarvings, stone, lacquer ware. Kampot pepper is considered the best in the world. Prices are rarely displayed and haggling is a must!
TIPPING
Much appreciated, salaries are not high (but it’s not mandatory at all).
VISA
An entry visa is required. It’s very easy to get it upon arrival at all land borders and airports. Tourist visa for one month costs 30US$ in cash. One photo (passport photo size) and at least 6 months passport validity is required too. The visa application form is distributed aboard the flights, or available at all land borders.
AIRPORT TAXES
Included in the international and national flight tickets.
INSURANCE
It is advisable to establish an international insurance against risks of illness or injury occurred abroad and, preferably, for repatriation in case of accident.