| Facts at a Glance |
| Area |
181,035 Square Kilometres
|
| Capital City |
Phnom Penh (pop.approx.1
million) |
| Population |
11.67 mil |
| Language |
Cambodia's official language
is Khmer. French is still taught in schools and universities.
English increasingly predominates. |
| Religion |
The official religion is
Theravada Buddhism, which is also practiced in neighboring
Laos, Thailand, Burma and Sri Lanka. |
| Climate |
Tropical Monsoon: Rainy
Season May-November. Dry Season December-April. |
| Local Time |
GMT +7 |
| Currency |
The Cambodian currency
unit is the Riel. Cash US dollars are universally accepted
however, with the equivalent change tendered in Riels.
(Exchange rates for currencies other than US dollars
can be disadvantageous) Only larger hotels and souvenir
shops accept credit cards. Money changers give a slightly
better rate than banks. Most banks open from 08.00 am
to 3.30 pm. Some banks also open on Saturdays. |
| Business Hours |
Government: Monday-Friday
07.30 am-5.00 pm; Shops:8.00 am-9.00 pm. |
| Postal Service |
Airmail to Europe takes
4-5 days, and to the USA 7-10 days. |
| Telephone |
Telephone and fax are available.
Country code: 855. Phnom Penh code: 23. Most big hotels
have IDD lines, but calls are expensive. Public phones
utilizing prepaid phone cards are now common in Phnom
Penh and Siem Reap with the cards on sale at the post
office, most hotels, and supermarkets. |
| Newspapers |
English dailies: The Phnom
penh Post and The Cambodia Daily.
Email/Internet: Internet-service and e-mail providers
are currently operating in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. |
| Electricity
supply |
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Large
hotels and businesses have generators. Outside cities,
electricity is available only in the evening from 1830-2130 |
| Local transport |
The most convenient way
to travel around the capital is by cycle (tricycle)
which costs roughly US$3 per hour or motodops (motorcycles).
Cruising taxis are not the norm. Domestic flights (note:
weight limit of 10 kg on luggage) connect major cities.
Public bus, boat and train travel are available. |
| Current Entry
formalities |
A one-month tourist visa
is available on arrival at Pochentong International
Airport and in Siem Reap Airport and all international
border checkpoints with Vietnam and Thailand for US$20.
Visas can also be issued at Cambodian Embassies or Consulates
abroad.Passport must be valid for at least six months
and requires one passport photo for visa application. |
| Tap Water |
Drink sealed bottled water
only |
| Medical |
No vaccinations required
for entry. A full supply of any personal medications
should be carrid with you. |
| Tipping |
Not obligatory but widely
practiced in hotels and restaurants in addition to the
service charges shown on bills. |
| Airport |
Journey time to town 10-15
minutes. A taxi cost around US$7. Motorcycle taxis can
also be hired outside the airport for US$ 1 |
| Airport Tax |
International US$20, Domestic
US$10. |
| Accommodation |
| There are more than 200
hotels throughout the country. International standard
hotels are available in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
Guesthouses are also available. Camping is not permitted.
Nightlife entertainment outside your hotel is available
at night time, but visitors are advised to go with a
guide or an experienced local person. |
| Photography |
Photography in airports,
inside the National Museum, some part of the Royal Palace
and near any military installations is forbidden, and
discretion should be used when photographing people,
particularly monks. |
| Car for rent |
Self-drive generally not
recommended. To hire a car or a van with a driver is
approximately US$20-50 per day. US$6-7 per day for motorcycle
(self-drive), US$1-2 per day for bicycle. Traffic drives
on the right |
| Emergency services |
There are emergency services
in Phnom Penh, call 119. Medical facilities and services
in Cambodia are significantly improving. |
| Tourist information |
Ministry of Tourism: Tel:
(855-23) |
| Security and safety |
The security situation
is stable for traveling to tourist areas, but visitors
are advised to contact local authority or tourist offices
when traveling outside major urban areas and tourist
sites. |
| Religion |
Shoes are generally removed
at the entrance to pagodas. For visits to the Silver
Pagoda, which is within the Royal Palace grounds, visitors
are asked to dress more formally. Gentlemen are required
to wear long trousers and ladies should wear long skirts
(long trousers are not acceptable). When visiting temples
or pagodas, including those of Angkor Wat, smart casual
dress is acceptable |
| Social |
Cambodians greet each other
by pressing their palms together in front of their bodies
and bowing. This is called a Sompeah, with the younger
or lower ranked person normally initiating the gesture.
The western handshake is acceptable when greeting or
being introduced to Cambodian people. Like most South
East Asian countries, it is importance to dress neatly
and modestly, and act in a quiet, calm manner. Generally
speaking, guests will be judged by behaviour and general
appearance, not by diplomas or personal wealth. It is
considered rude to point feet, particularly the soles,
towards a person or things, so tuck them away when sitting
on the floor or on a chair. The head is regarded as
the highest part of the body; avoid touching any person
there even in a friendly manner. In difficult situations,
display of bad temper, especially in public, will make
a bad situation worse. When taking photographs of people,
always request their permission especially monks and
hill tribe villagers. |
