Cambodia Essential Information, pupulation, area, languages, money, internet, telecommunication, public holidays..

Area
181,035 sq km (69,900 sq miles).

Population
14,800,000 (UN estimate, 2005).

Population Density
81.7 per sq km.

Capital
Phnom Penh.
Population: 1,169,800 (2005).

Government
Constitutional monarchy since 1993.
Head of State: King Norodom Sihamoni since 2004.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Hun Sen since 1998.
Recent history: The authoritarian, extreme-left KPK (Kanakpak Pracheachon Kâmpuchéa -Cambodian People's Party) remained in Government following the 2003 elections, suggesting 
that Cambodia was, to some extent, still dominated by an authoritarian regime hiding behind the veneer of democratic practice. Further symptoms of turbulence include the recent abdication of King Norodom Sihanouk in late 2004, who abdicated due to old age and frail health, but also, he claimed, because of the worry of more violence in a land still traumatized by Pol Pot's brutal rule in the 1970s, without a clear succession. This event diagnosed the nation's widespread and continuing fears and frictions. Last-minute legislation had to be administered since the constitution did not permit abdication and, eventually, the nine-member throne council appointed his son, Norodom Sihamoni, as the new King. King Norodom Sihamoni has vowed to remain politically neutral and open to ideas from all Cambodians. Only time will tell if the succession marks a new, more optimistic, era for Cambodia.
Legislative power belongs to the 120-member National Assembly, which is popularly elected for a term of five years. Executive power is vested in the Cabinet of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The King holds the post of Head of State.

Language
Khmer is the official language and spoken by 95 per cent of the population. Chinese and Vietnamese are also spoken. French was widely spoken until the arrival of the Pol Pot regime and is still taught in schools, but English is now a more popular language to learn among the younger generation.

Religion
90 per cent Buddhist (Theravada), the remainder Muslim and Christian. Buddhism was reinstated as the national religion in 1989 after a ban on religious activity in 1975.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz and two-pin plugs are in use. Power cuts are frequent. Outside Phnom Penh, electrical power is available only in the evenings from around 1830-2130.

Telephone
IDD is available to Cambodia. At present, outgoing international calls cannot be made. Country code: 855. Phnom Penh code: 23. Prepaid telephone cards are available in post offices, hotels and supermarkets for public phones around Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Mobile telephone
Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. GSM 900 and 1800 networks cover Phnom Penh.

Internet
Available in some areas. Internet cafes are available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Post
Airmail to Europe takes four to five days, and seven to 10 days to the USA. The Post & Telephone Office (PTT) in Phnom Penh is located across from the Hotel Monorom at the corner of Achar Mean Boulevard and 126 Street and is open 0700-1200 and 1300-2300. The main post office in Phnom Penh is located on the western side of 13 Street between 98 Street and 102 Street, open 0630-2100. General post office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1200 and 1430-1700.

MEDIA
Much of Cambodia's media depends on support from political parties. Press freedom is not guaranteed but President Hun Sen has declared his public support for press freedom. There are no restrictions on satellite dish ownership and neighboring foreign radio broadcasts are easily received. Press: The Phnom Penh Post (fortnightly), Cambodia Times (weekly) and Cambodia Daily are printed in English. There are also a few pro-Government dailies.
TV: Television National Television of Cambodia (TVK) is a state broadcaster; Aspara TV and TV3 are commercial stations; CTN, CTV9 and TV5 are private broadcasters.
Radio: The National Radio of Cambodia is a state broadcaster; FM 95 (operated by Bayon Radio and TV News Agency, Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP)), Radio FM 97 (operated by Aspara Radio and TV Radio) and Radio FM 103 are commercial broadcasters.

Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2006-June 2007 period.
Jan 1 2006:    New Year’s Day.
Jan 7:   Victory Day.
Feb 13:    Meak Bochea Day.
Mar 8:   Women’s Day.
Apr 14-16:   Cambodian New Year.
May 1:   Labor Day.
May 13:   Visaka Buja Day (Birth of Buddha).
May 13-15:    King Sihamoni's Birthday.
May 16:   Royal Ploughing Day Ceremony.
Jun 1:    International Children’s Day.
Jun 18:   Queen’s Birthday.
Sep 21-23:   Pchum Ben Day.
Sep 24:   Constitution and Coronation Day.
Oct 23:   Paris Peace Agreement.
Oct 30-Nov 1:   King Sihanouk’s Birthday.
Nov 4-6:   Water Festival.
Nov 9:   Independence Day.
Dec 10:    Human Rights Day.

Jan 1 2007:   New Year’s Day.
Jan 7:   Victory Day.
Feb:   Meak Bochea Day.
Mar 8:   Women’s Day.
Apr:   Cambodian New Year.
May 1:   Labor Day.
May 2:   Visaka Buja Day (Birth of Buddha).
May 13-15:    King Sihamoni's Birthday.
May:    Royal Ploughing Day Ceremony.
Jun 1:   International Children’s Day.
Jun 18:   Queen’s Birthday.

Note
The religious festivals are determined by the Buddhist lunar calender and are therefore variable. Public holidays falling on a Saturday or Sunday are carried forward to the following working day.

Contact Information:

Location
South-East Asia.

Time
GMT + 7.

Ministry of Tourism
3 Monivong Boulevard, Phnom Penh 12258, Cambodia
Tel: (23) 211 593 or 222 409.
Website: www.mot.gov.kh

Diethelm Travel (Cambodia) Ltd
No 65, Street 240, PO Box 99, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: (23) 219 151.
Website: www.diethelm-travel.com

First Choice Travel

Tel: 84-4-8726274

Website: www.viethoteltravel.com

Royal Embassy of Cambodia in the UK
Wellington Building, 28-32 Wellington Road, St John's Wood, London NW8 9SP, UK
Tel: (020) 7483 9063 or 9064 (consular section).
Website: www.cambodianembassy.org.uk

Royal Embassy of Cambodia in the USA
4530 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, USA
Tel: (202) 726 7742.
Website: www.embassy.org/cambodia