Cambodia like South Africa or China, is emerging from a period of history that it would be much like to leave behind. Although it has many problems to overcome, it is a country with interesting potential that is opening up to tourism and Western investment.
It is poised to become one of the most exciting travel destinations of South East Asia for the new Millenium. Thousands of tourists are expected to see one of the world's greatest monuments: the stupendous ruins of the great Khmer Empire of Angkor.

Bordered by Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, Cambodia covers a land area of 181,035 km2 with the Mekong running through and the Tonle Sap (Great Lake), as central to life as the Nile is to life in Egypt.

There are three mountainous areas: the south-west and its so-called "Elephant" and "Cardamon" mountains, along the northern border with Thailand fringed by "Dangkrek" mountains and the north-east corner, the Eastern Highlands. An estimated 75% of the total land area surrounding Tonlé Sap is fertile lowland. Much of the country is forested with tropical vegetation dominating the south-west mountains and mangrove forest lining the coast.
The climate is governed by two monsoons: the cool, dry north-eastern monsoon from November to March and the humid south-western monsoon from May to October. Average annual temperatures vary from 21 to 35 degrees Celsius.

The ideal months to be in Cambodia are December and January, when humidity is bearable and it's unlikely to rain. The wet season (from April to October) is very wet, but can be a good time to visit Angkor, surrounding by the lush countryside.

Cambodia's recent history has been one of appalling atrocities and sadness. The borders' conflict with Vietnam, the Pol Pot's Khmers Rouges taking power, a vicious civil war, all these successive nightmares begin only to end in 1989 with the collapse of Soviet Union. The reminders of those days are now firmly on the tourist's sightseeing, with the terrifying Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Choeung Ek and the Killing Fields.

However, Cambodia is above all a great former Empire, whom people created such magnificence as the stupendous Angkor temples' complex. The Angkor period (9th-13th centuries) concentrated the greatest and best of Cambodia's art and architecture, strongly influenced by Indian culture. This period is also one of the Khmer domination over all the South-East Asia peninsula. The scale and the beauty of Angkor temples show this glorious past for the joy of travelers.

The population of Cambodia topped more than 10 millions in 1996. The Khmers are the dominant group but there are significant Chinese and Vietnamese minorities as well as a small percentage of tribals groups.
Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion, as an easy-going faith and tolerated ancestor and territorial spirit worship.
Khmer is Cambodia's official language and can often prove difficult for foreigners. French was widely spoken by the intelligentsia before 1975 and is still spoken by few elderly Cambodians. English has recently surged in popularity, especially with the arrival of tourists.
Cambodia offers different mouthwatering food sensations, which remind a mix of Thai, Indian and Chinese cuisine. Travelers will discover the taste of coriander, mint and lemon grass - three flavours, which find their way into many Cambodian dishes. The French influence is seen in the bread, baked turtles and frogs legs which are sold in colourful markets.

There is a strong tradition of dance in Cambodia, which has its origins in the sacred dances of the Apsaras, the mythological seductresses of ancient Cambodia. Because of the importance of dance to the royal ancient Khmer court, music was and remains also central to Cambodian culture and religious life.
Thus, throughout the country, travellers can enjoy traditional folk dancing performances or shadow plays, also popular form of entertainment in the countryside.
The artisans of Cambodia, who rediscover the art and craft techniques of their ancestors, make beautiful reproductions of Khmer statues, prints and frescoes of Angkor. Kramas, elephants of all types, fabrics, silk, silverware, jewellery and other handicrafts can be found in the bustling markets of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.