Cambodia (Kampuchea)
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Name: Democratic Kampuchea Introduction: Kampuchea was formally called the Khmer Republic and before that Cambodia. It was a great kingdom of Khmer people till French took it over in 1863. During Second World War it came under Japanese occupation and was called Cambodia till it became independent in 1953. Later it took part in Vietnam’s war in 1969 and communist fighters made bases there and till 1982 it was controlled by Vietnam. The name Kampuchea is derived from kingdom of Kambuja or Kamboja which is a Sanskrit name of Kamboja, an early tribe from North India and is named after its founder Kambu Svambhuva. Location: South Eastern Asia, between Vietnam and Thailand. Borders: Gulf of Thailand in South, Vietnam in East and Southeast, Laos in Northeast and Thailand in West. Ethnic Group: Most of the Cambodians are Theravada Buddhists of Khmer extraction, some ethnic Vietnamese, Chinese and Muslims also live there. Religion: Buddhism (Theravada Buddhists) – 95% others - 5%. Terrain: Kampuchea is a low lying basin with Tonle Sap (Great Lake) in the centre, this Lancastrian plain formed by the Tonle Sap is the most distinctive feature of the Cambodia. Low mountains surround the basin except along the coast. Climate: Hot, Tropical Monsoon climate with two seasons rainy season from May to Oct with temperature upto 40 deg centigrade and very humid and dry season from Nov to April with temperature 25 – 35 deg centigrade. Area: 181,040 sq km Capital: Phnom Penh Currency: Riel (KHR) Language: Khmer is the official language English and French is also spoken there. Population: 14,971,000 (July 2006) Population Growth Rate: 1.78% (2006 est) Population below Poverty line: 40% Literacy: Total population – 73.65, male – 84.7% and female – 64.15. Life Expectancy: 59.29 years Internet TLD: .kh Calling Code: +855 Suffrage: 18 years of age Independence: In 1953 on 9 Nov from France. National Holiday: Independence Day – 9 Nov Constitution: Promulgated on 21 Sep in 1993. Government: Parliamentary, Representative, Democratic Monarchy Executive Branch: King is the head of the state and Prime minister is the head of the government. King appoints the Prime minister on the advise and approval of the National Assembly. Prime minister and his Ministerial appointees run the government. Legislative Branch: Legislative power is both with the executive and the two chambers of the Parliament, the National Assembly of Cambodia and the Senate. Judicial Branch: Supreme Council of the Magistracy and Supreme Court exercise judicial authority. Military Branches: Royal Cambodian Armed Forces include – Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy and Royal Cambodian Air Force (2005). Flag: It is the only flag in world which has an actual building in its design. It has three horizontal bands of blue on top, red with double width and blue with white three towered temple representing Angkor wat outlined in black in the centre of the red. Motto: "Nation, Religion, King" Anthem: Nokoreach Coat of Arm: It is Symbol of the Cambodian Monarchy consists of two mythical animals. Gajasimha (lion with an elephant trunk) on the left and Singha (lion) on the Right and they support two, five tiered parasols. In the centre there is Royal crown with a ray of light on the top. Beneath the crown 2 pedestal platters layered on top of the other with a sacred sword and the Khmer version of the symbol for Aum sitting on top. Phrase in Khmer language is written which means Kingdom of Cambodia. Economy: Agriculture is the main occupation of Kampuchea people. War devastated the economy so much that the country relied on external food to survive in the early 1980, s.Now the Per capita is increasing but it is still low as compared to other countries in this region. Lack of education and productive skills are hindrance in the economic growth particularly in the poverty stricken areas at countryside. About half of the country is covered with huge forests and it also has deposits of phosphate and iron ores. Countries economy depends on agriculture and tourism and 50% of the visitors arrive at Angkor wat. Exports: Rubber, clothing, timber, rice, fish, footwear and tobacco. Imports: Petroleum products, construction material, machinery, motor vehicles, gold, cigarettes and pharmaceutical products. |