Cambodia
Cambodia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a Southeast Asian country bordered by Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and the Gulf of Thailand.
Khmer Empire: A Southeast Asian empire centered in Cambodia that flourished from the ninth to fifteenth centuries. Its rulers built Angkor and shaped the region’s enduring Khmer political and religious traditions.
Angkor Wat: A temple complex in Cambodia built in the twelfth century under the Khmer Empire. It is Cambodia’s best-known monument and appears on the national flag.
Khmer language: The official language of Cambodia and the largest member of the Mon-Khmer language family. It is the shared national language across Cambodia’s diverse communities.
Phnom Penh: The capital and largest city of Cambodia, located where the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers meet. It is the country’s political, economic, and cultural center.
Southeast Asia: A region of Asia comprising mainland and island countries between China, India, and Australia. Cambodia’s geography and history place it within mainland Southeast Asia.
French protectorate of Cambodia: A period from 1863 to 1953 when Cambodia was under French protection and colonial administration. French rule influenced Cambodia’s borders, administration, and route to independence.
Angkor Thom: A walled Khmer imperial city built in the late twelfth century near Angkor Wat. Its gates and Bayon temple preserve evidence of the Khmer Empire’s urban and religious life.
Theravada Buddhism: A major Buddhist tradition prevalent in Sri Lanka and mainland Southeast Asia. It has shaped Cambodian religious practice, education, and public ceremonies.
Cambodian riel: The official currency of Cambodia, used alongside the United States dollar in widespread cash transactions. Its role in daily commerce illustrates Cambodia’s distinctive dual-currency economy.
Thailand: A country in mainland Southeast Asia bordered by Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia. Thailand shares a land border and a long history of interaction with Cambodia.