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Cambodia (Kambodia)

Official name (from 1993) Kingdom of Cambodia, Khmer Preah Reach Ana Pak Kampuchea. Formerly Kampuchea (1975–89) and Khmer Republic (1970–5)


Local name Cambodia
Timezone GMT +7
Area 181 035 km²/69 879 sq mi
population total (2002e) 13 414 000
Status Kingdom
Date of independence 1953
Capital Phnom Penh
Languages Khmer (official), French
Ethnic groups Khmer (93%), Chinese (3%), Cham (2%)
Religions Theravada Buddhist (88%), Muslim (2%)
Physical features Kingdom in SE Asia. Crossed E by floodplain of Mekong R; Cardamom mountain range 160 km/100 mi across Thailand border, rising to 1813 m/5948 ft at Phnom Aural; Tonlι Sap (Greek Lake) in NW.
Climate Tropical monsoon climate, with a wet season (May–Sep). High temperatures in lowland region throughout the year; average annual temperature 21°C (Jan), 29°C (Jul); average annual rainfall 5000 mm/71 in (SW), 1300 mm/51 in (interior lowlands).
Currency 1 Riel (KHR) = 100 sen
Economy Most of population employed in subsistence agriculture, rice and corn; industrial development disrupted by the civil war.
GDP (2002e) $20·42 bn, per capita $1600
Human Development Index (2002) 0·543
History Originally part of Funan Kingdom, then part of the Khmer Empire, 6th-c; in dispute with Vietnamese and Thais from 15th-c; French Protectorate, 1863; formed French Indo-Chinese Union with Laos and Vietnam; 1887; independence, 1953; Prince Sihanouk deposed and Khmer Republic formed in 1970; fighting throughout the country involved troops from N and S Vietnam and the USA; surrender of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge, and country renamed Kampuchea, 1975; attempt to reform economy on cooperative lines by Pol Pot (1975–8) caused the deaths of an estimated 3 million people; further fighting 1977–8; Phnom Penh captured by the Vietnamese, causing Khmer Rouge to flee, 1979; 1981 constitution established a Council of State and a Council of Ministers; name of Cambodia restored, 1989; Vietnamese troops completed withdrawal, 1989; UN peace plan agreed, with ceasefire and return of Sihanouk as Head of State, 1991; Sihanouk crowned King, 1993; further conflict following Khmer Rouge refusal to take part in 1993 elections. Following eleven months of political deadlock, the two main parties agreed to form a coalition government, 2004; abdication of King Sihanouk, Oct 2004, Prince Norodom Sihamoni appointed successor.
Head of State
Monarch – Kingdom of Cambodia (Head of State)
2004– Norodom Sihamoni
2004Norodom Ranariddh Interim
1993–2004Norodom Sihanouk II (restored)
Interim Government
Chairman of the Supreme National Council
1991–3Norodom Sihanouk
State of Kampuchea
1989–91Heng Samrin
1982–91Norodom Sihanouk Government in exile
People's Republic of Kampuchea (1979)
1981–89Heng Samrin
Democratic Kampuchea
1976–81Khieu Samphan
1975–6Norodom Sihanouk
Khmer Republic
1972–5Lon Nol
1970–2Cheng Heng Acting
1970–5Norodom Sihanouk Government in exile
Kingdom of Cambodia – Monarch
1960–70Norodom Sihanouk
1955–60Norodom Suramarit
1941–55Norodom Sihanouk II
1927–41Monivong
1904–27Sisovath
1860–1904Norodom
1841–60Ang Duong
1834–41Ang Mey
1796–1834Ang Chan II
1779–96Ang Eng
1775–9Ang Non II
1758–75Prea Outey II
1755–8Ang Ton (restored)
1749–55Chettha V
1747–9Ang Ton
1738–47Thommo Reachea (restored)
1722–38Satha Ang Chei
1703–22Civil war
1702–03Thommo Reachea
1701–02Chettha IV (restored)
1699–1701Ang Em
1695–9Chettha IV (restored)
1695Outey I
1675–95Chettha IV
1674–5Obbarac Ang Non
1673–4Ang Chei
1672–3Chettha III
1659–72Batom Reachea
1642–59Chan Rama Thupdey
1640–2Ang Non I
1630–40Ponhea Nu
1628–30Ponhea To
1618–28Chettha II
1603–18Barom Reachea IV
1600–03Chao Ponhea Nhom
1599–1600Barom Reachea III
1596–9Barom Reachea II
1594–6Reamea Chung Prei
1576–94Chettha I
1566–76Barom Reachea I
1516–66Ang Chan I
1512–16Nay Kan
1486–1512Srey Sukonthor
1444–86Dharmarajadhiraja
1429–44Sodaiya
1404–29Narayana Ramadhipati
1389–1404Paramarajadhiraja
c.1387–89Dharmasokaraja
c.1377–c.1387Kambudjadhiraja
c.1371–c.1377Kalamegha
c.1362–c.1371Nirvanapada
c.1353–c.1362Period of instability
Angkor Kings
1327–c.1353Jayavarmadiparamesvara
1308–27Indrajayavarman
1295–1308Indravarman III
1243–95Jayavarman VIII
c.1219–43Indravarman II
1166–81Tribhuvanadityavarman
1160–6Yasovarman II
1150–60Dharanindravarman I
1113–50Suryavarman II
1107–1113Dharanindravarman I
1080–1107Jayavarman VI
1066–80Harshavarman III
1050–66Udayadityavarman II
1002–50Suryavarman I
1002Jayaviravarman
1001–02Udayadityavarman I
968–1001Jayavarman V
944–68Rajendravarman
942–4Harshavarman II
928–42Jayavarman IV
900–c.922Harshavarman I
889–900Yasovarman I
877–89Indravarman I
850–77Jayavarman III
802–50Jayavarman II
c.922–8Isanavarman II
Head of Governement (Prime Minister)
1998–Hun Sen
1997–8Ing Huot (joint)
1993–7Norodom Ranariddh (joint)
1993–8Hun Sen (joint)
1991–3No Prime Minister Interim Government
1982–91Son Sann Government in exile
1985–91Hun Sen
1981–5Chan Si
1979–81Khieu Samphan
1976–9Pol Pot
1975–6Samdech Penn Nouth
1973In Tam
1973–5Long Boret
1972Sisovath Sirik Matak
1972Son Ngoc Thanh
1972–3Hang Thun Hak
1970–3Samdech Penn Nouth Governemtn in exile
1969–72Lon Nol
1968–9Samdech Penn Nouth
1967–8Norodom Sihanouk
1966–7Lon Nol
1963–6Norodom Kantol
1961Samdech Penn Nouth
1961–3Norodom Sihanouk
1960–1Pho Proung
1958Ek Yi Oun
1958Samdech Penn Nouth Acting
1958Sim Var
1958–60Norodom Sihanouk
1957–8Sim Var
1956Oum Chheang Sun
1956Norodom Sihanouk
1956Khim Tit
1956Norodom Sihanouk
1956Sam Yun
1956–7Norodom Sihanouk
1955–6Norodom Sihanouk
1954–5Leng Ngeth
1953Samdech Penn Nouth
1953–4Chan Nak
1952–3As King
1951Son Ngoc Thanh
1951–2Huy Kanthoul
1949–51Prince Monipong
1948–9Son Ngoc Thanh
1946–8Prince Monireth
1945–6Son Ngoc Thanh