Cambodia
Country · Asia, South-eastern Asia
Located in South-eastern Asia, Cambodia covers an area of 181,035 square kilometers and is home to approximately 18 million people. Its capital is Phnom Penh. The country features diverse historical sites, including several UNESCO World Heritage locations.
Highlights
The fact sheet covers 12 major sights. Many of these are centered around the Angkor area, a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes Angkor Wat, the Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Banteay Srei. Other notable UNESCO sites include Preah Vihear and Sambor Prei Kuk. In the capital, Phnom Penh, visitors can see the Royal Palace of Cambodia and Wat Phnom. The country also includes sites related to its history, specifically the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek.
Food and drink
Cambodian cuisine features a variety of dishes. Common items include Prahok, Fish amok, Kuyteav, and Samlor machu.
When to go
This section describes the weather in Phnom Penh. The year begins with drier months from December through February, when daily highs range from 30 °C to 33 °C and rainfall is minimal. As the year progresses, temperatures remain warm, but rainfall increases significantly. March and April are hot, with highs reaching 34 °C to 35 °C and more frequent rain. From May through October, the capital experiences its wettest period, with the number of rainy days peaking at over 20 per month in June, July, September, and October. November brings a decrease in rain before the drier season returns.
Practical notes
The official currency is the riel. The official language is Khmer. The country operates on a 230 V electrical system, using plug types A, C, and G. Driving occurs on the right side of the road. The time zone is UTC+07:00.
Cities
Food and drink to try in Cambodia
- Prahok
- Fish amok
- Kuyteav
- Num banhchok
- Samlor machu
- Num ansom
Top sights in Cambodia
Weather by month
The warmest month is April, with an average high of 35 °C. The wettest is September, with about 253 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 |
| Average low, °C | 22 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 |
| Rainfall, mm | 10 | 4 | 35 | 74 | 119 | 148 | 162 | 196 | 253 | 248 | 112 | 21 |
| Rainy days | 4 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 15 | 6 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Phnom Penh (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Angkor National Museum
- Angkor Panorama Museum
- Bakong
- Banteay Kdei
- Banteay Samré
- Baphuon
- Beng Mealea
- Cambodian Memorial Sites
- East Mebon
- Kbal Spean
- Kep National Park
- Killing caves of Phnom Sampeau
- Lolei
- National Museum of Cambodia
- Neak Pean
- Olympic Stadium
- Phnom Bakheng
- Prasat Kravan
- Pre Rup
- Preah Khan
- Preah Ko
- Preah Monivong National Park
- Roluos
- Sisowath Quay
- Srah Srang
- Ta Keo
- Ta Som
- Terrace of the Elephants
- Terrace of the Leper King
- Tonle Sap
- Virachey National Park
- War Museum Cambodia
- Wat Botum
- Wat Ek Phnom
- Wat Ounalom