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Phnom Penh - General Information
Area: 290 sq km
Population: 1,184,594
Density: 3,448
Khan: 7
Sangkat: 76
Village: 637
Phnom Penh is the vibrant bustling capital of Cambodia. Situated at the
confluence of three rivers, the mighty Mekong, the Bassac and the great Tonle
Sap, what was once considered the 'Gem' of Indochina. The capital city still
maintains considerable charm with plenty to see. It exudes a sort of provincial
charm and tranquility with French colonial mansions and tree-lined boulevards
amidst monumental Angkorian architecture. Phnom Penh is a veritable oasis
compared to the modernity of other Asian capitals. A mixture of Asian exotica,
the famous Cambodian hospitality awaits the visitors to the capital of the
Kingdom of Cambodia.
Here in the capital, are many interesting touristy sites. Beside the Royal
Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum, the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum,
the Choeng Ek Killing Fields and Wat Phnom, there are several market places
selling carvings, paintings, silk, silver, gems and even antiques. Indeed, an
ideal destination for a leisurely day tour. The whole area including the
outskirts of Phnom Penh is about 376 square kilometers big. There are currently
2,009,264 people living in Phnom Penh.
The city takes its name from the re-known Wat Phnom Daun Penh (nowadays: Wat
Phnom or Hill Temple), which was built in 1373 to house five statues of Buddha
on a man made hill 27 meters high. These five statues were floating down the
Mekong in a Koki tree and an old wealthy widow named Daun Penh (Grandma Penh)
saved them and set them up on this very hill for worshiping. Phnom Penh was also
previously known as Krong Chaktomuk (Chaturmukha) meaning "City of Four Faces".
This name refers to the confluence where the Mekong, Bassac, and Tonle Sap
rivers cross to form an "X" where the capital is situated.
Phnom Penh is also the gateway to an exotic land - the world heritage site, the
largest religious complex in the world, the temples of Angkor in the west, the
beaches of the southern coast and the ethnic minorities of the North-eastern
provinces. There are also a wide variety of services including five star hotels
and budget guest houses, fine international dining, sidewalk noodle shops,
neighborhood pubs international discos and more.
Phnom Penh, like other Asian-City tourist destinations, is in the midst of rapid
change. Over the past few years the number of restaurants and hotels have grown
considerably and in the last year there had been a huge increase in the number
of visitors. Come and see a real “original” as it won’t be the same in a few
years.
Source: Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia |
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