Overview
Cambodia – Khmer’s Land blending modern with the ancient
One of the southern states of Southeast Asia, Cambodia is geographically bordered by Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand. The capital of the country is Phnom Penh and has a monarchy with the King serving as the head of the state.
The Khmer Empire or the Angkor Empire ruled modern-day Cambodia from 9th century onwards and became Southeast Asia’s undaunted empire during the 12th century with capital at Angkor. The Empire fell from its glory in the 15th century. And then started the Dark Age for the country where the native tribal men and women used to be hunted down and made to work as slaves by the Thai or Siamese, Vietnamese and the Cambodian people. The 19th century witnessed various battles between Siam and Vietnam to seek control over Cambodia. It was only after the French entered the country and after a century of throning and de-throning of various Kings, that the state finally gained independence in 1953 during the reign of King Norodom Sihanouk. During the late 1960’s the region was targeted by heavy bombing by the Americans and it was only three decades later that through the Paris Comprehensive Peace Settlement that the United Nations intervened to enforce a ceasefire here.
