Introducing Cambodia

Cambodia, a democracy and constitutional monarchy located in the Indian- Chinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, is the home of about 15 million people. Cambodia lies on the Gulf of Thailand coasts and borders with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Khmer is the most common local language, while French is the most spoken foreign language (Cambodia was a French colony until its independence in 9.11.1953) however, English is gradually taking over the French language.

Almost 90% of Cambodia's population is of Khmer origin, an ethnic group formed from the merger of Indians, Hindu - Malians, Thais, Chinese and Vietnamese people. About 90% of Cambodians are Buddhists.

More than 70% of Cambodia's 180 thousand square kilometers territory is lowland and the Mekong River crosses the country from north to south. Approximately 75% of Cambodia's land area is covered by forests.

Cambodia knew many political upheavals during the last century, but since 1993, democratic elections are held in it. Starting 1999, which also marks the end of the country's violent clashes, the Cambodian economy is characterized by growth momentum; between 2004 and 2008, the average economic growth was 10%, thanks to the accelerated development of the following areas: textiles, construction, agriculture and tourism. Though influenced to some extent by the economic crisis of 2009, the economic growth in Cambodia between in 2010-2011 was of more than 6%.

Cambodia's economy is primarily based on agriculture which contributes about 50% to the GDP. About 75% of the labor force works in agriculture; mainly in rice, rubber and cassava and sugar cane fields.

Several industries have changed considerably in recent years:

Textile and clothing: This industry employs more than 300,000 people (about 5% of the labor force in Cambodia). The Cambodian textile industry has become a major player, competing with leading textile manufacturer such as China, India, Vietnam and Bangladesh. 70% of Cambodia's export is textiles and clothing.

Petroleum and Minerals: In 2005 oil resources were found in Cambodia's territorial waters.  Mining and quarrying is also a growing industry, especially in the country's northern regions. The Mineral industry requires a considerable investment in infrastructure and development but its opportunities include mining and quarrying of minerals such as bauxite, gold, iron and gems.
Crude rubber export, one of Cambodia's main export products, increased by 50% in 2011.

Tourism: Cambodia is a tourist destination with unrealized potential even though it hosts more than 2 million tourists every year. The main tourism city is Siem - Reap where the Angkor Wat temple is located (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Phnom - Penn, Cambodia's capital city is situated on the mouth of the Tonle Sap River into the Mekong River and is the home of the king's palace, as well as many temples, pagodas and the national museum.