Cambodia

In brief

Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia. Its capital is Phnom Penh. With 17.8 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 72nd in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 181,035 km². It shares land borders with Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.

GDP per capita stands at $2,872 (2025), 145th in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 70.8 years (2024). 41% of the population lives in cities.

History of Cambodia

From the 9th to the 15th century the Khmer Empire dominated mainland South-East Asia from Angkor; the temple of Angkor Wat, built in the 12th century, is the largest religious monument in the world. A French protectorate from 1863, Cambodia became independent on 9 November 1953 under King Norodom Sihanouk. From 1975 to 1979 the Khmer Rouge regime killed about 1.7 million people, nearly a quarter of the population. After Vietnamese intervention and a UN administration, the monarchy was restored in 1993.

Geography of Cambodia

Cambodia is a broad plain ringed by mountains and crossed by the Mekong. The Tonlé Sap, the largest lake in South-East Asia, sees its river reverse its flow in the rainy season, when the Mekong’s flood fills it. The country has a coast on the Gulf of Thailand.

Map of Cambodia

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Flag of Cambodia

The flag of Cambodia is red, white and blue. Its official proportions are 16:25 (height to width).

• Blue53%
• Red40%
• White7%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Blue, red and blue, with the temple of Angkor Wat in white in the centre. It is one of the few national flags to show a building.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Cambodia” and “Flag of Cambodia”.

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Fact file

Economy and society