Quick Facts

Visitors should check information likely to change.

Area: 181,035 square kilometres

Capital City: Phnom Penh (pop. approx. 1 million)

Population: (2007 Est.) 14.24 million

Language: Cambodia’s official language is Khmer. French is taught in the schools and universities. English is becoming more widespread.

Religion: The official religion is Theravada Buddhism, which is practised by 95% of the people.

Climate: Tropical monsoon with a rainy season from May to November and dry season from December to April.

Local Time: GMT +7

Currency: The Cambodian currency unit is the riel (50r, 100r, 200r, 500r, 1,000r, 2,000r, 5,000r, 10,000r, 20,000r, 50,000r and 100,000r), though US dollars are widely accepted with the change often being tendered in riel. Credit cards are becoming more common, and most major cities (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville) have US dollar ATMs.

Banks in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Battambang can change money, and some cash travellers cheques. Most banks are open Monday-Friday from 08.00-15.00.

Business Hours: Government offices Monday-Friday from 08.00-17.00 (closed 12.00-13.00) and shops from 08.00-21.00, which are also open on Saturday.

Postal Service: Airmail to Europe, Australia and North America takes 5-10 days.

Telephone: Telephone and fax services are available. Country code: 855. Phnom Penh code: 23. Many hotels have IDD lines. Public phones for international calls using prepaid phone cards are common in Phnom Penh and Seam Reap. You can make domestic and international calls at post offices or telecom offices in most towns. Cambodia also has several mobile phone providers. SIM cards and prepaid phone cards can be purchased at international airports and shops through the country.

Emergency Contact Numbers
General emergency telephone numbers in Cambodia:
- Ambulance     119
- Fire     118
- Police     117

English Newspapers: The Phnom Penh Post and The Cambodia Daily.

Email/Internet: Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have several internet shops with rates under US$1 per hour. Access in the provinces is limited, but available in the capitals.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Tap Water: Only drink sealed bottled water.

Medical: No vaccinations are required for entry. A well-stocked first aid kit and personal medications should be brought into the country. If travelling to remote border areas, consider vaccinations for typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus and Japanese encephalitis.

Tipping: Tipping is not obligatory but widely practised in hotels and restaurants, in addition to restaurant and hotel service charges.

Airport Tax: The departure tax for international flights is US$25 and US$6 for domestic flights.

Photography: Photography in airports, inside the National Museum and in some parts of the Royal Palace is forbidden. Discretion should be used when photographing people, especially monks.

Tourist Information: Ministry of Tourism’s official site, www.tourismcambodia.com.