Area: total:181,035 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 90
land:176,515 sq km
water:4,520 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Oklahoma
Land boundaries: total:2,530 km
border countries:Laos 555 km, Thailand 817 km, Vietnam 1,158 km
Coastline: 443 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea:12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:200 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north
Elevation extremes: lowest point:Gulf of Thailand 0 m
highest point:Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
Natural resources: oil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential
Land use: arable land:22.09%
permanent crops:0.86%
other:77.05% (2011)
Irrigated land: 3,536 sq km (2006)
Total renewable water resources: 476.1 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): 476.1 cu km (2011) Natural hazards: monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts
Environment - current issues: illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing
Environment - international agreements: party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:Law of the Sea
Geography - note: a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap (Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake)
People and Society
Nationality: noun: Cambodian(s)
adjective:Cambodian
Ethnic groups: Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%
Languages: Khmer (official) 96.3%, other 3.7% (2008 est.)
Religions: Buddhist (official) 96.9%, Muslim 1.9%, Christian 0.4%, other 0.8% (2008 est.)
Population: 15,458,332country comparison to the world: 69
note:estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2014 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years:31.6% (male 2,460,659/female 2,423,619)
Legal system: civil law system (influenced by the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia) customary law, Communist legal theory, and common law
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state:King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004)
head of government:Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985) [co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997]; Permanent Deputy Prime Minister MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008); Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992); SOK AN, TEA BANH, HOR NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004); BIN CHHIN (since 5 September 2007); KEAT CHHON, YIM CHHAI LY (since 24 September 2008); KE KIMYAN (since 12 March 2009)
cabinet:Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch
elections:the king chosen by a Royal Throne Council from among all eligible males of royal descent; following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king
Legislative branch: bicameral, consists of the Senate (61 seats; 2 members appointed by the monarch, 2 elected by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by parliamentarians and commune councils; members serve five-year terms) and the National Assembly (123 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:Senate - last held on 4 February 2012 (next to be held in February 2018); National Assembly - last held on 28 July 2013 (next to be held in July 2018)
election results:Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 77.8%, CNRP (SRP) 22.2%; seats by party - CPP 46, CNRP (SRP) 11; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 48.8%, NRP 44.5%, FUNCINPEC 3.9%, others 2.8%; seats by party - CPP 68, CNRP 55
Judicial branch: highest court(s):Supreme Court (organized into 5- and 9-judge panels and includes a court chief and deputy chief); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members)
note - in 1997, the Cambodian Government requested UN assistance in establishing trials to prosecute former Khmer Rouge senior leaders for crimes against humanity committed during the 1975-1979 Khmer Rouge regime; the Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts in Cambodia were established and began hearings for the first case in 2009
judge selection and term of office:Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judge candidates recommended by the Supreme Council of Magistracy, a 9-member body chaired by the monarch and includes other high-level judicial officers; judges of both courts appointed by the monarch; Supreme Court judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed for 9-year terms with one-third of the court renewed every 3 years
subordinate courts:municipal and provincial courts; appellate courts; military court
Political parties and leaders: Cambodian People's Party or CPP [CHEA SIM]
Cambodian National Rescue Party or CNRP [SAM RANGSI also spelled SAM RAINSY]
National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [KEV PUT REAKSMEI]
Nationalist Party or NP former Norodom Ranariddh Party or NRP [SAO RANY]
note:the CNRP is a merger between the former Human Rights Party or HRP [KHEM SOKHA, also spelled KEM SOKHA] and the Sam Rangsi Party or SRP
Political pressure groups and leaders: Cambodian Freedom Fighters or CFF
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission:Ambassador HENG HEM (since 29 January 2009)
chancery:4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone:[1] (202) 726-7742
FAX:[1] (202) 726-8381
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission:Ambassador William E. TODD (since 17 April 2012)
embassy:#1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
mailing address:Box P, APO AP 96546
telephone:[855] (23) 728-000
FAX:[855] (23) 728-600
Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band; red and blue are traditional Cambodian colors
National symbol(s): Angkor Wat temple; kouprey (wild ox)
National anthem: name:'Nokoreach' (Royal Kingdom)
lyrics/music:CHUON NAT/F. PERRUCHOT and J. JEKYLL
note:adopted 1941, restored 1993; the anthem, based on a Cambodian folk tune, was restored after the defeat of the Communist regime
Economy
Economy - overview:
Since 2004, garments, construction, agriculture, and tourism have driven Cambodia's growth. GDP climbed more than 7% per year between 2010 and 2013. The garment industry currently employs more about 400,000 people and accounts for about 70% of Cambodia's total exports. In 2005, exploitable oil deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, representing a potential revenue stream for the government, if commercial extraction becomes feasible. Mining also is attracting some investor interest and the government has touted opportunities for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems. The tourism industry has continued to grow rapidly with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year since 2007 and reaching over 3 million visitors in 2012. Cambodia, nevertheless, remains one of the poorest countries in Asia and long-term economic development remains a daunting challenge, inhibited by endemic corruption, limited educational opportunities, high income inequality, and poor job prospects. Approximately 4 million people live on less than $1.25 per day, and 37% of Cambodian children under the age of 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition. More than 50% of the population is less than 25 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the impoverished countryside, which also lacks basic infrastructure. The Cambodian Government is working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs; more than 50% of the government budget comes from donor assistance. The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$39.64 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
$37.04 billion (2012 est.)
$34.52 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$15.64 billion (2013 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
7.3% (2012 est.)
7.1% (2011 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,600 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
$2,400 (2012 est.)
$2,300 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars
Gross national saving:
9.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
9.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
12% of GDP (2011 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption:74.7%
government consumption:7.7%
investment in fixed capital:16.4%
investment in inventories:2.1%
exports of goods and services:65.3%
imports of goods and services:-66.2%
(2013 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture:34.8%
US 32.6%, UK 8.3%, Germany 7.7%, Canada 7.7%, Singapore 6.6%, Vietnam 5.7%, Japan 4.7% (2012)
Imports:
$8.895 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
$7.965 billion (2012 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products
Imports - partners:
Thailand 27.1%, Vietnam 20.3%, China 19.5%, Singapore 7.1%, Hong Kong 5.8%, South Korea 4.3% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$5.415 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
$4.938 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Debt - external:
$4.912 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
$4.567 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Exchange rates:
riels (KHR) per US dollar -
4,037.6 (2013 est.)
4,033 (2012 est.)
4,184.9 (2010 est.)
4,139 (2009)
4,070.94 (2008)
Energy
Electricity - production:
1.019 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world:144
Electricity - consumption:
2.573 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Electricity - imports:
1.83 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
359,900 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
94.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
3.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
1.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Crude oil - production:
0.5 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
39,350 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Refined petroleum products - imports:
26,250 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
4.39 million Mt (2011 est.)
Communications
Telephones - main lines in use:
584,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world:93
Telephones - mobile cellular:
19.1 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 53
Telephone system:
general assessment:adequate fixed-line and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; mobile-cellular phone systems are widely used in urban areas to bypass deficiencies in the fixed-line network; mobile-phone coverage is rapidly expanding in rural areas
domestic:fixed-line connections stand at about 4 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, aided by competition among service providers, is increasing rapidly and stands at 92 per 100 persons
international:country code - 855; adequate but expensive landline and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and major provincial cities; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2011)
Broadcast media:
mixture of state-owned, joint public-private, and privately owned broadcast media; 9 TV broadcast stations with most operating on multiple channels, including 1 state-operated station broadcasting from multiple locations, 6 stations either jointly operated or privately owned with some broadcasting from several locations, and 2 TV relay stations - one relaying a French TV station and the other relaying a Vietnamese TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite systems are available; roughly 50 radio broadcast stations - 1 state-owned broadcaster with multiple stations and a large mixture of public and private broadcasters; several international broadcasters are available (2009)
Internet country code:
.kh
Internet hosts:
13,784 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 129
Internet users:
78,500 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 167
Transportation
Airports
16 (2013)
country comparison to the world:142
Airports - with paved runways total:6
2,438 to 3,047 m:3
1,524 to 2,437 m:2
914 to 1,523 m:1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:10
1,524 to 2,437 m:2
914 to 1,523 m:7
under 914 m:
1 (2013)
Heliports 1 (2013)
Railways total:690 kmcountry comparison to the world: 101
narrow gauge:690 km 1.000-m gauge
note:under restoration (2010)
Roadways total:39,618 kmcountry comparison to the world: 88
paved:2,492 km
unpaved:37,126 km (2009)
Waterways
3,700 km (mainly on Mekong River) (2012)
country comparison to the world: 29
Merchant marine total:544country comparison to the world: 21
by type:bulk carrier 38, cargo 459, carrier 7, chemical tanker 4, container 4, liquefied gas 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 11, roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 1
foreign-owned:352 (Belgium 1, Canada 2, China 177, Cyprus 4, Egypt 4, Estonia 1, French Polynesia 1, Gabon 1, Greece 2, Hong Kong 10, Indonesia 2, Ireland 1, Japan 1, Lebanon 5, Russia 50, Singapore 3, South Korea 10, Syria 22, Taiwan 1, Turkey 15, UAE 2, UK 1, Ukraine 35, Vietnam 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals major seaport(s):Sihanoukville (Kampong Saom)
river port(s):Phnom Penh (Mekong)
Military
Military branches Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force (2013)
Military service age and obligation 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2012)
Manpower available for military service males age 16-49:3,883,724
females age 16-49:4,003,585 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service males age 16-49:2,638,167
females age 16-49:2,965,328 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually male:151,143
female:154,542 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures
1.54% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 60
1.5% of GDP (2011)
1.54% of GDP (2010)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international Cambodia is concerned about Laos' extensive upstream dam construction; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary; in 2011 Thailand and Cambodia resorted to arms in the dispute over the location of the boundary on the precipice surmounted by Preah Vihear Temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962 and part of a UN World Heritage site; Cambodia accuses Vietnam of a wide variety of illicit cross-border activities; progress on a joint development area with Vietnam is hampered by an unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands
Trafficking in persons
Illicit drugs narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police; limited methamphetamine production; vulnerable to money laundering due to its cash-based economy and porous borders