Phnom Penh, Cambodia

According to abbreviationfinder, Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia. It is strategically located at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers. It is the most European city in Southeast Asia. It still conserves the great avenues, the boulevards, and the beautiful houses from its colonial era, in different states of conservation. It is characteristic, the bustle, the disorder in which the city lives, the constant din of horns and motorcycles that come and go as in Hanoi or Saigon. And the markets, with their peculiar smell, a mixture of all smells, where you can find from memory cards for the camera to socks, from cleaning products to snails., everything mixed.

For the French, Phon Penh was the jewel in the crown. Tradition says that it owes its name to a lady who saw a log floating in the river one day with four small statues of Buddha. On the only hill that stands out in the plain of the city, he founded the first pagoda of what would later become the city of Phnom Penh. “Phnom” in Khmer language means “hill” and “Penh” was the name of the aristocrat. The pagoda, with its colorful images and offerings, is worth visiting. For some unknown reason, Phnom Penh is full of monkeys running around everywhere. They climb trees and facades and enter houses where they steal, in addition to food, any object that catches their attention. They seem not to fear pedestrians or cars or motorcycles. They only draw attention to the few tourists who are. And at the National Museum of Phnom Penh, you can discover dazzling Khmer art, a collection of sculptural pieces from the temples of Angkor, in the Cambodian jungle. The sculptures represent the gods Shiva and Vishnu, Khmer kings and emperors, dancers. A beauty.

Demography

Of the nearly 1.5 million people living in the Cambodian capital, the vast majority are ethnic Khmer. The Chinese and Vietnamese can also be considered when analyzing the population but they are not very representative. See population of Cambodia.

Economic development

The manufacturing textiles is the most important industry in the capital of Cambodia although food production and export also has a very specific weight. Above all, rice stands out, and the distilleries.

The gemstones and reserves of iron are the most important resources that the floor of Phnom Penh.

Regarding tourism, it can also be considered that in recent years it has influenced the country’s economy.

Sightseeing

The main tourist attractions in Phnom Penh include, the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum or the Independence Monument.

Culture

Phnom Penh is a picturesque Asian city that still maintains the flavor of the former French colony, it is home to many cultural and educational institutions.

In the Museum of the Buddhist Institute you can see a collection of works of art from the Khmer dynasties, and the National Museum houses a collection of antiquities dating from the 6th century. Among the educational institutions are higher education institutions such as: the University of Phnom Penh (1960), the Buddhist University (1954), the University of Decorative Arts (1965) and the University of Agricultural Sciences (1965). Due to their historical importance, we must highlight the palaces of the ancient kings of Cambodia and some Buddhist temples.

Crafts

Fabrics with peasant motifs embroidered in gold and silver lamé are the great attraction of the Cambodian capital.

It is also a tradition to be able to enjoy miniature busts that are exposed in the National Museum.

Finally, the silver boxes and salt shakers or even the steel hangers that are very popular can be highlighted.

Gastronomy

The rice is the traditional food for the like other countries in the area. Noodles also have some importance in your kitchen that also uses the meat of chicken and pork in your meals.

Vegetable or fish soups always open Cambodian banquets.

As for beverages, the ranking is made up of tea, coffee, beer and the traditional liquor made with the fermentation of rice.

Holidays and traditions

In addition to the national holiday that is celebrated on November 9 in commemoration of Independence, there is the Bon Om Touk, a festival also called the Reverse Current, which is celebrated between October and November, coinciding with the reversal of the current of the Tonlé River. Sap. In this festivity it is traditional to make offerings in the temples and folkloric manifestations.

Places of interest

• The Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Cambodia (XIX).
• Independence Monument. Opened in 1958 to celebrate Cambodia’s independence from foreign laws.
• The Silver Pagoda. It is so called because its floor is made up of 5,000 silver tiles.

Religion

The predominant religion is Theravada Buddhism

Illustrious people

Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk Varman, was born in 1922 and has been one of the most important political figures in the country. He has been prime minister, head of state, president and king of the country.

It is considered the promoter of the Independence of Cambodia in 1953. In 1970 he was dethroned by a coup in which the US collaborated, but in 1993 he became king again.

In 2004 he had to abdicate for health reasons.