Cambodia Overview

OVERVIEW

Cambodia overview: The legislation

Cambodia’s legal framework has undergone significant transformation since the 1990s, with reforms aimed at building stability, attracting investment, and integrating into the global economy. Rooted in civil law traditions influenced by France, the country has enacted legislation to regulate commerce, land management, foreign investment, and civil rights. As a member of ASEAN and the WTO, Cambodia has aligned parts of its legal system with regional and international standards. Despite ongoing challenges in enforcement, continued reforms focus on improving transparency, judicial independence, and investor confidence, making the system more adaptive to economic modernization and global integration.

Cambodia overview: Main cities

The capital, Phnom Penh, located at the confluence of the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac rivers, is the political, economic, and cultural center of Cambodia, with a population of over 2 million people. It is a city of contrasts, blending colonial-era architecture, vibrant markets, and modern development. In the northwest, Siem Reap serves as the gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, home to the world-famous Angkor Wat temple complex and a major hub for international tourism. Other important urban centers include Sihanoukville on the southern coast, known for its beaches and ports, and Battambang, a city rich in history and traditional culture. Together, these cities form the backbone of Cambodia’s urban and economic landscape.

Cambodia overview: Geography & Climate

Cambodia is located in mainland Southeast Asia, sharing borders with Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, and a coastline along the Gulf of Thailand. The landscape is defined by the Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong River, which sustain much of the population, along with fertile plains, coastal lowlands, and forested highlands. Cambodia experiences a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons: the rainy season from May to October, bringing lush greenery and high water levels, and the dry season from November to April, with cooler weather early in the season and hotter months leading into April. While this general pattern applies nationwide, the climate and scenery differ across Northern, Central, and Southern Cambodia, creating diverse travel experiences.

Northern Cambodia

Northern Cambodia is home to the famous Angkor region, including Siem Reap and the Angkor Archaeological Park. The area is characterized by lowland plains, rice fields, and forested areas, with a climate marked by hot, dry conditions in March and April, and heavy rains from May to October that nourish the landscape. The cooler months from November to February are the most pleasant for exploring temples such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm. Northern Cambodia also extends into more remote provinces like Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey, where temple ruins and less-visited cultural sites offer opportunities for adventure.

Central Cambodia

Central Cambodia is dominated by the vast Tonle Sap Lake and the fertile Mekong River basin, where Phnom Penh, the country’s capital, is located at the junction of rivers. This region experiences a humid tropical climate, with heavy rains swelling the Tonle Sap and reversing the flow of the Tonle Sap River during the monsoon months. The dry season, particularly from November to February, is the best time to explore Phnom Penh’s cultural sites, markets, and French-colonial architecture, or to take river cruises along the Mekong. The central plains also serve as the country’s agricultural heartland, producing rice and other crops thanks to the fertile floodplains.

Southern Cambodia

Southern Cambodia is defined by its coastal provinces such as Sihanoukville, Kampot, and Kep, as well as the forested Cardamom Mountains. This region is generally warmer and more humid than the north, with a rainy season that enhances the lush jungles and waterfalls, and a dry season that is ideal for beach trips.

From November to February, the climate is sunny and less humid, making it the perfect time to enjoy white-sand beaches, island getaways like Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem, or the laid-back river towns of Kampot and Kep. The Southern region’s mix of coastline and mountains creates a refreshing contrast to the flat plains of central Cambodia.