#Chenla (kingdom)

[southeastasianarchaeology]

Japan Boosts Cambodia's Sambor Prei Kuk with $300K Grant

via Khmer Times, 12 December 2023: The Japanese government has allocated an additional $300,000 to Cambodia for the Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological Site’s restoration and human resource development. This funding, part of a broader $638,967 grant, supports the construction of a training facility and the purchase of restoration materials. The “Human Resources Development Project in Conservation and…

[linkfortune138]

History of cambodia

The history of Cambodia is rich and complex, spanning thousands of years and marked by periods of great prosperity, cultural achievements, and political upheaval. Here is an overview of key periods and events in Cambodian history:

Ancient Civilizations: The earliest known civilization in Cambodia dates back to the Funan Kingdom in the 1st century CE. Funan was succeeded by the Chenla Kingdom in the 6th century, which eventually split into two rival states: Chenla Land to the north and Chenla Water to the south.

Angkor Empire: The Khmer Empire, centered around the city of Angkor, rose to prominence in the 9th century under King Jayavarman II. Angkor became one of the most powerful and prosperous empires in Southeast Asia, known for its impressive architecture, including the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex. The empire reached its zenith during the reign of King Jayavarman VII in the 12th century.

Thai and Vietnamese Incursions: The decline of the Khmer Empire began in the 13th century due to invasions by the Thai and Vietnamese kingdoms. Angkor was sacked by the Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1431, leading to the eventual abandonment of the city.

Colonial Rule: Cambodia became a French protectorate in 1863 after King Norodom signed a treaty with the French colonial authorities. Under French rule, Cambodia was governed as part of French Indochina along with Vietnam and Laos.

Independence and Turmoil: Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953 under King Norodom Sihanouk. However, political instability and internal conflict plagued the country in the following decades, exacerbated by the Vietnam War and the rise of the Khmer Rouge insurgency.

Khmer Rouge Regime: The Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, seized power in Cambodia in 1975 after the fall of Phnom Penh. The Khmer Rouge regime implemented radical communist policies, resulting in widespread atrocities, forced labor, and the deaths of an estimated 1.7 to 2 million people during the Cambodian genocide.

Vietnamese Occupation: In 1979, Vietnam invaded Cambodia and overthrew the Khmer Rouge regime. Cambodia became a Vietnamese-backed socialist state known as the People's Republic of Kampuchea, leading to years of conflict and instability.

Peace Accords and Reconstruction: In the 1990s, Cambodia transitioned to a constitutional monarchy and began the process of national reconciliation and reconstruction. The Paris Peace Accords in 1991 laid the groundwork for democratic elections and the establishment of a multiparty system.

Modern Cambodia: Cambodia has made significant progress in the decades since the end of the civil war, experiencing economic growth, infrastructure development, and improvements in living standards. However, challenges remain, including political corruption, human rights abuses, and social inequality.

Despite its tumultuous history, Cambodia continues to be home to a rich cultural heritage, vibrant traditions, and resilient people who are working towards a brighter future for their country.

[lionheartlr]

Discover Cambodia: A Comprehensive Travel Guide

Cambodia, a gem in Southeast Asia, is a land of ancient temples, vibrant culture, and resilient spirit. From the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat to bustling markets in Phnom Penh, Cambodia offers a rich tapestry of experiences for every traveler. Brief History Cambodia’s history dates back to the early kingdoms of Funan and Chenla, which later gave rise to the Khmer Empire in the 9th century. The…

[utrips2cambodia]

Sambor Prei Kuk Temple, Chenla Kingdom Full-Day Tour https://utrip2cambodia.com/tour/sambor-prei-kuk-temple-chenla-kingdom-full-day-tour/ https://utrip2cambodia.com/tour/sambor-prei-kuk-temple-chenla-kingdom-full-day-tour/

[stormzyismyson]

Hindu Kingdoms in South East Asia

Funan(2000 yrs ago)- Southern vietnam and southern Cambodia.

Kaundinya I from Kalinga married the local princess Queen Soma and gave rise to Funan kingdom.

Chenla and champa were its successor states (both hindu).

Champa kingdom was in existence from 192 AD to 1832 AD. The south china sea was historically called the Champa Sagar.

Java -Shailendra dynasty(still rules Srivijaya in Sumatra).

Majapahid empire was the imperial phase of Indonesia which is still considered the pinnacle of Indonesian history.

[mekongdeltatourslove-blog]

Mekong Delta history of structure plus development

The Mekong Delta location consists of 12 provinces altogether: Long The, Tien Giang, Bill Tre, Vinh Very long, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Dong Thap, An Giang, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Bac Pays and Florida Mau in addition to 1 middle city will be Can Tho Metropolis. Typically the typical peaceful scenery associated with the countryside in Vietnam along with the ardent and genuine people the two have created the special characteristic of the Mekong Delta. Now let’s go along with Viet Interesting Travel for you to check out more about Mekong Delta historical past which absolutely intrigued an individual. Overview associated with the Mekong Delta place Mekong Delta or generally called Southwest region is usually part of the delta of the Mekong Lake with a section of 45. 6 thousand km2, occupying a great area of about 12. 3% of the spot of the total region plus the coastal region extending as much as 700km, so creating positive conditions with regard to the development of typically the marine economy. Formed through alluvial sediments and accreted over the changing age associated with sea level, the Location region is also known as the greatest granary of Vietnam, getting one of 7 important Vietnam's monetary regions. Typically the Mekong Delta history more than the course of time Mekong Delta was found in yesteryear the territory regarding Funan and later Chenla and contributed the enhancement process. Nguyen and even Tay Son lords Around 1658, Lord Nguyen Phuc Brown aided the königlich family member of Chenla, Batom Reachea, to the throne and signed a treaty with Chenla court to let Japanese to own often the land gotten back in Saigon, Dong Nai and Ba Ria. Found in 1698 Nguyen Huu Canh was directed by Adept Nguyen Phuc Chu to determine Vietnamese administrative structures inside region connected with Chenla land. He / she divided up Dong Pho land connected with Chinese individuals into districts and then ruled. Nguyen Lord again hired people today from Quang Binh which often is located in typically the middle of Vietnam to be able to come back to arranged up villages together with communes, and the Vietnamese and Chinese people here ended up under the federal government of Nguyen Lord and Viet country. Mac Cuu is a local of Guangdong, but for the reason that Qing Empire toppled typically the Ming Dynasty from the throne, and so he and his friends and family moved to Chenla. In 1680, Mac Cuu enhanced the land to consist of the gets of ' Tien, Rach Gia together with Phu Quoc, which belonged to Chenla although the control of the Chenla court couldn’t reach. Till 1757, Nguyen lord held many lands of Chenla, which are the Western world of Vietnam now. Nguyen Dynasty saigon day tours Through the Nguyen Dynasty founded in 1802, King Gia Long continued typically the career of Nguyen lords, completed the management technique and unified administration upon a national scale. King Minh Mang in 1832 set out in Cochinchina (Nam Ky) and separated this into 6 zone, and so that was named Nam Ky Luc Tinh or even in addition known like Luc Tinh. In 1836, the ruler changed Gia Dinh (Saigon city) to help Bien Hoa (Bien Hoa province) Dinh Tuong (My Tho city) in the particular East and Vinh Very long (Vinh Long province) The Giang (Chau Heya city) Ha Tien (Ha Ton province) in the West. six Western provinces Amid the 6th provinces throughout Cochinchina at that moment, there ended up some contrée in the Southwest region (Mekong Delta) including: Dinh Tuong, Vinh Long, An Giang and Ha Tien. There is also some sort of part of Gia Dinh province at that time in the Southwest region, same as to an element of Long The and Tien Giang lieu (Go Cong land) right now. During the level of resistance war against France and even The usa In December 1845, two to three countries of A great Nam (Vietnam), Siam (Thailand) in addition to Mien (Cambodia) signed the treaty, acknowledging 6 Lower provinces of Vietnam. The year after 1846, the Nguyen and Siam dynasties signed another treaty that duplicated that. This is the treaty the fact that later on, Cao Mien also enjoyed. Thus, till 1845, neighboring countries with Vietnam, which include Cambodia, signed established authorized documents and acknowledged often the Southern location involving Vietnam. In 1858, french bitten South Vietnam and in turn populated 6 Nam Ky lieu, the Nguyen Empire mobilized the army to conduct resistance against the People from france. When the resistance was unable, typically the Nguyen court autographed snack bars to France 3 Asian provinces (in 1862) together with 3 western pays (in 1874). After developing typically the Indochina Federation, England practiced sovereignty over often the land involving The southern area of Vietnam, carried out edge preparing between South Vietnam together with Cambodia under This particular language regulation. In 1889, Portugal plus Cambodia signed some sort of set of legal documents in order to plan and demarcate the particular border between Nam Ky and Cambodia. On July 4, 1949, due in order to the accomplishment of Vietnam in the struggle in opposition to France, the French President V. Auriol signed this Code No. 49-733 to go back Nam Ky to typically the Bao Dai government. Therefore, inside of 1949, the territory regarding Nam Bo, which in turn experienced recently been "ceded" by the Nguyen Dynasty for you to the French colonialists seemed to be returned to Vietnam together with a lawful document, the French Federal affirmed its historical bases and the legislation of this document with the Kingdom of Cambodia. Due to the fact then, the sovereignty connected with Vietnam on the area of Southern Viet

[notesfromasmallworld]

Common heritage framed by trees It is an anniversary: Framed by trees and jungle, the Sâmbor Prey Kŭh temples of pre-Angkor Chenla kingdom was added to our common World Cultural Heritage list. It happened on 8th of July 2017, five years ago when this is written. I actually visited this site the year before this admittance. Sâmbor Prey Kŭh is a collection of temples in three main groups. The oldest is from early 6th Century CE. The youngest from early 9th. They were built as hinduist temples by the Chenla kings. The Chenla/Zhenla kingdom was the last pre-Angkor khmer kingdom. They were built in the same era as the My Sõn temples of Champa kingdom in Central Viet Nam. There are some similar features, probably because the extended trading and wars between the two kingdoms resulted in some heavy cultural exchanges. The area was abandoned when a new royal dynasty established the first khmer capital in Hariharalaya, in the modern day Rolous town area centered around Preah Ko, Lolei and Bakong temples. This is Southeast of todays Siem Reap City, and more famous Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambor_Prei_Kuk #worldculturalheritage #humanity #onerace #sharedworld #multicultural #archive #2016 #sharedresponsibility #history #culture #chenla #preangkor #templecomplex #architecturelovers #archeology #tree #jungle (at ប្រាសាទសំបូរព្រៃគុហ៏ Prasat Sombo Preykuh) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfvPwJWPB46/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[southeastasianarchaeology]

Khmer cultural heritage at the Dong Thap Provincial Museum

via Rasmei Kamuchea Daily, 08 February 2023: Article is in Khmer, featuring Khmer cultural heritage in the provincial museum of Vietnam's Dong Thap province. #archaeology #angkor #funan #chenla #vietnam #museum

via Rasmei Kamuchea Daily, 08 February 2023: Article is in Khmer, featuring Khmer cultural heritage in the provincial museum of Vietnam’s Dong Thap province. នៅសារ:មន្ទីរខេត្តដុងថាប ដែលមានទីតាំងនៅក្រុងកៅឡាញ់ឬទីរួម��េត្តនេះ មានវត្តមានមរតកវប្បធម៌ខ្មែរសម័យហ្វូណន(ស.វទី១-៦ នៃគ.ស) ជាវត្ថុបុរាណសំខាន់ជាងគេដែលដាក់តាំង។ មគ្គុទេសនៅសារ:មន្ទីរនោះបានបង្ហាញពីរូបចម្លាក់ថ្មភក់…

[askdrzinasia]

Sunset over the great river port city

The province capital of Kampong Thom province is a nice stop halfway between Phnom Penh and Siem Reab. Over the years, the city has developed in a rapid tempo, and I find it more and more interesting to visit to check on the progress.

The area was an important town in the pre-khmer era, when the Funan culture and the later Chenla Kingdom laid the basis for the great Angkor Empire in Northwest.

Today it is a logical place to stay for the surrounding cultural and historic sites, including the UNESCO heritage site Prasat Sambor Kouk. This was the state temples for Chenla from 500 to 800 CE.

The buses running from the capital via National Road 6 to Siem Reap and Thai border stops here. There is lodging available from high end to hostels, markets, shops, restaurants and cafees.

Including a couple of really nice breakfast places, traditional or modern.

Notable sites are the city center rundabout with the independence monument, and the elephant statues fighting two tigers. On the north side of the river lays a large pagoda.

Read more on the province capital here.

#cityscape #citylife #indepencemonument #Cambodia #sunset #hub #architecture #boomtown #city #rooftopbar #nightcup

[munichasia]

Prasat Sambor Prei Kuk - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 🇰🇭📸😊 Greetings and have a great day all. 🤗 Save, Share and Tag this pic. 💾 I love to hear your comments. ✒ ~~~~ Sambor Prei Kuk is an archaeological site in Cambodia located in Kampong Thom Province, 30 km (19 mi) north of Kampong Thom, the provincial capital, 176 km (109 mi) east of Angkor and 206 km (128 mi) north of Phnom Penh. The now ruined complex dates back to the Pre-Angkorian Chenla Kingdom (late 6th to 9th century), established by king Isanavarman I as central royal sanctuary and capital, known then as Isanapura (Khmer: ឦសានបុរៈ - Isan borak). In 2017, Sambor Prei Kuk was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. . . #asianwanderlust#discoverasia#asiatour#asiatravel#loveasia #seasia#seasiatravel#southeastasiatravel#southeastasiatrip#travelinasia#travelsoutheastasia#visitseasia#visitasia#beautifulcambodia#bestofcambodia#cambodge#cambodiaphotos#cambodiatourism#cambodiatravel#cambodiatrip#cambodia🇰🇭#camboya#explorecambodia#ig_cambodia#igerscambodia#kambodscha#kingdomofwonder#travelcambodia#visitcambodia#tlasia (at Prasat Sambor Prei Kuk) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQSp7txM39J/?utm_medium=tumblr

[gwendolynlerman]

Discovering the world

Laos 🇱🇦

Basic facts

Official name: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ (Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao) (Lao People’s Democratic Republic)

Capital city: Vientiane

Population: 7.6 million (2023)

Demonym: Laotian

Type of government: unitary socialist republic

Head of state: Thongloun Sisoulith (President)

Head of government: Sonexay Siphandone (Prime Minister)

Gross domestic product (purchasing power parity): $74.20 billion (2023)

Gini coefficient of wealth inequality: 36.4% (medium) (2012)

Human Development Index: 0.620 (medium) (2022)

Currency: kip (LAK)

Fun fact: It is the most heavily bombed country in history.

Etymology

The country’s name comes from the dominant ethnic group, the Lao people, in plural.

Geography

Laos is located in Southeast Asia and borders Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, Thailand to the west and southwest, and Myanmar and China to the northwest.

There are three main climates: monsoon-influenced humid subtropical in the east, tropical monsoon in the center and southeast, and dry-winter tropical savanna in the west. Temperatures range from 17 °C (62.6 °F) in winter to 35 °C (95 °F) in spring. The average annual temperature is 26.9 °C (80.4 °F).

The country is divided into eighteen provinces (khoueng). The largest cities in Laos are Vientiane, Savannakhet, Pakxe, Thakhek, and Luang Prabang.

History

192-1832: Kingsom of Champa

550-802: Chenla

698-1353: Muang Sua

738-902: Kingdom of Nanzhao

802-1431: Khmer Empire

902-928: Dachanghe

937-1253: Dali Kingdom

13th century-1893: Principality of Phuan

1238-1438: Sukhothai Kingdom

1292-1775: Lan Na Kingdom

1353-1707: Kingdom of Lan Xang

1707-1828: Kingdom of Vientiane

1707-1947: Kingdom of Luang Prabang

1713-1904: Kingdom of Champasak

1767-1782: Thonburi Kingdom

1782-1932: Rattanakosin Kingdom

1826-1828: Lao rebellion

1865-1890: Haw Wars

1893-1953: French Protectorate of Laos

1945-1975: Kingdom of Laos

1946-1954: First Indochina War

1958-1959: North Vietnamese invasion

1959-1975: Laotian Civil War

1975-present: Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Economy

Laos mainly imports from and exports to Thailand, China, and Vietnam. Its top exports are electrical energy, manioc, and gold.

It has bauxite, coal, copper, gold, and tin reserves. Services represent 45.9% of the GDP, followed by industry (33.2%) and agriculture (20.9%).

Laos is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the East Asia Summit, and la Francophonie.

Demographics

53.2% of the population is Lao, followed by the Khmu (11%), Hmong (9.2%), Phu Thai (3.4%), Tai (3.1%), Makong (2.5%), Katang (2.2%), Lue (2%), and Akha (1.8%). The main religion is Buddhism, practiced by 66% of the population, the majority of which is Theravada Buddhist.

It has a negative net migration rate and a fertility rate of 2.4 children per woman. 33% of the population lives in urban areas. Life expectancy is 67 years and the median age is 19.3 years. The literacy rate is 73%.

Languages

The official language of the country is Lao. French is used in commerce and government.

Culture

Men become Buddhist monks at some point in their lives and are fed and cared for by their local community. Laotian people believe in not taking actions too quickly or seriously.

Men traditionally wear a tailored jacket, a rectangular cloth wrapped around the waist (sampot), and a shawl (pha biang). Women wear a silk blouse (suea pat), a long skirt (sinh), and a pha biang.

Architecture

Traditional houses in Laos are built on stilts and have wooden walls, thatched roofs, and large porches.

Cuisine

The Laotian diet is based on meat, rice, and vegetables. Typical dishes include keng no mai (a soup of bamboo, meat, mushrooms, and pumpkin), khao jee (baked sticky rice seasoned with eggs), khao lam (sticky rice with red beans, coconut, and sugar in a bamboo stick), larb (a spicy salad of minced meat or fish and vegetables), and tam som (a salad of chili peppers, fish sauce, lime juice, green papaya, and tomatoes).

Holidays and festivals

Laos commemorates New Year’s Day, Chinese and Vietnamese New Year, International Women’s Day, and Labor Day.

Specific Laotian holidays include Armed Forces Day on January 20, Lao New Year on April 14-16, Lao National Day on December 2, Boun Khoun Khao (celebration of rice harvest), Māgha Pūjā (commemoration of a speech given by Buddha), Boun Khao Chi (offerings festival), Vessantara Festival (celebration of Buddha’s reincarnation), Rocket Festival, Buddha Day, Boun Khao Phansa (Lent), Haw Khao Padap Din (Day of the Dead), Boun Khao Salak (Ancestor Festival), Boun Ork Phansa (end of Lent), Boat Racing Festival, and That Luang Festival.

Boun Khao Salak

Other celebrations include the Festival of Floating Boats of Light, when families make a small boat with candles, flowers, and incense; the Sayaboury Elephant Festival, which aims to promote awareness of elephants’ endangered status, and the What Phou Festival, when people climb a hill and make offerings.

Festival of Floating Boats of Light

Landmarks

There are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Plain of Jars, Town of Luang Prabang, and Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape.

Plain of Jars

Other landmarks include the Kuang Si Falls, Mount Phousi, the Pak Ou Caves, the Pha That Luang temple, and the Wat Xieng Thong temple.

Phat That Luang

Famous people

Annita Chanthrasomboune - singer

Bryan Thao Worra - poet

Chloe Dao - fashion designer

Ken Lo - actor and martial artist

Mai Neng Moua - writer

Steffinnie Phrommany - actress

Taiy Akard - singer

Vilayphone Vongphachanh - swimmer

Visay Phaphouvanin - soccer player

Vong Phaophanit - artist

Chloe Dao

You can find out more about life in Laos in this article and this video.

[jasfhercallejo]

According to the owner of Isann Lodge, the name “Isann” was derived from Iśāna, a manifestation of Shiva as the deity of the northeast, and the Sanskrit word for northeast. The term “Isann” also comes from Isanapura, the old capital of the Chenla kingdom of Cambodia predating the Angkor civilization. In present day Cambodia, the northeast is known as Cambodia’s last frontier - the fertile lands of the mountains and the winds where the kingdom’s last remaining pristine forests and indigenous tribes are found, and also home to its coffee lands and wild elephants. Isann Lodge is a tribute to this magical place.

This place was a nice retreat for us, and it’s about 20 min from town by tuktuk. The rooms are nicely designed and are very comfortable because they are damn spacious. I had a room by myself which can actually fit my whole family. Each room had airconditioning, and the bathrooms had bathtubs. A beautiful big pool, which is designed to blend in the green garden, is also found infront of the mini bar. It is also notable that everyone who works at the hotel – from the gardener to the staff managing the house – work very hard to make everything work perfectly.  We had the entire place to ourselves so privacy was no problem.

The owner also owns an amazing restaurant named Mahob, which we tried for our lunch. We had some Beef with Red Ants (a must try local delicacy beef with organic red ant, lemongrass, and holy basil), Cambodian Chicken Curry (Cambodian chicken curry with sweet potatoes, long bean, and mixed vegetables), and Young Pork Spare Rib in Palm Sugar (slow braised young pork rib with cinnamon and Kampong Spoeu palm sugar, served with pan fried egg and sauteed green vegetable). This culinary adventure is inspired by the authentic cuisine of Cambodia’s northeast, where farm to table freshness is the key. The chef has lived in numerous countries in Asia that allowed him to produce an exciting array of fusion food.

Sister Srey, a funky and fun cafe on the riverfront near Psar Chaa, offers an ambitious breakfast menu, including eggs bene-delicious, that is perfect after a sunrise at the temples. Lunch is Western food with a creative twist, including burgers, wraps and salads. We ended up staying here for two hours in Sister Srey Cafe while waiting for our circus show. Prices aren’t fantastic as you’ll pay a bit more for this place compared to other Khmer restaurants, but it’s all organic, chemical free etc. and tasted really nice!. It’s right next to the river and close to Pub Street.

Alternatively browse through the collection of handcrafted products from local NGOs or peruse the book collection and curl up in the rattan chairs, or perch on the bar stools overlooking the river. This is a laid-back hang-out, that stays open until 19:00, and will reward any visit, whether you’re up for breakfast, brunch or lunch, or just a chance to watch the world go by.

Cambodia’s answer to Cirque du Soleil, Phare the Cambodian Circus is so much more than a conventional circus, with an emphasis on performance art and a subtle yet striking social message behind each production.

The circus was an incredible hour of traditional and modern theatre, music, dance, acrobatic, athleticism, juggling and contortion all beautifully choreographed and performed in stories about Cambodian lives and society: historical, folk and modern. Not to mention the famous smiles and slapstick humour that the Cambodian people are known for. The young circus artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm and talent.

There is not much I can say about Phare the Cambodian Circus that hasn’t already been said in other reviews. It is fantastic, well worth the money, and is a great way to spend an evening in Siem Reap. The performers used to be street kids, and it’s amazing to see what they have accomplished. Knowing the story behind the performers and what the organization wants to accomplish made the experience even more meaningful. An absolute must see.

[utrips2cambodia]

Day Trip to Sambor Pre Kuk Temple Group in Kampong Thon City

7:30AM or 8:00AM Pick up at your hotels, guest houses we take about 1hr/30 drive to stop having breakfast with local restaurant at Kampong Kdei District and then we continue to drive about 1hr/30 we will be Kompong Thom city that is one of the city near Tonle Sap Lake as it is locally known the biggest lake in southeast Asia with fresh water, then just driver around 20minutes more we will reach to Sambor Pre Kuk Temple Group was build between 6-7th Century by Chenla Kingdom.

We will have some lunch at local restaurant over there after we visited hole temple complex of Sambor Pre Kuk and next go back to Siem Reap City at the end of the tour.

[amoorikannationaltreasure]

After the A.D. 1st century complex polities began emerging in what is now Cambodia. The most powerful of these was known as Funan by the Chinese, and may have existed across an area between Ba Phnom in Prey Veng Province and Oc-Eo in Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam. Funan was a contemporary of Champasak in southern Laos (then known as Kuruksetra) and other lesser fiefdoms in the region. [Source: Lonely Planet]  Funan was the first large Southeast Asian civilization. It was centered on the lower Mekong Delta in present-day Cambodia and Vietnam and stretched into Thailand, and, possibly, Malaysia. Funan lasted from the A.D. 1st century to 7th century. Archeologists are still not sure where the Funanese capital was. They are currently excavating a site at Angkor Borei in Cambodia, which they think may have been it. Funan is a Chinese name, and it may be a transliteration of the ancient Khmer word bnam (mountain). What the Funanese called themselves, however, is not known. Although very little is known about Funan, much has been made of its importance as an early Southeast Asian centre of power.  Even the Chinese, who considered most everyone around them to be Barbarians, marveled over Funan's treasures of gems and gold. Funan was a convenient stopover point for Hindu traders on their way to China. The Funanese were in power when Hinduism and Buddhism were introduced to Southeast Asia.  Funan, the earliest of the Indianized states in Southeast Asia, generally is considered by Cambodians to have been the first Khmer kingdom in the area. Its capital, Vyadhapura, probably was located near the present-day town of Phumi Banam in Prey Veng Province. The earliest historical reference to Funan is a Chinese description of a mission that visited the country in the third century A.D. Funan reached its zenith in the fifth century A.D.. Beginning in the early sixth century, civil wars and dynastic strife undermined Funan's stability, making it relatively easy prey to incursions by hostile neighbors. By the end of the seventh century, a northern neighbor, the kingdom of Chenla, had reduced Funan to a vassal state. [Library of Congress] http://factsanddetails.com/asian/cat62/sub406/entry-2814.html

[countries-of-the-world-en-blog]

Cambodia

"Kingdom of Cambodia" redirects here. For the post-independence era, see Kingdom of Cambodia (1953–70). For the song, see Cambodia (song). Coordinates: 13°N 105°E / 13°N 105°E / 13; 105 Cambodia (i/kæmˈboʊdiə/; Khmer: កម្ពុជា, Kampuchea, IPA: [kɑmpuˈciə]), officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia (Khmer: ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា, Preăh Réachéanachâk Kâmpŭchéa, IPA: [ˈprĕəh riəciənaːˈcɑk kɑmpuˈciə]), is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is 181,035 square kilometres (69,898 sq mi) in area, bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. Cambodia has a population of over 15 million. The official religion is Theravada Buddhism, practised by approximately 95 percent of the population. The country's minority groups include Vietnamese, Chinese, Chams, and 30 hill tribes. The capital and largest city is Phnom Penh, the political, economic, and cultural centre of Cambodia. The kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with Norodom Sihamoni, a monarch chosen by the Royal Throne Council, as head of state. The head of government is Hun Sen, who is currently the longest serving non-royal leader in South East Asia and has ruled Cambodia for over 25 years. In 802 AD, Jayavarman II declared himself king, uniting the warring Khmer princes of Chenla under the name "Kambuja". This marked the beginning of the Khmer Empire which flourished for over 600 years, allowing successive kings to control and exert influence over much of Southeast Asia and accumulate immense power and wealth. The Indianized kingdom built monumental temples including Angkor Wat, now a World Heritage Site, and facilitated the spread of first Hinduism, then Buddhism to much of Southeast Asia. After the fall of Angkor to Ayutthaya in the 15th century, a reduced and weakened Cambodia was then ruled as a vassal state by its neighbours. In 1863 Cambodia became a protectorate of France which doubled the size of the country by reclaiming the north and west from Thailand. Cambodia gained independence in 1953. The Vietnam War extended into the country with the US bombing of Cambodia from 1969 until 1973. Following the Cambodian coup of 1970, the deposed king gave his support to his former enemies, the Khmer Rouge. The Khmer Rouge emerged as a major power, taking Phnom Penh in 1975 and later carrying out the Cambodian Genocide from 1975 until 1979, when they were ousted by Vietnam and the Vietnamese backed People's Republic of Kampuchea in the Cambodian–Vietnamese War (1979–91). Following the 1991 Paris Peace Accords Cambodia was governed briefly by a United Nations mission (1992–93). The UN withdrew after holding elections in which around 90 percent of the registered voters cast ballots. The 1997 coup placed power solely in the hands of Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Cambodian People's Party, who remain in power as of 2016[update]. The country faces numerous challenges. Important sociopolitical issues includes widespread poverty, pervasive corruption, lack of political freedoms, low human development, and a high rate of hunger. Cambodia has been described by Human Rights Watch's Southeast Asian Director, David Roberts, as a "vaguely communist free-market state with a relatively authoritarian coalition ruling over a superficial democracy." While per capita income remains low compared to most neighbouring countries, Cambodia has one of the fastest growing economies in Asia with growth averaging 6 percent over the last decade. Agriculture remains the dominant economic sector, with strong growth in textiles, construction, garments, and tourism leading to increased foreign investment and international trade. Cambodia scored dismally in an annual index (2015) ranking the rule of law in 102 countries, placing 99th overall and the worst in the region. Cambodia also faces environmental destruction as an imminent problem. The most severe activity in this regard is considered to be the countrywide deforesting, which also involves national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Overall, environmental destruction in Cambodia comprise many different activities, including illegal loggings, poaching of endangered and endemic species, and destruction of important wildlife habitats from large scale construction projects and agricultural businesses. The degrading activities involves both the local population, Cambodian businesses and political authorities, as well as foreign criminal syndicates and many transnational corporations from all over the world. More details Android, Windows

[history-states-en-blog]

History of Cambodia

The history of Cambodia, a country in mainland Southeast Asia, can be traced back to at least the 5th millennium BC. Detailed records of a political structure on the territory of what is now Cambodia first appear in Chinese annals in reference to Funan, a polity that encompassed the southernmost part of the Indochinese peninsula during the 1st to 6th centuries. Centered at the lower Mekong, Funan is noted as the oldest regional Hindu culture, which suggests prolonged socio-economic interaction with maritime trading partners of the Indosphere in the west. By the 6th century a civilisation, called Chenla or Zhenla in Chinese annals, firmly replaced Funan, as it controlled larger, more undulating areas of Indochina and maintained more than a singular centre of power. The Khmer Empire was established by the early 9th century. Sources refer here to a mythical initiation and consecration ceremony to claim political legitimacy by founder Jayavarman II at Mount Kulen (Mount Mahendra) in 802 C.E. A succession of powerful sovereigns, continuing the Hindu devaraja cult tradition, reigned over the classical era of Khmer civilization until the 11th century. A new dynasty of provincial origin introduced Buddhism, which according to some scholars resulted in royal religious discontinuities and general decline. The royal chronology ends in the 14th century. Great achievements in administration, agriculture, architecture, hydrology, logistics, urban planning and the arts are testimony to a creative and progressive civilisation - in its complexity a cornerstone of Southeast Asian cultural legacy. The decline continued through a transitional period of approximately 100 years followed by the Middle Period of Cambodian history, also called the Dark ages of Cambodia, beginning in the mid 15th century. Although the Hindu cults had by then been all but replaced, the monument sites at the old capital remained an important spiritual centre. Yet since the mid 15th century the core population steadily moved to the east and - with brief exceptions - settled at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers at Chaktomuk, Longvek and Oudong. Maritime trade was the basis for a very prosperous 16th century. But, as a result foreigners - Muslim Malays and Cham, Christian European adventurers and missionaries - increasingly disturbed and influenced government affairs. Ambiguous fortunes, a robust economy on the one hand and a disturbed culture and compromised royalty on the other were constant features of the Longvek era. By the 15th century, the Khmers' traditional neighbours, the Mon people in the west and the Cham people in the east had gradually been pushed aside or replaced by the resilient Siamese/Thai and Annamese/Vietnamese, respectively. These powers had perceived, understood and increasingly followed the imperative of controlling the lower Mekong basin as the key to control all Indochina. A weak Khmer kingdom only encouraged the strategists in Ayutthaya (later in Bangkok) and in Huế. Attacks on and conquests of Khmer royal residences left sovereigns without a ceremonial and legitimate power base. Interference in succession and marriage policies added to the decay of royal prestige. Oudong was established in 1601 as the last royal residence of the Middle Period. The 19th century arrival of then technologically more advanced and ambitious European colonial powers with concrete policies of global control put an end to regional feuds and as Siam/Thailand, although humiliated and on the retreat, escaped colonisation as a buffer state, Vietnam was to be the focal point of French colonial ambition. Cambodia, although largely neglected, had entered the Indochinese Union as a perceived entity and was capable to carry and reclaim its identity and integrity into modernity. After 80 years of colonial hibernation, the brief episode of Japanese occupation during World War II, that coincided with the investiture of king Sihanouk was the opening act for the irreversible process towards re-emancipation and modern Cambodian history. The Kingdom of Cambodia (1953–70), independent since 1953, struggled to remain neutral in a world shaped by polarisation of the nuclear powers USA and Soviet Union. As the Indochinese war escalates, Cambodia becomes increasingly involved, the Khmer Republic is one of the results in 1970, another is civil war. 1975, abandoned and in the hands of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia endures its darkest hour - Democratic Kampuchea and its long aftermath of Vietnamese occupation, the People's Republic of Kampuchea and the UN Mandate towards Modern Cambodia since 1993. More details Android, Windows