Regions of Cambodia

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In Cambodia's northeast corner is its most primitive and remote province, Rattanakiri, one of four provinces home to several hilltribes. These groups are not ethnic Khmer as are most Cambodians, and they occupy a mountainous and isolated area of rainforest. They are mostly subsistence farmers and rubber plantation workers. People also raise tobacco. This is an area of poverty and high infant mortality.

Waterfall above Ban Lung.	Woven walled house.

Papaya picker with betelnut stained teeth.

The south coast is an area of mangroves and palm studded sandy beaches. Cambodia's only port, Sihanoukville, is located there. Islands in the area are beautiful and accessible by boat and most people fish or work at the port. Tourists stay in small hotels along the beach. Ream National Park protects the mangrove ecosystem from extinction, and tourists can explore this resource using local guides.

Cabanas at Ochatiel Beach.	Beach near Sihanoukville

 

Children play in the surf.	Coastal palms near Sihanoukville.

Elephant Mountains between Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh is the largest and most developed city in Cambodia. This once beautiful capitol city is in the process of rebuilding. Architecture is a mix of Khmer and French, with several markets in the middle of town. People play soccer and volleyball, and fly kites on the plaza. Two large rivers converge here, the Tonle Sap and the Mekong. There are modern hotels, largely owned by foreign companies; one of these hosts a large gambling facility. Like many big cities in Asia, prostitution and poverty are problems. As the government becomes more stable, agencies will be able to address solutions to these situations.

Central market.	Tevea Vinichhay Pavillion at the Royal Palace.

Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers.

The Tonle Sap (Great Lake) is a huge lake in central Cambodia. It swells from 3000 square kilometers in the dry season to over 7500 square kilometers during the monsoons, due to a rise in the level of the Mekong River which flows into it. Soil is extremely fertile along its banks, and the vast majority of Cambodians live here. In addition to ethnic Khmers, backgrounds of farmers and fisher people here range from Vietnamese, who fish, to Chinese, who are successful farmers.

Battambang, Cambodia's second largest city, is located in the west. It used to be the country's rice bowl area, but the problem with landmines which were placed during the many years of war, makes it hazardous to farm and discouraging to tourists. In the past, there have also been problems with refugees returning from camps along the Thai border. See http://www.btinternet.com/~andy.brouwer/batt99.htm for more recent pictures and information.

Path in farm village near Tonle Sap.	Rice field near Tonle Sap.

Vietnamese fisher people.