Cambodia Population and People
The people of Cambodia are among the most resilient people on Earth. Having experienced years of tortuous war, poverty and horror, they remain courteous, friendly and welcoming.
You’ll love the constant array of gentle and smiling faces and the best compliment to pay your hosts is to remain cool-tempered, calm and ready for some warm acquaintance, fun and even laughter.
Cambodia’s population stands at an estimated 16 million, of which the Khmer make up 90%. Other groups include Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai and Burmese and various ethnic hill tribes. Many of the hill tribes live in the mountainous regions to the north and southwest of the country.
Cambodian Language
Cambodia’s official language is Khmer, and this is spoken by the majority of the population. Even so, Vietnamese and several Chinese dialects can also be heard spoken here. Unlike the languages of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and China, Khmer is non-tonal and has also picked up and adapted many words from Sanskrit and Pali. Khmer has also borrowed many terms from Chinese and European languages, particularly French.
The roots of written Khmer derive from a South Indian alphabet. It uses 33 consonants, 24 dependent vowels, 12 independent vowels, and diacritic markers. Vowels may be written before, after, over, or under a consonant symbol. About 50% of the Cambodian population is literate.
Religion in Cambodia
The state religion of Theravada Buddhism was first introduced to Cambodia during the days of the great Angkor kingdom, and it prospered ever since. For centuries, monks were the only literate people residing in rural communities and filled the important role of teachers.
However, in 1975, the Khmer Rouge massacred the majority of them and destroyed most of their temples and it was not until after the Vietnamese invasion that Buddhism was once again openly practiced.
A brief history of Cambodia
Cambodia is a country founded on history and heritage. From the French colonial era to the horrifying rule of the Khmer rouge, Cambodia has seen some tough times.
The resilience of its people is astounding, though, and they have managed to turn previous affliction into hope for the future.
The country is so marked by its history, from its recent political turmoils to its ancient kingdoms, and as such, any trip to Cambodia is incomplete without an exploration into its important past.
Dating from before the 10th century, the infamous Angkor temples are Cambodia’s biggest tourist draw. You can spend days exploring the incredible architecture – no two temples are alike!
In Phnom Penh, the sobering Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum are now tourist attractions that pay homage to the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. There are also beautiful palaces and temples to discover in Phnom Penh and beyond, which showcase a different side to the history of Cambodia.
