Cambodia Primer

Some basics on the Kingdom of Cambodia -



Cambodia is a small constitutional monarchy located in the heart of Southeast Asia. With a population of roughly 14M, Cambodia is far less populated than its neighbors Vietnam and Thailand to the East and West. The predominant ethnic group and language is Khmer. Cambodia is a developing nation, ranking in the lowest quartile of the world's economies, with a per capita GDP currently estimated at approx. $600 per year. Cambodia's primary industry is agriculture, accounting for about 60% of economic output; textile and tourism industries are also developing. Most Cambodians are Theravada Buddhists, although small Christian, Muslim, and Animist religious minorities are present.

Cambodian history is marked by profound tragedy. In most recent memory is the genocide that occured about 30 years ago at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, a communist regime that controlled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. This genocide brutally exterminated nearly a quarter of Cambodia's population in an effort to create a classless agricultural society. Anyone with any level of education or leadership was exterminated; the remainder of the population was forced into labor camps.

All economic progress was stopped - books, money, schools, hospitals were destroyed. Millions were killed.

Although the Khmer Rouge were deposed in the early 1980s (primarily by the Vietnamese), few were ever held formally accountable for their crimes against humanity, and many former leaders remain within the citizenry of Cambodia.

Since the downfall of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia has struggled to rebuild its most basic infrastructure. In the past few years, Cambodia has made great progress; however, the complete destruction of the society less than two generations ago has left an indelible imprint on the country. Lack of effective public services and government organizations, compounded by desperate poverty, has Cambodia in a tough situation. Many international organizations are providing much needed aid, and Cambodia's future is bright.