Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh (/(pə)ˌnɒm ˈpɛn, ˌpnɒm -/;[5][6][7] Khmer: ភ្នំពេញ, romanized: phnum pɨñ, IPA: [pʰnʊm ˈpɨɲ]; literally "Penh's Hill"), formerly known as Krong Chaktomuk Serimongkul (Khmer: ក្រុងចតុមុខសិរីមង្គល, lit. 'City of the Brahma's Faces') or shortly known as Krong Chaktomuk (Khmer: ក្រុងចតុមុខ),[8] is the capital and most populous city in Cambodia. Phnom Penh has been the national capital since French colonization of Cambodia, and has grown to become the nation's economic, industrial, and cultural center.

Phnom Penh

រាជធានីភ្នំពេញ
Autonomous municipality[1]
ក្រុងភ្នំពេញ
Phnom Penh City ·Ville de Phnom Penh  (French)
Nickname(s): 
Pearl of Asia (pre-1960s)
The Charming City
Phnom Penh
Location within Cambodia
Phnom Penh
Location within Asia
Coordinates: 11°34′10″N 104°55′16″E
Country Cambodia
Founded1372
Capital status1434–1497
Capital re-established1865
Named forWat Phnom
Subdivisions14 districts (khans)[2]
Government
 • TypeMunicipal council
 • GovernorKhuong Sreng (CPP)
 • National Assembly
12 / 125
Area
 • Total679 km2 (262 sq mi)
Area rank24th
Elevation
11.89 m (39.01 ft)
Population
 (2019 census)[3]
 • Total 2,129,371
 • Rank1st
 • Density3,136/km2 (8,120/sq mi)
 • Density rank1st
Demonym(s)Phnom Penher
(French: Phnom Penhois(e))
Time zoneUTC+07:00 (ICT)
Area code(s)+855 (023)
HDI (2017)0.712[4]
high · 1st
Websitewww.phnompenh.gov.kh/

Once known as the "Pearl of Asia," it was considered one of the loveliest French-built cities in Indochina[9] in the 1920s. Phnom Penh, along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, are significant global and domestic tourist destinations for Cambodia. Founded in 1372, the city is noted for its historical architecture and attractions. It became the national capital in 1434 following the fall of Angkor, and remained so until 1497.[10] It regained its capital status during the French colonial era in 1865. There are a number of surviving colonial-era buildings scattered along the grand boulevards.

On the banks of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac Rivers, Phnom Penh is home to more than 2 million people, approximately 14% of the Cambodian population.[3] The Phnom Penh metropolitan area includes 5 districts of Kandal Province.[11]

Etymology

Phnom Penh (literally, 'Penh's Hill') takes its name from the present Wat Phnom ('Hill Temple'). Legend has it that in 1372, a wealthy widow named Lady Penh found a Koki tree floating down the Tonle Sap river after a storm.[12] Inside the tree were four bronze Buddha statues and a stone statue of Vishnu. Daun Penh ordered villagers to raise the height of the hill northeast of her house and used the Koki wood to build a temple on the hill to house the four Buddha statues, and a shrine for the Vishnu image slightly lower down. The temple became known as Wat Phnom Daun Penh, which is now known as Wat Phnom, a small hill 27 metres (89 ft) in height.

Phnom Penh's official name, in its short form, is Krong Chaktomok (Khmer: ក្រុងចតុមុខ) meaning "City of Four Faces". Krong Chaktomuk is an abbreviation of the full name which was given by King Ponhea Yat, Krong Chaktomuk Mongkol Sakal Kampuchea Thipadei Serey Thereak Borvor Inthabot Borei Roth Reach Seima Maha Nokor (Khmer: ក្រុងចតុមុខមង្គលសកលកម្ពុជាធិបតី សិរីធរបវរ ឥន្ទបត្តបុរី រដ្ឋរាជសីមាមហានគរ, Khmer pronunciation: [ˌkɾongˌcaʔtoʔmʊk̚ˌmʊŋkʊlˌsaʔkɑlˌkampuʔciəˌtʰɨp̚paʔdəjˌseʔɾəjˌtʰe͡aʔɾe͡aʔˌbɑːvɑːˌənte͡aʔpatˌboʔɾəjˌɾoat̚tʰaʔˌɾiəcˌsəjmaːˌmɔhaːˌnɔˈkɔː]). This loosely translates as "The place of four rivers that gives the happiness and success of Khmer Kingdom, the highest leader as well as impregnable city of the God Indra of the great kingdom".[13]

History

First recorded a century after it is said to have taken place, the legend of the founding of Phnom Penh tells of a local woman, Penh (commonly referred to as Daun Penh ("Grandmother Penh" or "Old Lady Penh") in Khmer), living at Chaktomuk, the future Phnom Penh. It was the late 14th century, and the Khmer capital was still at Angkor near Siem Reap 350 km (217 mi) to the north. Gathering firewood along the banks of the river, Lady Penh spied a floating koki tree in the river and fished it from the water. Inside the tree she found four Buddha statues and one of Vishnu.

Phnom Penh from east drawn in 1887.
Stupa of King Ponhea Yat on the top of Wat Phnom

The discovery was taken as a divine blessing, and to some a sign that the Khmer capital was to be brought to Phnom Penh from Angkor. To house the new-found sacred objects, Penh raised a small hill on the west bank of the Tonle Sap River and crowned it with a shrine, now known as Wat Phnom at the north end of central Phnom Penh. "Phnom" is Khmer for "hill" and Penh's hill took on the name of the founder, and the area around it became known after the hill.

Phnom Penh first became the capital of Cambodia after Ponhea Yat, king of the Khmer Empire, moved the capital from Angkor Thom after it was captured and destroyed by Siam a few years earlier. There is a stupa behind Wat Phnom that houses the remains of Ponhea Yat and the royal family as well as the remaining Buddhist statues from the Angkorean era. In the 17th century, Japanese immigrants also settled on the outskirts of present-day Phnom Penh.[14] A small Portuguese community survived in Phnom Penh until the 17th century, undertaking commercial and religious activity in the country.

Phnom Penh remained the royal capital for 73 years, from 1432 to 1505. It was abandoned for 360 years (from 1505 to 1865) by subsequent kings due to internal fighting between the royal pretenders. Later kings moved the capital several times and established their royal capitals at various locations in Tuol Basan (Srey Santhor), Pursat, Longvek, Lavear Em and Oudong.

It was not until 1866, under the reign of King Norodom I (1860–1904), the eldest son of King Ang Duong, who ruled on behalf of Siam, that Phnom Penh became the permanent seat of government and capital of Cambodia, and also where the current Royal Palace was built. Beginning in 1870, the French colonial authorities turned a riverside village into a city where they built hotels, schools, prisons, barracks, banks, public works offices, telegraph offices, law courts, and health services buildings. In 1872, the first glimpse of a modern city took shape when the colonial administration employed the services of French contractor Le Faucheur to construct the first 300 concrete houses for sale and rental to Chinese traders.

By the 1920s, Phnom Penh was known as the "Pearl of Asia", and over the next four decades, Phnom Penh continued to experience rapid growth with the building of railways to Sihanoukville and Pochentong International Airport (now Phnom Penh International Airport). Phnom Penh's infrastructure saw major modernisation under the rule of Sihanouk.[15]

During the Vietnam War, Cambodia was used as a base by the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and the Viet Cong (VC) and thousands of refugees from across the country flooded the city to escape the fighting between their own government troops, the PAVN/VC, the South Vietnamese and its allies and the Khmer Rouge and the American air strikes. By 1975, the population was 2–3 million, the bulk of whom were refugees from the fighting.[16] The Khmer Rouge cut off supplies to the city for more than a year before it fell on April 17, 1975.[12] Reports from journalists stated that the Khmer Rouge shelling "tortured the capital almost continuously," inflicting "random death and mutilation" on millions of trapped civilians.[17] The Khmer Rouge forcibly evacuated the entire city after taking it, in what has been described as a death march: François Ponchaud wrote that "I shall never forget one cripple who had neither hands nor feet, writhing along the ground like a severed worm, or a weeping father carrying his ten-year old daughter wrapped in a sheet tied around his neck like a sling, or the man with his foot dangling at the end of a leg to which it was attached by nothing but skin";[18] Jon Swain recalled that the Khmer Rouge were "tipping out patients from the hospitals like garbage into the streets....In five years of war, this is the greatest caravan of human misery I have seen."[19] All of its residents, including the wealthy and educated, were evacuated from the city and forced to do difficult labour on rural farms as "new people".[20] Tuol Sleng High School was taken over by Pol Pot's forces and was turned into the S-21 prison camp, where people were detained and tortured. Pol Pot sought a return to an agrarian economy and therefore killed many people perceived as educated, "lazy" or political enemies. Many others starved to death as a result of failure of the agrarian society and the sale of Cambodia's rice to China in exchange for bullets and weaponry. The former high school is now the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, where Khmer Rouge torture devices and photos of their victims are displayed. Choeung Ek (The Killing Fields), 15 kilometers (9 mi) away, where the Khmer Rouge marched prisoners from Tuol Sleng to be murdered and buried in shallow pits, is also now a memorial to those who were killed by the regime.

The Khmer Rouge were driven out of Phnom Penh by the PAVN in 1979,[21] and people began to return to the city. Vietnam is historically a state with which Cambodia has had many conflicts, therefore this liberation was and is viewed with mixed emotions by the Cambodians. A period of reconstruction began, spurred by the continuing stability of government, attracting new foreign investment and aid by countries including France, Australia, and Japan. Loans were made from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank to reinstate a clean water supply, roads and other infrastructure. The 1998 Census put Phnom Penh's population at 862,000;[22] and the 2008 census was 1.3 million.[23]

Geography

Phnom Penh is in the south-central region of Cambodia, and is fully surrounded by Kandal Province. The municipality is on the banks of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac Rivers. These rivers provide freshwater and other natural resources to the city. Phnom Penh and the surrounding areas consist of a typical flood plain area for Cambodia. Although Phnom Penh is at 11.89 metres (39 ft) above the river, monsoon season flooding is a problem, and the river sometimes overflows its banks.

The city, at 11.55°N 104.91667°E / 11.55; 104.91667 (11°33' North, 104°55' East),[24] covers an area of 678.46 square kilometres (262 sq mi), with some 11,401 hectares (28,172 acres) in the municipality and 26,106 ha (64,509 acres) of roads. The agricultural land in the municipality amounts to 34.685 km2 (13 sq mi) with some 1.476 km2 (365 acres) under irrigation.

Climate

Phnom Penh has a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). The climate is hot year-round with only minor variations. Temperatures typically range from 22 to 35 °C (72 to 95 °F) and weather is subject to the tropical monsoons. The southwest monsoon blows inland bringing moisture-laden winds from the Gulf of Thailand and Indian Ocean from May to November. The northeast monsoon ushers in the dry season, which lasts from December to April. The city experiences the heaviest precipitation from September to October with the driest period in January and February.

The city has two distinct seasons. The rainy season, which runs from May to November, sees high temperatures accompanied by high humidity. The dry season lasts from December to April; when overnight temperatures can drop to 22 °C (72 °F).

Climate data for Phnom Penh (temperature: 1988–2013, extremes: 1906–2013)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 36.1
(97.0)		 38.1
(100.6)		 40.0
(104.0)		 40.5
(104.9)		 40.0
(104.0)		 39.2
(102.6)		 37.2
(99.0)		 37.8
(100.0)		 35.5
(95.9)		 36.1
(97.0)		 34.4
(93.9)		 37.2
(99.0)		 40.5
(104.9)
Average high °C (°F) 31.6
(88.9)		 33.2
(91.8)		 34.6
(94.3)		 35.3
(95.5)		 34.8
(94.6)		 33.8
(92.8)		 32.9
(91.2)		 32.7
(90.9)		 32.2
(90.0)		 31.4
(88.5)		 31.1
(88.0)		 30.8
(87.4)		 32.9
(91.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26.6
(79.9)		 28.0
(82.4)		 29.4
(84.9)		 30.2
(86.4)		 30.0
(86.0)		 29.2
(84.6)		 28.7
(83.7)		 28.5
(83.3)		 28.2
(82.8)		 27.2
(81.0)		 27.1
(80.8)		 26.3
(79.3)		 28.3
(82.9)
Average low °C (°F) 21.8
(71.2)		 22.8
(73.0)		 24.3
(75.7)		 25.5
(77.9)		 25.6
(78.1)		 24.9
(76.8)		 24.8
(76.6)		 24.6
(76.3)		 24.4
(75.9)		 24.2
(75.6)		 23.2
(73.8)		 21.9
(71.4)		 24.0
(75.2)
Record low °C (°F) 12.8
(55.0)		 15.2
(59.4)		 19.0
(66.2)		 17.8
(64.0)		 20.6
(69.1)		 21.2
(70.2)		 20.1
(68.2)		 20.0
(68.0)		 21.1
(70.0)		 17.2
(63.0)		 16.7
(62.1)		 14.4
(57.9)		 12.8
(55.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 12.1
(0.48)		 6.6
(0.26)		 34.8
(1.37)		 78.8
(3.10)		 118.2
(4.65)		 145.0
(5.71)		 162.1
(6.38)		 182.7
(7.19)		 270.9
(10.67)		 248.1
(9.77)		 120.5
(4.74)		 32.1
(1.26)		 1,411.9
(55.58)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) 1.2 1.1 3.4 6.8 15.9 17.0 18.1 18.3 21.5 19.3 10.2 4.5 137.3
Average relative humidity (%) 73 71 71 73 77 78 80 81 84 84 78 73 77
Mean monthly sunshine hours 260 226 267 240 202 192 143 174 129 202 213 242 2,490
Source 1: Deutscher Wetterdienst[25]
Source 2: Danish Meteorological Institute (sun, 1931–1960)[26]

Administration
Phnom Penh City Hall

Phnom Penh is a municipality of area 678.46 square kilometres (261.95 sq mi) with a government status equal to that of Cambodian provinces. The municipality is divided into 14 administrative divisions called khans (sections). The sections are subdivided into 105 sangkats (quarters), and further subdivided into 953 phums (villages).[27] All khans are under the governance of the Phnom Penh Municipality. Dangkao, Meanchey, Porsenchey, Sen Sok and Russei Keo are considered the outskirts of the city.

The municipality is governed by the governor who acts as the top executive of the city as well as overseeing the Municipal Military Police, Municipal Police, and Bureau of Urban Affairs. Below the governor is the first vice governor and five vice governors. The chief of cabinet, who holds the same status as the vice governors, heads the cabinet consisting of eight deputy chiefs of cabinet who in turn are in charge of the 27 administrative departments. Every khan (district) also has a chief.[28]

List of Phnom Penh Administrative Sections
ISO Code Section Khmer Number of quarters Number of villages Population as of 2008
12-01Chamkar Monខណ្ឌចំការមន540182,004
12-02Doun Penhខណ្ឌដូនពេញ11134126,550
12-03Prampir Makaraខណ្ឌប្រាំពីរមករា86691,895
12-04Tuol Korkខណ្ឌទួលគោក10143171,200
12-05Dangkaoខណ្ឌដង្កោ1281257,724
12-06Mean Cheyខណ្ឌមានជ័យ759327,801
12-07Russey Keoខណ្ឌឫស្សីកែវ730196,684
12-08Sen Sokខណ្ឌសែនសុខ647147,967
12-09Por Sencheyខណ្ឌពោធិ៍សែនជ័យ775183 826
12-10Chroy Changvarខណ្ឌជ្រោយចង្វារ52219,512
12-11Prek Pnovខណ្ឌព្រែកព្នៅ55912,743
12-12Chbar Ampovខណ្ឌច្បារអំពៅ84924,879
12-13 Boeng Keng Kang ខណ្ឌបឹងកេងកង 7 55
12-14 Kamboul ខណ្ឌកំបូល 7 93

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1950334,000—    
1960398,000+1.77%
1970457,000+1.39%
1975370,000−4.14%
197832,000−55.78%
1980189,000+143.03%
1985351,000+13.18%
1990634,000+12.55%
1995925,000+7.85%
20001,284,000+6.78%
20051,677,000+5.49%
20102,101,725+4.62%

As of 2019, Phnom Penh had a population of 2,129,371 people, with a total population density of 3,136 inhabitants per square kilometre in a 679 square kilometres (262 sq mi) city area.[3] The population growth rate of the city is 3.92%. The city area has grown fourfold since 1979, and the metro area will continue to expand in order to support the city's growing population and economy.

A survey by the National Institute of Statistics in 2017 showed that 95.3% of the population in Phnom Penh are Khmer, 4% Chams, and 0.7% others, predominantly Chinese, Vietnamese, and other small ethnic groups who are Thai, Budong, Mnong Preh, Kuy, Chong, and Chams.[29] The state religion is Theravada Buddhism. More than 90% of the people in Phnom Penh are Buddhists. Chams have been practicing Islam for hundreds of years. Since 1993, there has also been an increase in the practice of Christianity which was practically wiped out after 1975 when the Khmer Rouge took over. The official language is Khmer, but English and French are widely used in the city.

The number of slum-inhabitants at the end of 2012 was 105,771, compared with 85,807 at the start of 2012.[30]

Note: As stated in the "History" paragraph (The 1998 Census put Phnom Penh's population at 862,000;[22] and the 2008 census was 1.3 million.[23]) the information collides with the information provided in the "Historical population" table. Needs editing.

Politics
The National Assembly building of Cambodia
Supreme Court Building
See also: Phnom Penh (National Assembly constituency)

Phnom Penh is allocated 12 seats in the National Assembly, making it the largest constituency.

Members of Parliament
Name Political Party
1 Pa SocheatvongCambodian People's Party
2 Ith Sam HengCambodian People's Party
3 Mam BunhengCambodian People's Party
4 Ing Kuntha PhaviCambodian People's Party
5 Kep ChuktemaCambodian People's Party
6 Hou SryCambodian People's Party
7 Krouch Sam AnCambodian People's Party
8 Lauk KhengCambodian People's Party
9 Ousman HasanCambodian People's Party
10 Cheap SivonCambodian People's Party
11 Pich KimsreangCambodian People's Party
12 Ly ChhengCambodian People's Party

Economy
Phnom Penh Skyline
The Central Post Office Building
The Hong Kong Center, headquarters of oil producer Total S.A. in Cambodia

Phnom Penh is Cambodia's economic centre as it accounts for a large portion of the Cambodian economy. Double-digit economic growth rates in recent years have triggered an economic boom in Phnom Penh, with new hotels, restaurants, schools, bars, high rises and residential buildings springing up in the city.

The economy is based on commercial interests such as garments, trading, and small and medium enterprises. In the past few years the property business has been booming, with rapidly increasing real estate prices. Tourism is also a major contributor in the capital as more shopping and commercial centres open, making Phnom Penh one of the major tourist destinations in South East Asia along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, tourism made up 19.2 percent (US$2,053 million) of Cambodia's GDP in 2009 and accounts for 13.7 percent of total employment.[31] One of the most popular areas in Phnom Penh for tourists is Sisowath Quay, alongside the Tonle Sap River. Sisowath Quay is a five kilometre strip of road that includes restaurants, bars, and hotels.[32]

The US$2.6 billion new urban development, Camko City, is meant to bolster the city landscape. The Bureau of Urban Affairs of Pnochina Penh Municipality has plans to expand and construct new infrastructure to accommodate the growing population and economy. High rise buildings will be chinesely constructed at the entrance of the city and near the lakes and riverbanks. Furthermore, new roads, canals, and a railway system will be used to connect Camko City and Phnom Penh.[33]


Other projects include:

  • Grand Phnom Penh International City (under construction)
  • De Castle Royal Condominium[34] (Completed)
  • Gold Tower 42 (On hold 32 floors construction begins again in the mid of 2018)
  • OCIC Tower (Completed)
  • Kokling super second floor house
  • Vattanac Capital Tower (completed)
  • The Bridge (Completed)
  • The Peak (under construction)

With booming economic growth seen since the 1990s, new shopping venues have opened, such as Sorya Center Point, Aeon Mall Phnom Penh, Aeon Mall Sen Sok City and Olympia Mall. Many international brands have opened such as Mango, Salvatore Ferragamo, Hugo Boss, Padini Concept Store, Lily, Timberland, Jimmy Choo, CC Double O, MO, Brands Outlet, Nike, Converse, Pony, Armani Exchange, and Super Dry.

The tallest skyscraper in Phnom Penh is Vattanac Capital Tower at a height of 188 metres (617 ft), dominating Phnom Penh's skyline with its neighbour skyscraper Canadia Tower (OCIC Tower).[35] The tower was completed in December 2014. Modern high rises have been constructed all around the city, not concentrated in any one particular area.

The Central Market Phsar Thmei is a tourist attraction. The four wings of the yellow colored market are teeming with numerous stalls selling gold and silver jewelry, antique coins, clothing, clocks, flowers, food, fabrics and shoes. Phsar Thmei is undergoing under a major renovation, along with the creation of newer stalls.

Education

Universities and colleges
Buddhist Institute
Royal University of Phnom Penh Campus II
Institute of Foreign Languages
Institut de Technologie du Cambodge
English Khmer
University of Cambodia (UC)សាកលវិទ្យាល័យកម្ពុជា
Phnom Penh International University (PPIU)សាកលវិទ្យាល័យភ្នំពេញអន្តរជាតិ
École Royale d'Administration (ERA)សាលាភូមិន្ទរដ្ឋបាល
Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP)សកលវិទ្យាល័យភូមិន្ទភ្នំពេញ
Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE)សាកលវិទ្យាល័យភូមិន្ទនីតិសាស្រ្ត និង វិទ្យាសាស្រ្តសេដ្ឋកិច្ច
Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA)សាកលវិទ្យាល័យភូមិន្ទវិចិត្រសិល្បៈ
Royal University of Agriculture (RUA)សាកលវិទ្យាល័យភូមិន្ទកសិកម្ម
National University of Management (NUM)សាកលវិទ្យាល័យជាតិគ្រប់គ្រង
Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC)វិទ្យាស្ថានបច្ចេកវិទ្យាកម្ពុជា
Buddhist Instituteវិទ្យាស្ថានពុទ្ធសាសនបណ្ឌិត្យ
Royal Academy of Cambodiaរាជបណ្ឌិត្យសភាកម្ពុជា
Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Instituteវិទ្យាស្ថានស្រាវជ្រាវ និង អភិវឌ្ឍកសិកម្មកម្ពុជា
National Institute of Educationវិទ្យាស្ថានជាតិរអប់រំ
National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodiaវិទ្យាស្ថានជាតិពហុបច្ចេកទេសកម្ពុជា
National Technical Training Instituteវិទ្យាស្ថានជាតិបណ្តុះបណ្តាលបច្ចេកទេស
Prek Leap National College of Agricultureសាលាជាតិកសិកម្មព្រែកលៀប
University of Health Sciencesសាកលវិទ្យាល័យវិទ្យាសាស្រ្តសុខាភិបាល
National Institute of Businessវិទ្យាស្ថានជាតិពាណិជ្ជសាស្រ្ត
Preah Kossomak Polytechnic Instituteវិទ្យាស្ថានពហុបច្ចេកទេសព្រះកុសុមះ
Industrial Technical Instituteវិទ្យាស្ថានបច្ចេកទេសឧស្សាហកម្ម
Zaman Universityសាកលវិទ្យាល័យ ហ្សាម៉ាន់
Institute For Development of Economy (I.D.E)វិទ្យាស្ថានអភិវឌ្ឍន៍សេដ្ឋកិច្ច
Western University[36]

Primary and secondary schools
English Khmer
Lycee Sisowathវិទ្យាល័យស៊ីសុវត្ថិ
Chaktomuk Secondary Schoolអនុវិទ្យាល័យចតុមុខ
Bak Touk High Schoolវិទ្យាល័យបាក់ទូក
Chea Sim Samaky High Schoolវិទ្យាល័យជាស៊ីមសាមគ្គី
Chea Sim Beoung Kang Kong High Schoolវិទ្យាល័យជាស៊ីមបឹងកេងកង
Indradevi High Schoolវិទ្យាល័យឥន្ទ្រទេវី
Chea Sim Santhormok High Schoolវិទ្យាល័យជាស៊ីមសន្ធរម៉ុក
Chea Sim Chrouy Changvar High Schoolវិទ្យាល័យជាស៊ីមជ្រោយចង្វារ
Chbar Ampov High Schoolវិទ្យាល័យច្បារអំពៅ
Wat Koh High Schoolវិទ្យាល័យវត្តកោះ

International schools
English
CIA First International School
American Intercon School (AiS)
American Intercon Institute (AiI)
Australia Centre for Education (ACE)
Beijing International School (Chinese)
British International School of Phnom Penh
East-West International School
Harrods International Academy
Home of English International School
iCAN British International School
International School of Phnom Penh
International School of Singapore (ISPS)
Japanese School of Phnom Penh
North Bridge International School
Lycée français René Descartes de Phnom Penh (French)
South Bridge International School
Footprint International School
Zaman International School

Supplementary and extra schools
English Original Name
Japanese Supplementary School of Phnom Penh(プノンペン補習授業校, Punonpen Hoshū Jugyō Kō)
Rodwell Learning Centerសាលាបង្រៀនគួររ៉ដវែល

The Japanese Supplementary School of Phnom Penh , formerly known in English as the Phnom Penh Japanese School,[37][38] is a part-time Japanese School, operated by the Japanese Association of Cambodia (JACAM;カンボジア日本人会 Kambojia Nihonjin-kai).[39] It is in Sangkat Toek Thla in Sen Sok.[40] It was established in 2002. It had 60 students in June 2011.[41]

Culture
"Dried" version of Phnom Penh noodles with soup broth on the side

Phnom Penh also has its own dialect of Khmer. Speakers of the Phnom Penh dialect often elide syllables, which has earned it the reputation for being lazy speech. Phnom Penh is also known for its influence on New Khmer Architecture. Phnom Penh is notable for Ka tieu Phnom Penh, its variation on rice noodle soup, a dish available in sit-down cafes as well as street cafes.

Music and the arts are making a revival throughout Cambodia, especially in Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh hosts a number of music events throughout the city. 'Indie' bands (those without corporate sponsors) have grown in number due also in part to the emergence of private music schools such as SoundsKool Music (also operating in the city of Siem Reap), and Music Arts School (registered as an NGO).

The two most visited museums in the city are the National Museum, which is the country's leading historical and archaeological museum, and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former Khmer Rouge prison. The National Museum hosts celebrations of Cambodian dance and music, including a popular classic Apsara dance show of traditional folk dances as well as original creations.

Chaul Chnam Thmey April 13–15

At this time, Phnom Penh celebrates Cambodian New Year, an occasion increasingly popular with tourists. During this typically hottest part of the year, water gets thrown around adding to the party atmosphere along with dancing and music. The precise date changes year-by-year but this holiday lasts, at least, three days. This festival marks the turn of the year based on the ancient Khmer calendar and also marks the end of the prior year harvest.

Water Festival November

The largest annual festival in Phnom Penh, this lively gathering celebrates the reversing of the flow of the Tonlé Sap River. The holiday lasts three days as people flood into the city to enjoy the fireworks, boat races, live concerts, eating and partying. The boat racing dates back to ancient times marking the strengths of the Khmer marine forces during the Khmer Empire.

On 22 November 2010 at least 348 people were crushed to death in a bridge stampede at the festival.[42]

Pchum Ben October 11–15 (2012)

Pchum Ben is a very important aspect of Cambodian culture. It may be translated as "gathering together" to make offerings and is a time of reunion, commemoration, express love and appreciation for one's ancestors. By offering food and good karma to those possibly trapped in the spirit world, living relatives help assuage their misery and guide them back into the cycle of reincarnation.

Visak Bochea May

Main article: Vesākha

Vesākha is an annual holiday observed traditionally by Buddhists in Cambodia. Sometimes informally called "Buddha's Birthday", it actually encompasses the birth, enlightenment (nirvāṇa), and passing away (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha.

Cityscape and architecture
King Norodom Sihanouk Monument
Statue of Decho Yod and Decho Meas

The oldest structure is Wat Phnom from the founding days of the city, constructed in 1373. The main tourist attractions are the Royal Palace with the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum, constructed during the French colonial era in the late-19th century in the classical Khmer style and hosting a vast collection of Khmer antiquities. The Independence Monument (Khmer: Vimean Akareach), although from the 1950s, is also constructed in the ancient Khmer style.

The French, who were the colonial masters from the 19th century to the 1940s, also left their mark, with various colonial villas, French churches, boulevards, and the Art Deco market Phsar Thom Thmei. A notable landmark of the colonial era is the Hotel Le Royal.

Starting with independence from the French in the 1950s and lasting until the era of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s, Phnom Penh underwent tremendous growth as the capital city of a newly independent country. King Sihanouk was eager to present a new style of architecture and thus invigorate the process of nation building. A new golden era of architecture took off, with various projects and young Khmer architects, often educated in France, given opportunities to design and construct. This new movement was called "New Khmer Architecture" and was often characterised by a fusion of Bauhaus, European post-modern architecture, and traditional elements from Angkor. The most prominent architect was Vann Molyvann, who was nominated chief national architect by the king himself in 1956. Molyvann created landmark buildings such as the Preah Suramarit National Theatre and the Council of Ministers building. Other architects helped construct the newly founded Royal Khmer University, the Institute of Foreign Languages, and the National Sports Centre. With the growth of the upper and entrepreneurial middle

Statue of Lady Penh, the city's founder.

classes, new suburbs were built in the 1950s and 1960s. Although these buildings survived the Khmer Rouge era and the civil war, today they are under threat due to economic development and financial speculation. Villas and gardens from that era are being destroyed and redeveloped to make place for bigger structures. The landmark National Theatre by Molyvann was razed in 2008.[43] A movement is rising in Cambodia to preserve this modernist heritage. Old villas are sometimes being converted into boutique hotels, such as the Knai Bang Chatt.

Monuments and memorials to the genocide of the Khmer Rouge era in the 1970s are the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (a former high school used as a concentration camp) and, on the outskirts of the city, the Choeung Ek Genocide Center. The Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument was commissioned by the Vietnamese communists as symbol of Khmer-Vietnamese friendship during the late-1970s following the liberation of Cambodia from the Khmer Rouge.

The population, foreign investment, and urban development in Phnom Penh grew dramatically during the 1990s and early-2000s. The rapid growth resulted in the city's infrastructure distinctly lacking (the drainage system is particularly notorious, and Phnom Penh frequently floods during the wet season), and a need for both residential and commercial spaces. The simultaneous demand for residential and commercial housing and the increase of international investment has led to the planning, if not construction, of several satellite cities. The largest of these cities are: Grand Phnom Penh International City, CamKo City, Diamond Island City, Boeung Kak Town, and Chruy Cangva City.

On the outskirts of the city, farmland has been developed into garment factories and housing for lower economic classes and those displaced by the new development in the city center.

National Museum, designed in the early-1920s by George Groslier. Royal Throne Hall, constructed in the 1860s under King Norodom I. Façade, Hotel Le Royal, built in 1929 in the reign of King Sisowath Monivong. Colonial villa in Phnom Penh.
Phnom Penh city at night revealing skylines and the royal palace, viewed from the east bank of Tonle Sap river in September 2019.

2035 master plan

Originally intended to be completed by 2020, the 2035 master plan[44] is a French-funded project for the development of Phnom Penh. Although the plan was approved by the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction in 2005, it has yet to be ratified by the Cabinet of Cambodia. The original plan details five edge-city projects connected to the historical city centre by waterways and tree-lined corridors.[45]

Media

Dailies

Khmer

English
  • Phnom Penh Post, a daily English-language newspaper published in Phnom Penh.
  • The Cambodia Daily, an English-language daily newspaper (closed in 2017).
  • The Khmer Times, an English-language daily newspaper.

Chinese
  • 《柬華日報》(Jianhua Daily), a daily Chinese-language newspaper published in Phnom Penh.
  • 《星洲日報》(Sin Chew Daily), a Chinese-language daily newspaper, the Cambodian edition of the Malaysian Chinese daily of the same name.
  • 《華商日報》(Huashang Daily), a Chinese-language daily newspaper.
  • 《高棉日报》(Khmer Daily), a Chinese-language daily newspaper.
  • 《新柬埔寨》(New Cambodia), a Chinese-language daily newspaper.

Magazines
  • AsiaLIFE Guide Phnom Penh, a monthly English-language lifestyle magazine published in Phnom Penh.
  • Pocket Guide Cambodia publishes four separate guides aimed at English-speaking residents and visitors.
  • F Magazine, the first fashion-forward magazine in Cambodia. Bi-lingual, written in English and Khmer.
  • SOVRIN Magazine, is the premium fashion magazine in Cambodia which written in khmer language.

Online news
  • Thmey Thmey Phnom Penh[46]
  • Sabay News Phnom Penh.
  • Fresh News Phnom Penh[47]

Sport
National Olympic Stadium
See also: Sport in Cambodia and Morodok Techo National Sports Complex

The martial arts of Bokator, Pradal Serey (Khmer kick boxing) and Khmer traditional wrestling have venues in Phnom Penh watched by dedicated spectators. Cambodia has increasingly become involved in modern sports over the last 30 years. As with the rest of the country, football and the martial arts are particularly popular. Ultimate fighting and freestyle boxing have also become more common in recent years.

The most prominent sporting venue in the city is the Phnom Penh National Olympic Stadium with a capacity of 50,000[48]—although the country never hosted the Olympic Games due to disruption by the civil war and the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. Built in 1964,[48] it is home to the Cambodian national football team.[49] On completion the stadium was one of the largest in Asia. Volleyball, basketball, and Tai-Kwon-Do games are often hosted at the stadium. The stadium closed in 2000,[48] but was redeveloped and reopened.

The National Sports Centre of Cambodia hosts swimming, boxing, and volleyball competitions. Noted local football clubs include Phnom Penh Empire, Khemara Keila FC and Military Police. The city will host the 2023 Southeast Asian Games and the 2023 ASEAN Para Games, this will mark the first time that Cambodia has hosted a multi-sport event.

Transport
See also: Transport in Cambodia and Transport in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh International Airport

Phnom Penh International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Cambodia. It is seven kilometres west of central Phnom Penh. The airport is connected to the city center by taxi, train, and shuttle bus.

Cambodia's national flag carrier, Cambodia Angkor Air, launched in 2009, is headquartered in Phnom Penh and has its main hub there, with an additional hub at the Angkor International Airport.[50]

Air France used to serve Phnom Penh from Paris-Charles de Gaulle but this service has since stopped. Qatar Airways now flies to and from Phnom Penh, via Ho Chi Minh City.

Taxis, pick-ups, and minibuses leave the city for destinations all over the country, but are fast losing ground to cheaper and more comfortable buses. Phnom Penh also has a rail service.

There are numerous bus companies, including Phnom Penh Public Transport and GST Express, running services to most provincial capitals, including Sihanoukville, Kampong Chhnang, Oudong and Takéo. Phnom Penh Sorya Transport Co. offers bus service to several provincial destinations along the National Routes and to Ho Chi Minh City. Giant Ibis is another bus company based in Phnom Penh, which travels to Sihanoukville, Kampot, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh, and has free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and modest pricing.

The city is Cambodia's main freshwater port, a major port on the Mekong River. It is linked to the South China Sea, 290 kilometres distant, via a channel of the Mekong in Vietnam.

Public transport
Phnom Penh BRT bus approaching Monivong-Sihanouk station
See also: Phnom Penh City Bus

Phnom Penh is served by air conditioned public buses. Initial attempts by the Japanese government to develop a Phnom Penh bus service began in 2001. An update of the JICA urban transport master plan for Phnom Penh was completed and implemented in 2014.[51] The city is now served by 17 bus lines, operated by the Phnom Penh municipal government. Private transportation within the city include the cycle rickshaw, known in Khmer as "cyclo", the motorcycle taxi known in Khmer as "moto", the auto rickshaw known locally as "tuk-tuk", the trailer attached to a motorcycle taxi known in Khmer as "remorque", and the standard automobile taxicab known in Khmer as "taxi".[52] Private forms of transportation used by locals include bicycles, motorbikes, and cars.

Line Terminus Opened Distance
(km)		 Frequency
(mins)
1A Bus Depot ↔ Boeng Chhuk October 2018 20.0 10-15
1B Boeng Chhuk ↔ Prince Manor Resort October 2018 10.6 20-30
2 Kouch Kanong Roundabout ↔ Prek Samrong Bridge October 2018 18.0 10-15
3 Freedom Park ↔ Borey Santepheap 2 January 2018 23.1 10-15
4A Freedom Park ↔ Borey Santepheap 2 January 2018 20.1 20-30
4B Freedom Park ↔ Ang Snoul October 2018 28.7 10-15
4C Freedom Park ↔ Prek Kampoes Commune Hall October 2018 20.5 20-30
5A Bus Depot ↔ Aeon Mall Sen Sok October 2018 13.0 20-30
5B AEON Mall Phom Penh ↔ AEON Mall Sen Sok October 2018 16.2 15-20
6 Kouch Kanong Roundabout ↔ Bus Depot October 2018 20.2 15-20
7 Kilometer No 9 ↔ Boeung Chhouk October 2018 21.7 20-30
8 Kouch Kanong Roundabout ↔ St. 2004 Terminal October 2018 16.0 20-30
9 Borei Santepheap 2 ↔ Ang Snoul January 2018 19.5 15-20
10 St. 2004 Terminal ↔ Chba Ampov Market October 2018 14.5 20-30
11 Sleng Pagoda ↔ Stueng Meanchey Intersection October 2018 14.0 20-30
12 Cambodia Railway ↔ Cambodia Railway (Loop) October 2018 8.9 20-30
13 Cambodia Railway ↔ Deum Thkov Market Roundabout October 2018 6.6 20-30

Highways
Motorcycle traffic in Phnom Penh

As the capital of Cambodia, a number of national highways connect the city with various parts of the country:

National HighwayCodeLengthOriginTerminal
National Highway 110001167.10 km 103.83 miPhnom PenhVietnamese Border
National Highway 210002120.60 km 74.94 miPhnom PenhVietnamese Border
National Highway 310003202.00 km 125.52 miPhnom PenhVeal Renh
National Highway 410004226.00 km 140.43 miPhnom PenhSihanoukville
National Highway 510005407.45 km 253.18 miPhnom PenhThai Border
National Highway 610006416.00 km 258.49 miPhnom PenhBanteay Meanchey
National Highway 710007509.17 km 316.38 miSkun (Cheung Prey District)Lao Border

Water supply

Water supply in Phnom Penh has improved dramatically in terms of access, service quality, efficiency, cost recovery and governance between 1993 and 2006. The number of customers has increased ninefold, service quality has improved from intermittent to continuous supply, water losses have been cut dramatically and the city's water utility went from being bankrupt to making a modest profit.[53] These achievements were recognized through international awards such as the 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Award and the 2010 Stockholm Industry Water Award.[54] The city's water utility is the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA). Its main water sources are the Mekong River, the Tonle Sap river and the Tonle Bassac river.

International relations

Twin towns and sister cities

Phnom Penh is twinned with:[55]

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gollark: Minoteaur development IS occuring.

See also

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Bibliography
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  1. Cambodia: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population. World Gazetteer
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