Total population is more than 14 million. Ninety per cent of residents are Khmer, and the remnants of these are Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, Phnong, Kuoy, Stieng, Tamil… etc. Chinese influence is very strong, particularly in the business sector.

The Phnom Penh Capital, which has an area of 290 square kilometers, is seriously considered the major center of administration, commerce, communication, culture, economy, education, industry, policy and tourism. It is also home to legal immigrants from Australia, Burma, China, France, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Philipines, Russian, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA, Vietnam, etc. The Phnom Penh is a lifeline of Cambodian economy for sustaining residents and it is a tropical paradise for tourists and businessmen. The Phnom Penh’s resident population is said to total over two million people.

The average temperature is 27-28oc. It varies up to region from 20-27oc during the wet season and from 28-35oc during the dry season. The climate is comprised of two main seasons affected by the tropical monsoon- the wet season from May to October and the dry season from November to April. The coolest period lasts from December to January.

Theravada Buddhism is the official prevailing religion in Cambodia, and approximately ninety percent of the population is Buddhists. The country also has minority religions such as Islam, Hinduism and Christianity which Muslims, Hindus and Christians believe in. Since Buddha’s statues and images represent the Buddha, visitors are asked to behave respectfully to all statues and images so as not to cause offence to local people. It is illegal to take any piece of sandstone out of the temple and also any Buddha’s statue out of Cambodia without the express permission of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.

Khmer is the official language in Cambodia. English is very popular with Khmer people for communicating with foreigners in administrative, commercial, diplomatic, economic, industrials and tourist affairs. The older people educated at their local comprehensive school can speak French clearly. Khmer-English road and street signs are found nationwide.

The Cambodian currency is Riel that can fluctuate a little if it is compared with a dollar. Riel denominations are 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200; and 100 banknotes, which are printed in both Khmer and English, increase in size according to value and are in different colors. Coins are no longer using in Cambodia.

Foreign currencies can be easily changed at airports, hotels or markets, but American dollars are widely accepted in Cambodia. Credit cards are now accepted in banks and main hotels, shop and Super Market Malls or credit cards can get American us dollars cash and local currency from  every ATM at the airport, the banks and other malls in town.

However, US Dollar is common used. There is no need to change from USD to Riel.

International phone calls can be made quite easily from lower to upper level hotels. Rates for calling out of the country are normally considerably higher than for calling in. In Phnom Penh, phone cards are widely available through out the city, and cards can be purchased at many outlets. There are also several mobile phone systems with country Code: 855

Most hotels and travel agencies will offer complete facsimile, e-mail, WiFi internet access services. The ministry of Post and Telecommunication can offer phone and fax services all day.

In response to globalization, Cambodia has been expanding information services for tourists through the Internet system. Services are now available at Cambodia’s leading hotels.

Special condition will be given for all Cambodian Open delegates from the government (Press, golfers, invited guests and VIP).

All nationalities need to apply for a travel visa, except from the following countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Philipines, and Laos.

Otherwise, a visa on arrival, valid for a thirty-day stay, is specifically granted at Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport, and International Border Checkpoints. Visas are also granted at Royal Cambodian Embassy or Consulate abroad. The visa fee for a tourist is US$ 20 and the one for a businessman is US$ 25. Visa can be extended at Immigration Department in Phnom Penh City. A free visa (K) is expressly granted to the Cambodian living overseas.

The Royal Government of Cambodia has recently approved e-visa. All you have to do is complete the online application form available at the website (evisa.mfaic.gov.kh), pay by credit card, and include a recent passport size photo in JPEG/PNG format. The visa will be approved within three business days, allowing you to breeze by that lengthy line and get a jump-start on your holiday.

The e-visa, valid for a thirty-day stay, is available only for a typical tourist visa for a single entry. It is currently not available for nationalities from Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Arab Saudi, Algeria, Sudan, and Sri Lanka. For a business visa, please apply at your nearest Embassy or on arrival in all major check points.

Tourists getting such a visa online can enter Cambodia through Phnom Penh International Airport and Siem Reap International Airport only, and they exit through five main points: Including Phnom Penh Inernational Airport, Siem Reap International Airport, Bavet (Svay Rieng), Cham Yeam (Koh Kong) and Poipet (Banteay Meanchey).

All visitors entering Cambodia must possess valid passports. Your passport has to be valid dated for at least six months after the issued date.