Cambodia Flag

The two bands at the top and the bottom of the Cambodia flag represent royalty, while the red band in the centre represents the nation. White symbolizes Buddhism, Cambodia's main religion. The twelfth-century temple complex Angkor Wat, right in the centre of the flag, underlines the importance of this symbol to Khmer culture and civilization. The current flag has been introduced September 1993, following the first election in more than three decades.

Geography

Cambodia is located on the Southeast Asia mainland and covers 70.238 square miles (181.035 square kilometers). It is flanked by the Thailand in the Northwest, by Laos in the North, and Vietnam in the east. The Southwest coast faces the Gulf of Thailand. The capital of Cambodia is Phnom Penh, which is where the Tonle Sap and the Mekong River unite. Mountains and Plains.

Mountains and Plains

Most Cambodia consists of a basin shaped lowland area, enclosed by the mountain chains to the north, east, and the west. The Cardamom range in the Southwest contains Cambodia's highest peak, Phnom Aoral, which stands at 5.948 feet (1.813 meters). The Dangrek range marks a natural border with Thailand. Dense tropical forests cover most of the mountain. Their ongoing rapid deforestation is meanwhile of international concern.

Season

Mekong River

The Mekong River is the major tributary to Cambodia famous Tonle Sap Lake, bringing life to the heart of Cambodia. The Mekong, which is approximately 2.700 miles (4.350 meters) in length, is one of the mightiest rivers in the world. It begins in the Tibet Plateau in China and flows through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It forms the famous Mekong Delta in Vietnam before flowing into the South China Sea.
In the heart of the central plain lies the Tonle Sap, the largest lake in the Southeast Asia. Quite unique in the world, the Tonle Sap Lake acts as the natural flood reservoir for the Mekong River. During the rainy season from the mid-May to early October, the Mekong overflows its banks. When this happens, the Mekong River not only flows down the Mekong Delta but reverses to opposite direction and fills Tonle Sap via the Tonle Sap River. The Tonle Sap expands to double its usual size and floods the surrounding countryside and forests. During dry season, water from the Tonle Sap flows back into the Mekong.

Tonle Sap

Tonle Sap Lake is away from town (Siem Reap) almost 14 km in raining season and 23 km in the dry season and lies south of the town and Angor Wat. Its expansion makes it one of the greatest fresh water lakes in Asia. Especially in the wet season this lake is receiving his major influence from the Mekong and minor influences from the Siem Reap River flowing in from the nearby Kulen Mountains. The size of Tonle Sap can reach up to 110 km x 75 km stretching from West to East. Five Provinces surrounding this lake called: Siem Reap, Kompong Thom, Kompong Cham, Pur Sat, and the Battambong province.
             The rich fish population with unbelievable 300 different species ranks this lake number three in biodiversity worldwide. It provides the main food source for most of Cambodians and allows the export of fish to the neighbouring countries like Thailand, Lao and Vietnam. There are several thousand people living in the floating Villages along the edge of this lake mainly Cambodians, many of those from Vietnam.
              The floating villages follow the shrinking and expansion of the lake by moving their houses with the lake. In the wet season, people settle nearby the edge of the lake but in dry season, those house are shifted with the shrinking lake so that they can continue their fishing.
               There are many different activities to watch around Siem Reap and the Tonle Sap consisting of its famous and beautiful landscape, the people living with or on the lake and the markets with the freshest fish available. You find as well activities related to education for fishing and preserving the lake not to forget the restaurants on the lake itself.
                You can go around by small local fisher boats and take a trip to/from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh right across the lake via Speed Boat taking approximately 5-6 hours to bring you there. Boats are also available to Battambong pending the season.