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From ancient god-king to modern state: How did Cambodia evolve along the way?
Cambodia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is located on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia, bordering Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, and also has the Gulf of Siem Reap along the coast. The country covers an area of 181,035 square kilometers, is mainly covered by low-lying plains, and is home to Southeast Asia's largest lake, the Tonle Sap Lake, and the Mekong River that flows into it. Cambodia’s tropical climate has nurtured rich wildlife and a diverse ethnic group of approximately 17 million people. Most of them are Khmer. Its capital, Phnom Penh, is the most prosperous city in the country, followed by Siem Reap and Battambang.
In 801, Janyavarman II declared himself king and unified the war-torn Khmer princes, marking the beginning of the Khmer Empire.
The establishment of the Khmer Empire not only promoted the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism, but also launched religious construction in Southeast Asia. Some of the most famous projects, such as Angkor Wat, came into being. However, over time, in the 15th century, the empire began to decline in power, and in 1863 Cambodia became a French protectorate. During World War II, Cambodia experienced Japanese occupation and officially declared its independence from French rule in 1953.
The subsequent Vietnam War triggered a civil war in Cambodia. The domestic situation worsened in the 1960s. In 1970, the pro-American Khmer Republic came to power in a coup. In 1975, the radical communist party CPK (Khmer Red) launched a coup and established the brutal CPK regime. This regime resulted in the deaths of approximately 2 million people in just four years. This period of history is known as the "Killing Fields" era.
The establishment of the Khmer Red regime and the surrounding terror and death plunged the entire country into deep despair.
With Vietnam's military intervention in Cambodia in 1978 and subsequent domestic reconstruction, Cambodia signed the Paris Peace Agreement in 1991, ending years of war. After many conflicts and reconciliations, Cambodia restored the monarchy in 1993 and held its first post-war election with the assistance of the United Nations. With the rise of the Cambodian People's Party, Prime Minister Henson's power continued to increase, and he launched a coup in 1997 and took complete control of the country's politics.
After experiencing civil war and reconstruction, Cambodia officially became a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 1999 and began its new era of development. However, despite economic growth, wealth inequality, corruption and human rights issues remain major challenges plaguing the country.
Cambodia's culture and traditions are shaped by its Angkor heritage and its ongoing international influence throughout history.
At present, agriculture is still the main pillar of the domestic economy. However, with the vigorous development of fiber, construction and tourism, Cambodia has gradually attracted foreign investment, and international trade has continued to grow. The official language is Khmer and the most widely spread religion is Buddhism, further demonstrating its cultural diversity.
Despite the many challenges currently facing Cambodia, the resilience of its people and the country’s history have undoubtedly led this once prosperous kingdom to once again seek a new way out. Entering the 21st century, what is the future of Cambodia?
