Agriculture: rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca.
Industries: tourism, garments, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles
Exports: clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear
Imports: petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products
Currency: riel (KHR) - Named after the small silver carp
Exchange rates: riels per US dollar - 4,103 (2006)
Overview: In 1999, the first full year of peace in 30 years, the government made progress on economic reforms. The US and Cambodia signed a Bilateral Textile Agreement, which gave Cambodia a guaranteed quota of US textile imports and established a bonus for improving working conditions and enforcing Cambodian labor laws and international labor standards in the industry.
From 2001 to 2004, the economy grew at an average rate of 6.4%, driven largely by an expansion in the garment sector and tourism. With the January 2005 expiration of a WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, Cambodia-based textile producers were forced to compete directly with lower-priced producing countries such as China and India. Better-than-expected garment sector performance led to more than 13% growth in 2006. Faced with the possibility that its vibrant garment industry, with more than 200,000 jobs, could be in serious danger, the Cambodian government has committed itself to a policy of continued support for high labor standards in an attempt to maintain favor with buyers.
The tourism industry continues to grow rapidly, with foreign visitors surpassing 1 million per year beginning in 2005. In 2005, exploitable oil and natural gas deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, representing a new revenue stream for the government once commercial extraction begins in the coming years. Mining also is attracting significant investor interest, particularly in the northeastern parts of the country.
The long-term development of the economy remains a daunting challenge. The Cambodian government is working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs. The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance. More than 50% of the population is less than 21 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Cambodia History
EARLY KHMER KINGDOMS
circa AD 100 Funan, the first Cambodian empire was formed. It was influenced mainly by Indian culture.
600 Funam was absorbed by the kingdom of Chenla (originally a vassal state of Funan), located northeast of the Tônlé Sap (Great Lake).
ANGKOR DYNASTY
802 The Khmer ruler Jayavarman II came to power and declared himself the first devaraja or god-king. built an empire called Kambuja - the beginning of the golden age of the Khmers.
800s-1400s The rulers of the Angkor Dynasty strove to outdo one another by expanding their territory and building splendid temples and public works (hospitals, irrigation canals, reservoirs, and roads).
Suryavarman II reigned over the Khmer empire and built Angkor Wat.
1431 Siam conquered Angkor kingdom's capital city, Angkor Thom. But an independent Khmer kingdom, with its capital near what is now Phnom Penh, survived until the mid-1800's.
1600-1800 Siam and Vietnam controlled much of Cambodia
THE FRENCH AND WORLD WAR II
1863 Cambodia became a protectorate of the French, saving the country from being divided between Siam and Vietnam.
1864 Norodom became king.
1939-44 Japan occupied Cambodia.
1945 The French reclaimed Cambodia after the war.
Communist guerrillas begin an armed campaign against the French.
INDEPENDENCE
1953 On November 9, Cambodia achieved independence from France under King Norodom Sihanouk.
1955 King Norodom Sihanouk gave up the throne and took the title of prince to take part in politics. In elections held that same year, he became prime minister.
1960 Sihanouk's father (who was the king) died. Sihanouk became head of state.
1965 Sihanouk broke off relations with the US and allowed North Vietnamese guerrillas to set up bases in Cambodia in their war with US-backed South Vietnam.
1969 The United States and South Vietnam charged that North Vietnam had troops and supplies in Cambodia for use in the Vietnam War --- U.S. planes began to bomb Communist targets in Cambodia.
COUP OF 1970
1970 In March, General Lon Nol overthrew Sihanouk while he was out of the country.
In April, U.S. and South Vietnamese troops entered Cambodia to clear out the Communist supply bases. But the Vietnamese Communists withdrew deeper into Cambodia.
In October, the government of Prime Minister Lon Nol abolished the monarchy and renamed the country the Khmer Republic.
Lon Nol sent the Cambodian army to fight the North Vietnamese in Cambodia.
1972 Lon Nol made himself president and assumed full control of the government.
Sihanouk created a government in exile in China and allied himself with the Cambodian communists.
THE KHMER ROUGE
1975 Cambodian communists of the Khmer Rouge (pronounced kuh-MAIR-rooj) organization seized Phnom Penh.
The Khmer Rouge communists, led by Pol Pot, took full control of the Cambodian government and renamed the country Democratic Kampuchea.
1975-79 The Khmer Rouge forced city people in cities to move to rural areas to work as farmers in an attempt to achieve agricultural self-sufficiency.
There was evidence that they killed hundreds of thousands of Cambodians, including many former government officials and educated people. Others starved, or died from disease or exhaustion.
"Cambodian Killing Fields" videos in Japanese with English subtitles: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
VIETNAMESE DOMINATION
1977 War broke out with Vietnam.
1978 Heng Samrin, an army division commander of the Khmer Rouge, defected and fled to Vietnam.
In December, Vietnam invaded Cambodia.
1979 In April, Vietnamese troops and Cambodian communists won control of most of Cambodia, overthrew the Khmer Rouge government and pushed the Khmer Rouge toward the Thai border.
A Vietnamese-backed puppet regime was set up. The country was renamed the People's Democratic Republic of Kampuchea led by Heng Samrin, as head with Hun Sen as foreign minister.
The international community refused to recognise the new government. The government-in-exile retained its seat at the United Nations.
1982 Norodom Sihanouk became head of the coalition of the Khmer Rouge and two main non-Communist groups.
1985 Hun Sen became prime minister.
Cambodia was plagued by guerrilla warfare. Hundreds of thousands became refugees.
1989 In September, Vietnam claimed that it had withdrew its troops from Cambodia.
The country was renamed State of Cambodia.
THE FIRST ELECTIONS
1991 In October, Cambodia's government and opposition groups signed a UN-sponsored peace treaty which provided for UN administration and a 12-member Supreme National Council with Sihanouk as head.
1992 Angkor was declared a World Heritage Site. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this site and its surroundings with its magnificent remains of the different capitals, temples and sculptural decorations of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century.
1993 In May, democratic, multiparty elections were held and a coalition government with Prince Norodom Ranariddh as prime minister and Hun Sen as deputy prime minister. Sihanouk was re-crowned as king in September.
1994 Thousands of Khmer Rouge guerrillas surrendered in government amnesty.
CAMBODIAN ELECTIONS 1998
1997 Hun Sen ousted Rinariddh from office and took control.
ASEAN delayed Cambodia's entry into the Association.
1998 After new elections, Hun Sen became the sole prime minister and Rinariddh was appointed president of the National Assembly (the former Constituent Assembly).
Pol Pot died in his jungle hideout.
1999 Became a full member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
2003 Angry crowds attacked the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh over alleged comments made by a Thai TV star that the Angkor Wat temple complex belonged to Thailand and should be returned.
July - Prime Minister Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won the general elections but failed to secure sufficient majority to govern alone.
2004 July - Hun Sen re-elected as Prime Minister after his Cambodian People's Party struck a deal with the royalist Funcinpec party to form a coalition government.
Members of Parliament from Sam Rainsy party (which came in second behind Hun Sen's CPP in the 2003 elections) boycotted the new National Assembly, claiming the other two parties violated constitutional procedures in forming the new government.
In October, King Norodom Sihanouk gave up the throne due to ill health; his son, Norodom Sihamoni, was crowned on 29 October
2005 Opposition leader Sam Rainsy went into self-exile in February, citing fear of arrest after the National Assembly stripped him of immunity from prosecution, leaving him open to defamation charges brought by the ruling coalition.
2006 Rainsy was tried and sentenced in absentia by the Cambodian court in December 2005 for defaming PM Hun Sen. He subsequently received a royal pardon and returned to Cambodia in February 2006 after a year in exile.
October - The royalist Funcinpec party dropped Prince Norodom Ranariddh as its leader.
2007 Former Khmer Rouge leader, Nuon Chea - known as "Brother Number Two" - was arrested and charged with crimes against humanity.
2008 Border dispute with Thailand over a tiny area of land surrounding the ancient Preah Vihear temple which was awarded World Heritage status on July 8. Both countries raised troop presence in disputed area.
On August 9, the National Election Committee confirmed that Cambodia's ruling party, the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won 58.1% of the popular vote in last month's election, compared with 21.9% for its nearest rival, the main opposition Sam Rainsy party.
The Sam Rainsy party rejected the outcome, saying the election had not been conducted freely and fairly, and demanded a re-run.
circa AD 100 Funan, the first Cambodian empire was formed. It was influenced mainly by Indian culture.
600 Funam was absorbed by the kingdom of Chenla (originally a vassal state of Funan), located northeast of the Tônlé Sap (Great Lake).
ANGKOR DYNASTY
802 The Khmer ruler Jayavarman II came to power and declared himself the first devaraja or god-king. built an empire called Kambuja - the beginning of the golden age of the Khmers.
800s-1400s The rulers of the Angkor Dynasty strove to outdo one another by expanding their territory and building splendid temples and public works (hospitals, irrigation canals, reservoirs, and roads).
Suryavarman II reigned over the Khmer empire and built Angkor Wat.
1431 Siam conquered Angkor kingdom's capital city, Angkor Thom. But an independent Khmer kingdom, with its capital near what is now Phnom Penh, survived until the mid-1800's.
1600-1800 Siam and Vietnam controlled much of Cambodia
THE FRENCH AND WORLD WAR II
1863 Cambodia became a protectorate of the French, saving the country from being divided between Siam and Vietnam.
1864 Norodom became king.
1939-44 Japan occupied Cambodia.
1945 The French reclaimed Cambodia after the war.
Communist guerrillas begin an armed campaign against the French.
INDEPENDENCE
1953 On November 9, Cambodia achieved independence from France under King Norodom Sihanouk.
1955 King Norodom Sihanouk gave up the throne and took the title of prince to take part in politics. In elections held that same year, he became prime minister.
1960 Sihanouk's father (who was the king) died. Sihanouk became head of state.
1965 Sihanouk broke off relations with the US and allowed North Vietnamese guerrillas to set up bases in Cambodia in their war with US-backed South Vietnam.
1969 The United States and South Vietnam charged that North Vietnam had troops and supplies in Cambodia for use in the Vietnam War --- U.S. planes began to bomb Communist targets in Cambodia.
COUP OF 1970
1970 In March, General Lon Nol overthrew Sihanouk while he was out of the country.
In April, U.S. and South Vietnamese troops entered Cambodia to clear out the Communist supply bases. But the Vietnamese Communists withdrew deeper into Cambodia.
In October, the government of Prime Minister Lon Nol abolished the monarchy and renamed the country the Khmer Republic.
Lon Nol sent the Cambodian army to fight the North Vietnamese in Cambodia.
1972 Lon Nol made himself president and assumed full control of the government.
Sihanouk created a government in exile in China and allied himself with the Cambodian communists.
THE KHMER ROUGE
1975 Cambodian communists of the Khmer Rouge (pronounced kuh-MAIR-rooj) organization seized Phnom Penh.
The Khmer Rouge communists, led by Pol Pot, took full control of the Cambodian government and renamed the country Democratic Kampuchea.
1975-79 The Khmer Rouge forced city people in cities to move to rural areas to work as farmers in an attempt to achieve agricultural self-sufficiency.
There was evidence that they killed hundreds of thousands of Cambodians, including many former government officials and educated people. Others starved, or died from disease or exhaustion.
"Cambodian Killing Fields" videos in Japanese with English subtitles: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
VIETNAMESE DOMINATION
1977 War broke out with Vietnam.
1978 Heng Samrin, an army division commander of the Khmer Rouge, defected and fled to Vietnam.
In December, Vietnam invaded Cambodia.
1979 In April, Vietnamese troops and Cambodian communists won control of most of Cambodia, overthrew the Khmer Rouge government and pushed the Khmer Rouge toward the Thai border.
A Vietnamese-backed puppet regime was set up. The country was renamed the People's Democratic Republic of Kampuchea led by Heng Samrin, as head with Hun Sen as foreign minister.
The international community refused to recognise the new government. The government-in-exile retained its seat at the United Nations.
1982 Norodom Sihanouk became head of the coalition of the Khmer Rouge and two main non-Communist groups.
1985 Hun Sen became prime minister.
Cambodia was plagued by guerrilla warfare. Hundreds of thousands became refugees.
1989 In September, Vietnam claimed that it had withdrew its troops from Cambodia.
The country was renamed State of Cambodia.
THE FIRST ELECTIONS
1991 In October, Cambodia's government and opposition groups signed a UN-sponsored peace treaty which provided for UN administration and a 12-member Supreme National Council with Sihanouk as head.
1992 Angkor was declared a World Heritage Site. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this site and its surroundings with its magnificent remains of the different capitals, temples and sculptural decorations of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century.
1993 In May, democratic, multiparty elections were held and a coalition government with Prince Norodom Ranariddh as prime minister and Hun Sen as deputy prime minister. Sihanouk was re-crowned as king in September.
1994 Thousands of Khmer Rouge guerrillas surrendered in government amnesty.
CAMBODIAN ELECTIONS 1998
1997 Hun Sen ousted Rinariddh from office and took control.
ASEAN delayed Cambodia's entry into the Association.
1998 After new elections, Hun Sen became the sole prime minister and Rinariddh was appointed president of the National Assembly (the former Constituent Assembly).
Pol Pot died in his jungle hideout.
1999 Became a full member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
2003 Angry crowds attacked the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh over alleged comments made by a Thai TV star that the Angkor Wat temple complex belonged to Thailand and should be returned.
July - Prime Minister Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won the general elections but failed to secure sufficient majority to govern alone.
2004 July - Hun Sen re-elected as Prime Minister after his Cambodian People's Party struck a deal with the royalist Funcinpec party to form a coalition government.
Members of Parliament from Sam Rainsy party (which came in second behind Hun Sen's CPP in the 2003 elections) boycotted the new National Assembly, claiming the other two parties violated constitutional procedures in forming the new government.
In October, King Norodom Sihanouk gave up the throne due to ill health; his son, Norodom Sihamoni, was crowned on 29 October
2005 Opposition leader Sam Rainsy went into self-exile in February, citing fear of arrest after the National Assembly stripped him of immunity from prosecution, leaving him open to defamation charges brought by the ruling coalition.
2006 Rainsy was tried and sentenced in absentia by the Cambodian court in December 2005 for defaming PM Hun Sen. He subsequently received a royal pardon and returned to Cambodia in February 2006 after a year in exile.
October - The royalist Funcinpec party dropped Prince Norodom Ranariddh as its leader.
2007 Former Khmer Rouge leader, Nuon Chea - known as "Brother Number Two" - was arrested and charged with crimes against humanity.
2008 Border dispute with Thailand over a tiny area of land surrounding the ancient Preah Vihear temple which was awarded World Heritage status on July 8. Both countries raised troop presence in disputed area.
On August 9, the National Election Committee confirmed that Cambodia's ruling party, the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won 58.1% of the popular vote in last month's election, compared with 21.9% for its nearest rival, the main opposition Sam Rainsy party.
The Sam Rainsy party rejected the outcome, saying the election had not been conducted freely and fairly, and demanded a re-run.
Cambodia Government
Country name: Cambodia
Official name: Kingdom of Cambodia
Former names: (1) Khmer Republic, (2) Democratic Kampuchea, (3) People's Republic of Kampuchea, (4) State of Cambodia
Capital city: Phnom Penh
Year of independence: 9 November 1953 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 9 November (1953)
Head of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004)
The monarch is chosen by a Royal Throne Council.
Head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985)
Following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king.
Type of government: multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Legislature: bicameral (two houses) consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate
National flag: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band;
blue = royalty
red = the nation
building = Angkor Wat = structure of the universe
The Cambodian flag is the only flag in the world to feature a building.
Official name: Kingdom of Cambodia
Former names: (1) Khmer Republic, (2) Democratic Kampuchea, (3) People's Republic of Kampuchea, (4) State of Cambodia
Capital city: Phnom Penh
Year of independence: 9 November 1953 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 9 November (1953)
Head of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004)
The monarch is chosen by a Royal Throne Council.
Head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985)
Following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the king.
Type of government: multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Legislature: bicameral (two houses) consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate
National flag: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band;
blue = royalty
red = the nation
building = Angkor Wat = structure of the universe
The Cambodian flag is the only flag in the world to feature a building.
Cambodia Population
Population: 14 million (July 2007 est.)
0-14 years: 34% (male 2.4 million; female 2.4 million)
Population distribution: rural 80%; urban 20%
Ethnic groups: Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other (including Cham-Malay) 4%
With a high percentage of one ethnic group (Khmer) in the population, Cambodia has a homogeneity unique in Southeast Asia and this has encouraged a strong sense of national identity.
Religions: Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5%
Many boys and young men become Buddhist monks for a period of time to earn merit - living a life of study and meditation to seek better understanding of Buddha's teachings.
Many Cambodians also believe in (1) an invisible supernatural world of ghosts, demons and spirits and they seek shamans to help mediate between the spirit world and the real world; (2) the power of amulets, tattoos and charms to protect them from evil spirits and misfortune.
Languages: Khmer (official) 95%, French, English
Literacy rate: 73.6% (of those age 15 and above) can read and write (2004 census)
0-14 years: 34% (male 2.4 million; female 2.4 million)
Population distribution: rural 80%; urban 20%
Ethnic groups: Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other (including Cham-Malay) 4%
With a high percentage of one ethnic group (Khmer) in the population, Cambodia has a homogeneity unique in Southeast Asia and this has encouraged a strong sense of national identity.
Religions: Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5%
Many boys and young men become Buddhist monks for a period of time to earn merit - living a life of study and meditation to seek better understanding of Buddha's teachings.
Many Cambodians also believe in (1) an invisible supernatural world of ghosts, demons and spirits and they seek shamans to help mediate between the spirit world and the real world; (2) the power of amulets, tattoos and charms to protect them from evil spirits and misfortune.
Languages: Khmer (official) 95%, French, English
Literacy rate: 73.6% (of those age 15 and above) can read and write (2004 census)
Cambodia Geography
Capital city: Phnom Penh
The modes of transport are cars, motorcycles, cyclos (bicycle rickshaws), oxcarts and boats.
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos
Area: 181,040 sq km
(land: 176,520 sq km; water: 4,520 sq km)
Terrain:
mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m;
highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
Largest lake: Tônlé Sap (Great Lake)
Also the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia
The giant catfish, native to the Mekong River, is in danger of extinction due to overfishing, as well as decrease in water quality as a result development and upstream damming. Fishing for the giant catfish is illegal in Cambodia, Thailand and Laos.
Mekong Giant Catfish Printable
Land use
arable land: 20.44%;
permanent crops: 0.59%;
other: 78.97% (2005)
Irrigated land: 2,700 sq km (2003)
Natural resources: oil and gas, timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential
Climate: tropical;
May to November: rainy, monsoon season;
December to April: dry season
Natural hazards: monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts
Environment issues: (1) illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); (2) soil erosion; (3) in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water; (4) declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing
The modes of transport are cars, motorcycles, cyclos (bicycle rickshaws), oxcarts and boats.
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos
Area: 181,040 sq km
(land: 176,520 sq km; water: 4,520 sq km)
Terrain:
mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m;
highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
Largest lake: Tônlé Sap (Great Lake)
Also the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia
The giant catfish, native to the Mekong River, is in danger of extinction due to overfishing, as well as decrease in water quality as a result development and upstream damming. Fishing for the giant catfish is illegal in Cambodia, Thailand and Laos.
Mekong Giant Catfish Printable
Land use
arable land: 20.44%;
permanent crops: 0.59%;
other: 78.97% (2005)
Irrigated land: 2,700 sq km (2003)
Natural resources: oil and gas, timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential
Climate: tropical;
May to November: rainy, monsoon season;
December to April: dry season
Natural hazards: monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts
Environment issues: (1) illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); (2) soil erosion; (3) in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water; (4) declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing
Cambodia Clothing
The sampot (pronounced sahm-pots) or Cambodian sarong
- a loose-fitting wraparound lower garment - is the national dress of Cambodia
. The traditional fabric used is silk and/or cotton combination. There are many variations of the sampot for different social strata of people.
A krama (pronounced krah-mah) is a checked cotton scarf-like head-wrapping almost universally worn by rural Cambodians - both men and women. It is like a turban ... a sign of Cambodia's ancient ties with India. Kramas have a multitude of uses - protection from the sun, dust and wind. It can also be used as a towel or as a carrier for children.
- a loose-fitting wraparound lower garment - is the national dress of Cambodia
. The traditional fabric used is silk and/or cotton combination. There are many variations of the sampot for different social strata of people.
A krama (pronounced krah-mah) is a checked cotton scarf-like head-wrapping almost universally worn by rural Cambodians - both men and women. It is like a turban ... a sign of Cambodia's ancient ties with India. Kramas have a multitude of uses - protection from the sun, dust and wind. It can also be used as a towel or as a carrier for children.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Souvenir Shopping in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Although bargaining at the local markets is a common practice for shoppers, it is not appropriate to do so at Artisans d’ Angkor. This is not a typical souvenir shop; this facility serves a cultural as well as an economic purpose. Artisans d' Angkor offers a business model that promotes sustainability and fair trade for the artists they employ. On a cultural level, they are preserving and promoting the traditional heritage of the Khmer empire. Reviving the traditional skills and crafts that were lost during years of political instability are a critical piece to a more unified Cambodia. On a larger scale they are providing economic support to Cambodia’s lagging job market by creating new jobs.
Artisans d’ Angkor is actually a network of ten workshops that trains and employs nearly 1000 emerging Cambodian artists. They recruit about 60 new apprentices per year providing not only a job, but a sustainable career. These organized workshops provide young people with a skilled trade and educational opportunity that would not be otherwise present in Cambodia.
Although there has been a recent boom in Cambodian’s tourist industry, it remains one of the poorest countries in South East Asia. Years of war and political turmoil have caused a deeply entrenched economic and cultural instability that has been hard for the country to overcome. The government lacks the necessary resources to provide adequate jobs, education, medical care and other basic necessities to their own people.
Shopping at Artisans d’ Angkor is one small way shoppers can use their tourist dollars for a good cause. This partnership provides shoppers with high-quality, locally produced products and the artist is guaranteed a fair wage for their labor.
Siem Reap Cambodia Shopping Guide; Artisans d' Angkor
Siem Reap is known as the gateway to the Angkor Wat temples but for a unique cultural experience as well as to purchase local art; visit Artisans d' Angkor.
The city of Siem Reap, Cambodia is known for its amazing Angkor Wat temples, but this up and coming city is also home to many luxury spas, fine hotels and unique shopping destinations.
The city of Siem Reap, Cambodia is known for its amazing Angkor Wat temples, but this up and coming city is also home to many luxury spas, fine hotels and unique shopping destinations.
A visit to any one of the local markets; like the night market, will provide shoppers with a wide range of souvenirs and traditional crafts to take home. But for high-quality locally produced items, Artisans d’ Angkor is the place to shop. They specialize in intricately designed wood and stone carvings, silver-plated objects, silk painting, scarves, and hand lacquered art.
Artisans d' Angkor is actually a network of self-sustaining stores and facilities that are committed to providing fair trade, locally produced Cambodian art. Their Chantiers-Ecoles facility, located in the heart of Siem Reap, offers free informative daily tours in multiple languages. Visitors can watch local artisans handcraft many fine products such as silk paintings, wood and stone carvings and metal plated art. Afterwards shoppers may purchase many high-quality but affordable items from the gift shop.
What to Buy in Siem Reap
Intricate stone carvings similar to those found at the Angkor Wat temples are wonderful souvenirs to take or ship home. The traditional art of stone carving in Cambodia is a skill that pre-dates the Angkor Wat era. Using the same techniques and materials as their ancestors, these skilled artisans produce high quality sandstone sculptures and statues depicting ancient deities and kings.
Artisans d' Angkor specialize in hand-crafted scarves and shawls made from 100% locally produced fine silk. These beautiful scarves and shawls come in a variety of hand-dyed natural colors and can be purchased at any one of their shops. Many other items such as luxury hand-woven and hand-dyed pillow cases, hand bags and wallets are also available.
For those interested in the production of silk and silk crafts visit the Angkor Silk Farm. The ancient art of silk weaving is a highly skilled process that requires much time and practice. During a tour of the silk farm, visitors can learn about the production of local silk products from start to finish. Watch how silk is collected from the cocoon of the Mulberry Silkworm and then made into silk products using the traditional techniques of silk weaving and hand dying.
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