Cambodia Capitals

Phnom Penh, located in southern Cambodia on the banks of the Tonlé Sap and Mekong Rivers, has been the capital city of the nation since 1865. This city has been the capital as well as the center of cultural, economic, and industrial activity in Cambodia since the French Protectorate status of the country in 1863.

The number of people living in Phnom Penh was last documented in the national census of 2012 at just over 1.5 million. However, it is safe to say the population of the capital is more substantial than these figures from over five years ago. Approximately 10 percent of the population of Cambodia lives in Phnom Penh.

The National Museum of Cambodia is a great tourist attraction in the city of Phnom Penh housing many cultural artefacts and ancient pieces of art. This museum was built between 1917 and 1920 and offers a tranquil spot in the bustling city. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, previously known as Security Prison 21, is a popular historical attraction for tourists who want to learn more about the Cambodian Civil War and the horrors that took place during the conflict. The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are two beautiful buildings popular with tourists in the heart of Phnom Penh. Although the palace cannot be visited, the Silver Pagoda offers many insights into the Khmer culture and civilization.

The climate of Phnom Penh is known as a tropical wet and dry climate with hot temperatures year round and little variation in comparison to many other cities around the world. Average temperatures in Phnom Penh are between 22 to 35 degrees Celsius. The city has just two distinctive seasons. From May through October, it is known as the rainy season which sees high temperatures along with high humidity. The dry season lasts from November to April which sees average temperatures drop to 22 degrees Celsius. In April, during rare occasions, the temperatures can reach close to 40 degrees Celsius in the city.