Region: South-east Asia

Capital: Phnom Penh

Population: 13 363 421 (July 2004 est.)

Surface area: 181 035 square km

Currency: riel

GDP per capita: $1 900 (2003 est.)

Background:
Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers. In 1863, the king of Cambodia placed the country under French protection; it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia became independent within the French Union in 1949 and fully independent in 1953. After a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge’s forces captured Phnom Penh in April 1975 and ordered the evacuation of all cities and towns; at least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, enforced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT.

Economy – overview:
Cambodia’s economy slowed dramatically in 1997-1998 due to the regional economic crisis, civil violence, and political infighting. Foreign investment and tourism fell off. In 1999, the first full year of peace in 30 years, progress was made on economic reforms. Growth resumed and has remained about 5.0% during 2000-2003. Cambodia expects 1 million foreign tourists in 2004. Economic growth has been largely driven by expansion in the clothing sector and tourism.

Even given Cambodia’s recent growth, the long-term development of the economy after decades of war remains a daunting challenge. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure.

United Nations Membership date: 14 December 1955

New York Mission:
Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the United Nations, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 420
New York, N.Y. 10017.
Telephone: 212-421-7626 / 7650 / 7651
Fax: 212-421-7743