Cambodia at a Glance

Language

The main language spoken is Kymer (which has small similarities to Lao and Thai). The Kymer Language is not a tonal and it has its own written alphabet. English is not widely spoken, with less than 25% of the population speaking it. In tourist areas and among younger Cambodians, English fluency is higher. A lot of signs are also in Kymer and English.

Population

Cambodia has a population of over 17 million, with only 80% of the population living in country areas (as opposed to bigger cities).

Currency

The official currency of Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel (KHR). However, USD is more widely used.

1 USD= 4096 KHR (Cambodian Riel).

USD is the currency dispensed at ATMs and the most widely accepted currency. Vendors will only accept clean USD notes, with no tears or small damage. Change will be given in either USD or Cambodian Riel. If you are given Riel, try to get rid of it as soon as possible, as not all vendors accept the official currency, instead only accepting USD.

Weather

Cambodia is a tropical country, with only two seasons: wet and dry season. The weather ranges from 21-35 degrees Celsius year-round. Wet Season is from May to September, with the rainiest months being August and September. Dry season is from October to April. Peak season is December to February when the weather is dry and cool. It is considered the best time to travel to Cambodia, but it is also the busiest. April and May are the hottest months and considered the least popular time to visit Cambodia.

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