Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh
ភ្នំពេញ
  • Phnom Penh Capital
  • រាជធានីភ្នំពេញ
Nicknames: 
  • Pearl of Asia (pre-1960s)
  • The Charming City
Phnom Penh is located in Cambodia
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh
Location within Cambodia
Phnom Penh is located in Asia
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh
Location within Asia
Coordinates: 11°34′10″N 104°55′16″E / 11.56944°N 104.92111°E / 11.56944; 104.92111
CountryCambodia
Settled5th century[2]
Founded1372
Capital status1434–1497
Capital re-established1865
Named afterWat Phnom and Lady Penh
Subdivisions14 khans[3]
Government
 • TypeMunicipal council
 • GovernorKhuong Sreng (CPP)
 • National Assembly
12 / 125
Area
679 km2 (262 sq mi)
 • Metro
3,858 km2 (1,490 sq mi)
 • Rank24th
Elevation
11.89 m (39.01 ft)
Population
 (2023 census)[4]
Increase 2,507,803
 • Rank1st
 • Density3,361/km2 (8,700/sq mi)
  • Rank1st
 • Metro
3,483,532
Demonyms
  • Phnom Penher
  • (French: Phnom Penhois(e))
Time zoneUTC+07:00 (ICT)
Area code+855 (023)
HDI (2022)
  • 0.696[5]
  • medium · 1st
Websitephnompenh.gov.kh
Phnom Penh
Khmer name
Khmerភ្នំពេញ
UNGEGN: Phnum Pénh
GD: Phnum Penh
ALA-LC: Bhnaṃ Beñ
IPA: [pʰnomˈpɨɲ]

Phnom Penh[a] is the capital and most populous city of Cambodia. It has been the national capital since 1865 and has grown to become the nation's primate city and its political, economic, industrial, and cultural centre. The city's name derives from Wat Phnom, a Buddhist temple, and Lady Penh, the city's founder. It sits at the confluence of the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers, and is the start of the Bassac River. It is also the seat of Cambodia's monarchy, based at the Royal Palace.

Founded in 1372, Phnom Penh succeeded Angkor Thom as the national capital in 1434 following the fall of Angkor, and remained so until 1497.[9] It regained its capital status during the French colonial era. It underwent a period of investment and modernization during Cambodia's independence period, earning the nickname the "Pearl of Asia" for its colonial French, New Khmer and Art Deco architecture.[10] The city's population swelled in the 1960s and 1970s as refugees fled from civil war and American bombing during the Vietnam War. Phnom Penh's entire population was forcibly evacuated in 1975 by the Khmer Rouge, and faced persecution, forced labour and genocide. Phnom Penh remained largely uninhabited during the Democratic Kampuchea era until Vietnam-backed forces took the city in 1979. The city was reconstructed and infrastructure improved in the modern era with the support of international investment and aid. By 2019, it was home to more than 2 million people, approximately 14% of the Cambodian population.[4]

The Greater Phnom Penh area includes the nearby Ta Khmau city and some districts of Kandal province.[11] The city formerly functioned as a processing center, with textiles, pharmaceuticals, machine manufacturing, and rice milling. It is also home to many prominent schools, colleges and universities. Its cultural institutions and events have made it a hub for domestic and international tourism.[12]

The city has hosted numerous regional and international events, the most notable being the 2002, 2012, and 2022 ASEAN Summit, the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, and the 12th ASEAN Para Games. Phnom Penh will be the first Cambodian city and the second city in Southeast Asia to host the Asian Youth Games in 2029.[13]

  1. ^ "ISO 3166 — Codes for the representation of names of countries and their subdivisions: Cambodia KH". ISO. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  2. ^ Bennett Murray (February 14, 2015). "Ancient kiln site poised to 'disappear forever'". Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  3. ^ Soth, Koemseoun (January 31, 2019). "Government establishes new districts, town for better management". The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved July 9, 2019. Two new districts, Boeung Keng Kang and Kamboul, have been added to Phnom Penh, the sub-decree states.
  4. ^ a b "General Population Census of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2019 – Final Results" (PDF). National Institute of Statistics. Ministry of Planning. January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  5. ^ "Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  6. ^ Wells, John (April 3, 2008). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (3rd ed.). Pearson Longman. ISBN 978-1-4058-8118-0.
  7. ^ "Phnom Penh". Phnom Penh | Definition of Phnom Penh in US English by Oxford Dictionaries. Oxford Dictionaries | English. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  8. ^ "Phnom Penh". Collins English Dictionary. HarperCollins Publishers. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  9. ^ "History of Phnom Penh". phnompenh.gov.kh. Phnom Penh Capital Hall. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  10. ^ De Launey, Guy (June 17, 2011). "Phnom Penh's fast-fading architectural treasures". BBC News. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  11. ^ "Facts: Phnom Penh". Phnom Penh Capital Hall. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  12. ^ "Phnom Penh". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  13. ^ "OCA » Cambodia to host OCA's 5th Asian Youth Games in 2029". ocasia.org. Retrieved August 1, 2023.


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