Cambodia
Angkor, Cambodia
Children in the temples of Angkor appear, then disappear like phantoms among the ornately carved colonnades. Centuries ago, when Khmer kings ruled these lands, men and elephants transported monolithic stones from far off quarries to construct the holy temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Banteay Srei, and Beng Mealea.
Today the temple shrines, shrouded in incense, continue to serve as sites of worship for local and distant followers who make the pilgrimage to these fabled stone splendors. In addition to these awesome sites rising out of tropical forest, foreign visitors discover an enchanting people who, having survived decades of war and ravage, nonetheless graciously extend their kindness to strangers in ways that haunt one’s memory.
Photo © 2011 Jeff Meide
Peace Corps Volunteer, Botswana 1986-1989
Kingdom of Cambodia
Southeastern Asia
Area 181,035 km2 (RANK 90)
Arable 20.4%
Capital Phnom Penh (1.5M)
Population 14,952,665 (83/km2)
Literacy 74%
Life expectancy 63 yrs
HIV/AIDS 0.5% (63,000 adults)
In poverty 31%
Military 3.0% of GDP (RANK 45 of 195)
Languages Khmer 95%, French, English
Religions Buddhist 96%, Muslim 2%
Gov’t Constitutional Monarchy
GDP/capita $2,400
Agriculture rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, cassava, silk
Industry clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear
PCVs 2007-present, current 114, TTD 255; education, health
Adult Books
by Edward Gargan, 2002
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Vintage; Reprint edition (January 7, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0375705595
Book Description
In a legendary trip down the Mekong, a NYT correspondent profiles Cambodia, once a very troubled and impoverished nation, now grappling with technology and on-rushing modernity.
Kids' Books
by Minfong Ho
Format: Paperback, 176 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0374412296
Age Range: 10-14 years
Publisher: Square Fish, 1993
Films
Film: Rice People
Director: (1994)
Read review at IMDB.
Documentary: A Cambodia Journey Documentary
Producer: (2012)
Documentary: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine
Director: (2003)
Music
Focus Word
Focus Word for 2014 - "Home"
Khmer: pthaes (b-tayaah)French: maison (may-zohn)
Copyright © Julie Olsen
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Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Wisconsin-Madison is a public charity registered under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States. Its EIN is 39-1669348. It is also an affiliate group of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA).
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