The first information about the population of Cambodia dates back to the early Neolithic (5th millennium BC). At this time, a tribal organization took shape, and the population was engaged in agriculture, fishing, and hunting. By the middle of the 1st millennium BC. e. the ancestors of the Khmers developed an original culture of the Bronze Age. In those days, Cambodians ate mainly fish and rice and lived in stilt houses, just as they do now.
The first known state on the territory of Cambodia was the kingdom of Funan, formed in the 1st-6th centuries. n. e. in the Mekong Delta. Funan was famous for building sea vessels, making cotton fabrics, as well as for its jewelry made of gold and precious stones, and glass items. The state actively traded with India, China, Armenia and the Roman Empire, and by the 3rd century AD. became one of the most powerful maritime powers in Southeast Asia. His influence extended to the territories now occupied by Burma, Thailand, part of Malaysia and Indonesia.
In the VII-VIII centuries. the states of Chenla of Earth and Chenla of Water arose. During this period, new forms of exploitation appeared (corvée, mortgage), the sale of land became frequent, and a numerous personally dependent peasantry (anak sre) arose. Local elements began to predominate in culture, Khmer writing arose. Check a2zdirectory for old history of Cambodia.
In the ninth century in the Mekong Delta and adjacent areas, the formation of the empire of Cambujadesh began, which by the 11th century. became the largest state of the Indochinese peninsula. Cambujadesh became the forerunner of Cambodia proper. The territory of the empire reached a large size. Its capital was the city of Angkor. During this period, there was a transition to a new ideological system – Mahayana Buddhism. Numerous temples were erected, the city of Angkor Thom was built, the Bayon temple complex with its most interesting bas-reliefs stands out in particular. In addition, roads, canals, fortifications, hospitals and houses for travelers (the prototype of today’s hotels) were also built. The Khmer kings, who considered themselves equal to the gods, spared neither effort nor money to decorate their capital, erecting numerous temples and palaces there.
From the end of the 13th century, the weakening of the state began, its territory was steadily shrinking. In 1431, the troops of Siam (the predecessor state of present-day Thailand) captured and destroyed Angkor. With the fall of Angkor, the so-called Angkor period in the history of Cambodia ended. Phnom Penh, located about 240 km southeast of Angkor, became the new capital of the Cambodian state that soon revived. However, Angkor remained a symbol of the former power of Cambodia and now the image of the temple of Angkor Wat is present on the flag of Cambodia.
In the XVIII century. The weakening of Cambodia began, and, as a result, it became dependent on the Siamese and Vietnamese states, which annexed a significant part of the territory that was previously part of the Cambodian state. Since 1863, a French protectorate was proclaimed over Cambodia, which lasted until 1953. From that time until 1970, the country had a constitutional monarchy. In 1970, a coup d’etat took place, which led to a period of political crises and civil wars. In April 1975, power in the country was in the hands of the so-called Khmer Rouge, headed by dictator Pol Pot. The Khmer Rouge renamed the country Democratic Kampuchea, abolished money and turned the country into a giant concentration camp. During the years of the Khmer Rouge (1975-1978)
At the end of 1978, relations between Cambodia and Vietnam sharply deteriorated. In January 1979, Vietnamese troops invaded the country and occupied Phnom Penh. The Khmer Rouge regime was overthrown, power passed into the hands of the pro-Vietnamese government. In 1989, Vietnamese troops were withdrawn from Cambodia. The situation in the country gradually returned to normal. In 1993, under the auspices of the UN, elections were held in the country, as a result of which royal power was restored. The country was returned to its former name – Cambodia. However, the Khmer Rouge boycotted the elections and continued their resistance, which ended only at the end of 1998. The Kingdom of Cambodia is currently part of ASEAN.
Rong Island.
Rong Island is two mountain ranges of volcanic origin with a maximum height of 460 m above sea level, connected by a plain of alluvial origin. The mountain slopes of Rong Island are covered with moist monsoon forests. The plain is a grassy savannah with areas of light forest and small reservoirs. Where the rivers flow into the ocean, mangrove thickets have formed, they are especially developed on the eastern coast facing Kampong Saom Bay. Multi-day tours are organized to the island with camping and hiking on its territory. In the vicinity of Rong there are several uninhabited islands.
