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Geography

Located in south-east Asia, the Kingdom of Cambodia has a surface area of about 181,000 km2 and shares borders with Thailand, Laos and Viet Nam. The vast Mekong river flows through flat lowland plains in the middle of the country as it follows its course southwards from the Lao People's Democratic Republic through Cambodia to Viet Nam. The lowland plains adjacent to the Mekong give way to upland plains, or plateaux. Beyond are hilly and mountainous uplands, mainly along the northern border and the coast. The vast lake of Tonle Sap lies in the west. The climate is hot and humid throughout the year, with a monsoon season from April to October.

The estimated population in 2005 was 14.1 million, and population growth is about 2 percent annually. About 38 per cent of Cambodians are under 15 years of age.

Agriculture

Although agriculture's share in the gross domestic product (GDP) is steadily decreasing, in 2005 the sector accounted for almost one third of GDP. The sector employs most of the country's labour force. About 15 per cent of the land area is given over to agriculture. Rice, the principal crop, is cultivated on 90 per cent of the total planted area and mainly in the fertile, irrigated land of the Mekong River basin. Farmers cultivate other food crops on 8 per cent of planted land and they produce industrial crops such as rubber and tobacco on 2 per cent of the land. Livestock is an important part of the agricultural sector.

Overall productivity is low because of low levels of technology, poor soils and recurrent floods and droughts. Food shortages are common in many areas. Crops account for almost half of agriculture's share of GDP, followed by fish, livestock and forest products. Fisheries have a good potential, particularly in the area of Tonle Sap Lake.

The environment is suffering as a result of illegal logging of timber for export, topsoil erosion and flooding.

Economy

After decades of war and bloody internal conflict, the country continues to depend on foreign aid. In 2005 GDP was an estimated US$5.4 billion, and gross national income per capita was US$380. Industry and services are rapidly overtaking agriculture as the country's principal economic activities. Clothing exports provide much of Cambodia's foreign exchange. Tourism is an important source of revenue, and the temple complex at Angkor built by the Khmer kings, a United Nations Heritage site, attracts many visitors.

Source: IFAD