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 Phnom Penh does have an eccentric charm. Seen from the river, palm trees and the pagoda-like spires of Khmer royal buildings rise over French-era shophouses and villas. |
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Introducing Phnom Penh
 Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. It is also the capital of the Phnom Penh municipality. It is an economic, industrial, commercial, cultural, tourist and historical center.
Once known as the "Pearl of Asia" in the 1920s, Phnom Penh, along with Siem Reap, is a significant global and domestic tourist destination for Cambodia. Phnom Penh is known for its traditional Khmer and French influenced architecture.
Phnom Penh is the wealthiest and most populous city in Cambodia. It is also the commercial, political and cultural hub of Cambodia and is home to more than one million of Cambodia's population of over 13 million.
Phnom Penh was also previously known as Krong Chaktomuk meaning "City of Four Faces". This name refers to the junction where the Mekong, Bassac, and Tonle Sap rivers cross to form an "X" where the capital is situated. Krong Chaktomuk is an abbreviation of its ceremonial name given by King Ponhea Yat which was "Krong Chaktomuk Mongkol Sakal Kampuchea Thipadei Sereythor Inthabot Borei Roth Reach Seima Maha Nokor".
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Geographical Of Phnom Penh
 Phnom Penh is located in the south-central region of Cambodia, at the confluence of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac rivers. These rivers provide potential fresh water and other resources. The city covers an area of 375 square kilometres which some 11,401 hectares in the municipality and 26,106 hectares of roads. The agricultural land in the municipality amounts to 34.685 square kilometres with some 1.476 square kilometres under irrigation.
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Weather All Year Round
 Climate
Phnom Penh's climate is generally tropical; therefore, it tends to be hot year-round with minor variations. The average temperature is between 77 to 85 degrees. In Phnom Penh, there are three basic seasons: the cool season from roughly November to January, the hot season from roughly February through May and the rainy season from roughly June through October.
The rainy, monsoon season consists of incessant rainfall. The summer season especially between February and March is when the weather tends to get scorching hot with unbearable levels of humidity. If visiting at this time, it is a necessity to keep well under the shade as much as possible, wear sun-screen and caps, and carry a big bottle of water. The heat can be very unforgiving especially for those unaccustomed to the weather. The best time to visit is in the winter, between December and January. During this time, the temperature is cooler but it is still warm and tropical. sweater or jacket after the sun sets
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Culture
 Phnom Penh, once called the jewel of Indochina, retains its precious, delicate quality despite its gruesome history. Though some visitors may be taken aback by the bustle and grim of Phnom Penh, most find themselves falling in love with its quaint sleepy cafes on the river, the colonial architecture and noble wats (temples) around the city. Phnom Penh still has a particular crumbling elegance and naiveté, a far cry from the fast-paced dog-eat-dog mentality found in other Asian capitals. It is divided up by a few major thoroughfares-Monivong and Norodom Boulevards going north-south and Pochentong and Sihounouk boulevards going east-west and the streets are numbered in grid fashion (i.e. Street 107, etc). Within these passages, visitors can ride motobikes, stroll by the lethargic river, hike up the winding stairs of Wats, munch of Steak frites or explore traditional Khmer cuisine, or simply sip a coffee and dream on a side café. Travelers enjoy a day visiting the well-maintained Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, where historical monuments from Khmer history are delicately displayed. In addition, Phnom Penh does not ignore its grim past; at Tuol Sleng museum, one is confronted bluntly with the horrific nature of the Pol Pot's reign. A day trip to the Killing Fields further commits to memory this dark time in Cambodia's history. In fact, it is hard to believe with the vivacity and energy of this city, that only 30 some years ago, this town endured such hardship. Visitors should not that local Cambodians tend to be on the shy side and keep to themselves, but if anything, offer a calm smile. Also, it is not familiar in Cambodian custom to take pictures so tourists should be respect this and not take pictures of the locals.
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