Capital of Cambodia: Phnom Penh — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Cambodia is Phnom Penh. Cambodia sits in Asia, has a population of 16,767,842, and uses the KHR. Official languages include Khmer.
Quick facts
- Capital: Phnom Penh
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~16,767,842
- Area: 181,035 km²
- Population density: 92.6 people per km²
- Official language: Khmer
- Currency: KHR
- ISO code: KH
How big is Cambodia?
By population, Cambodia ranks 73rd in the world, holding roughly 0.21% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 88th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Cambodia has 92.6 people per square kilometre, which is somewhat above the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Cambodia is the 26th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Cambodia in population are Zimbabwe (16,320,537) and Senegal (17,316,449).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Syria (185,180 km²) and Uruguay (176,215 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Khmer is listed as an official language of Cambodia alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
Cambodia uses the KHR, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Cambodia
Phnom Penh stands where the Tonlé Sap river meets the Mekong, and its old name Krong Chaktomuk means 'city of Brahma's faces'. After independence it earned the nickname 'Pearl of Asia'. For the flag, a white temple, Angkor Wat, on a red band.
The flag of Cambodia: blue, red and white
🇰🇠The flag is three horizontal stripes of blue, red (twice as wide) and blue, with a white three-towered temple in the centre. The temple is Angkor Wat. Red and blue are traditional Cambodian colours.
Region and neighbours
Cambodia is a country in mainland Southeast Asia, on the Gulf of Thailand, with a low plain around the Mekong river and the Tonlé Sap lake. It shares land borders with 3 countries: Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
- Thailand 🇹🇠— capital Bangkok
- Laos 🇱🇦 — capital Vientiane
- Vietnam 🇻🇳 — capital Hanoi
Three facts about Cambodia
- Angkor Wat is the most famous of the vast building projects of the Khmer Empire, which was centred on Cambodia for about 600 years.
- Tonlé Sap is Southeast Asia's largest lake.
- Khmer is the official language and script of Cambodia.
Sources: Wikipedia: Cambodia, Wikipedia: Flag of Cambodia, Wikipedia: Phnom Penh, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Cambodia
- Asian capitals quiz — match Cambodia to Phnom Penh
- Asian flags quiz — spot the Cambodia flag among its neighbours
Cambodia capital quiz
What is the capital of Cambodia 🇰�
- Phnom Penh
- Vientiane
- Astana
- Thimphu
Show answer
Phnom Penh
What is the capital of Kazakhstan 🇰🇿?
- Manila
- Abu Dhabi
- Doha
- Astana
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Astana
What is the capital of Sri Lanka 🇱🇰?
- Kathmandu
- Colombo
- Bangkok
- Baku
Show answer
Colombo
What is the capital of Syria 🇸🇾?
- Seoul
- Baku
- Singapore
- Damascus
Show answer
Damascus
What is the capital of Taiwan 🇹🇼?
- Hanoi
- Taipei
- Sana'a
- Kuala Lumpur
Show answer
Taipei
Cambodia is also in the Southeast Asia capitals quiz.
Cambodia in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Cambodia belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Cambodia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Cambodia?
The capital of Cambodia is Phnom Penh.
What is the population of Cambodia?
About 16,767,842, making it the 73rd most populous country in the world.
How big is Cambodia?
181,035 square kilometres, ranking 88th by land area, at a density of 92.6 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Cambodia use?
The KHR, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Cambodia flag?
The flag of Cambodia is three horizontal stripes of blue, red (twice as wide) and blue, with a white three-towered temple in the centre. The temple is Angkor Wat. Red and blue are traditional Cambodian colours.
Which countries border Cambodia?
Cambodia shares land borders with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
How can I remember the capital of Cambodia?
Phnom Penh stands where the Tonlé Sap river meets the Mekong, and its old name Krong Chaktomuk means 'city of Brahma's faces'. After independence it earned the nickname 'Pearl of Asia'. For the flag, a white temple, Angkor Wat, on a red band.
More capitals to learn
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