Cambodia - General

Cambodia's flag is the only one in the world to feature a building, Angkor Wat, which is also the world's largest religious monument. Many Cambodians don't celebrate their birthdays because they consider the new year to be their "official" birthday. Additionally, insects like crickets and tarantulas are popular snacks, and the US dollar is widely used alongside the official Cambodian Riel.  

Culture and landmarks

• Angkor Wat is the world's largest religious monument and is featured on the Cambodian flag, a detail unique to the country's flag. 
• Many Cambodians don't celebrate individual birthdays and believe they age a year at the Cambodian New Year. 
• The Tonlé Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and can change its flow direction seasonally. 
• Buddhism is the official religion, practiced by the majority of the population. 

Food and economy

• Insects are a common snack, with people commonly eating crickets and tarantulas. 
• While the official currency is the Cambodian Riel (KHR), the US dollar is widely used, especially in tourist areas. 
• There is no McDonald's in Cambodia. 

History and demographics

• The country has a young population; half of the population is under the age of 15 due to the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s, which killed millions of people, including many elders. 
• Cambodia has a history of changing its name multiple times, with different regimes like the Khmer Rouge and the People's Republic of Kampuchea being in power. 
• Despite its rich history, Cambodia is still working on clearing active landmines from the countryside.