Cambodia

Throughout most of its recent history, Cambodia has been beset by political strife. After gaining independence from France in 1953, the country was dragged by global politics into a period of profound violence. In 1975, the Communist Khmer Rouge captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns, causing the deaths of around 1.5 million Cambodians through execution, starvation, and hardship. Cambodia fared somewhat better during the 10-year Vietnamese occupation that followed. In 1991, the Paris Peace Accords led to a ceasefire and eventually to free elections. However, the long years of political strife left Cambodia struggling economically and environmentally.

Bordering on the Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia has a coastline of 443 kilometers. The climate is tropical with seasonal variations. The rainy season generally lasts from ...