World Factbook
Cambodia
Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic transliteration)
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double-width), and blue; a three-towered, stylized white temple outlined in black is in the center of the red band, representing Angkor Wat meaning: red and blue are traditional Cambodian colors
note: only national flag to prominently incorporate an identifiable building into its design; Afghanistan, San Marino, Portugal, and Spain show small generic buildings as part of their coats of arms on the flag
Capital
name
Phnom Penh
etymology
the name means "mountain of plenty," from the Cambodian words phnom (mountain or hill) and penh (full)
time difference
UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
11 33 N, 104 55 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Cambodia
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
7 years
Constitution
history
previous 1947; latest promulgated 21 September 1993
amendment process
proposed by the monarch, by the prime minister, or by the president of the National Assembly if supported by one fourth of the Assembly membership; passage requires two-thirds majority of the Assembly membership; constitutional articles on the multiparty democratic form of government and the monarchy cannot be amended
Country name
former
Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia
etymology
the name is derived from Kambu, a legendary ancestor of the Cambodian people
local long form
Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic transliteration)
local short form
Kampuchea
conventional long form
Kingdom of Cambodia
conventional short form
Cambodia
Independence
9 November 1953 (from France)
Legal system
civil law system (influenced by the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia), customary law, Communist legal theory, and common law
Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Council (organized into 5- and 9-judge panels and includes a court chief and deputy chief); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members)
subordinate courts
Appellate Court; provincial and municipal courts; Military Court
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court and Constitutional Council judge candidates recommended by the Supreme Council of Magistracy, a 17-member body chaired by the monarch and includes other high-level judicial officers; judges of both courts appointed by the monarch; Supreme Court judges appointed for life; Constitutional Council judges appointed for 9-year terms with one third of the court renewed every 3 years
Executive branch
note
note: MANET succeeded his father, HUN SEN, who had been prime minister since 1985
cabinet
Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch
chief of state
King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004)
head of government
Prime Minister HUN MANET (since 22 August 2023)
election/appointment process
monarch chosen by the 9-member Royal Council of the Throne from among all eligible males of royal descent; after legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the monarch
National holiday
Independence Day, 9 November (1953)
National color(s)
red, blue
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
5 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Angkor; Temple of Preah Vihear; Sambor Prei Kuk; Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapora or Chok Gargyar; Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection (c)
Political parties
Cambodian People's Party (CPP) United National Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful and Co-operative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC)
note: the Cambodian Government has disqualified the main opposition Candlelight Party
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Nokoreach" (Royal Kingdom)
history
adopted 1941, restored 1993; the anthem, based on a Cambodian folk tune, was restored after the defeat of the Communist regime
lyrics/music
CHUON NAT/F. PERRUCHOT and J. JEKYLL
National symbol(s)
Angkor Wat temple, kouprey (wild ox)
National coat of arms
Cambodia’s coat of arms is also the Royal Arms of Cambodia; the lions symbolize strength, courage, and the divine protection of the monarchs; the lion on the left is a gajasingha (a lion with an elephant’s trunk), and the lion on the right is a rajasingha (royal lion); both hold five-tiered umbrellas representing the king and queen, and they stand on a blue ribbon that says “ Preah Chao Krung Kampuche” ' (King of the Kingdom of Cambodia); between the lions is a crown with the Unalome, the Buddhist and Hindu symbol for the spiritual path to enlightenment, under it and a ray of light on top
Administrative divisions
24 provinces ( khett , singular and plural) and 1 municipality ( krong , singular and plural) provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kampot, Kandal, Kep, Koh Kong, Kratie, Mondolkiri, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Sihanouk, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Pursat, Ratanakiri, Siem Reap, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Tbong Khmum municipalities: Phnom Penh (Phnum Penh)
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
National Assembly (Radhsphea Ney Preah Recheanachakr Kampuchea)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
125 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
7/23/2023
expected date of next election
July 2028
percentage of women in chamber
13.6%
parties elected and seats per party
Cambodian People's Party (CPP) (120); United National Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful and Co-operative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC) (5)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate
term in office
6 years
number of seats
62 (60 indirectly elected; 2 appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
2/25/2024
expected date of next election
February 2030
percentage of women in chamber
19.4%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 726-8381
chancery
4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone
[1] (202) 726-7742
chief of mission
Ambassador Koy KUONG (since 11 June 2025)
email address and website
camemb.usa@mfaic.gov.kh https://www.embassyofcambodiadc.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[855] (23) 728-700
embassy
#1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
telephone
[855] (23) 728-000
mailing address
4540 Phnom Penh Place, Washington DC 20521-4540
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Bridgette L. WALKER (since August 2024)
email address and website
ACSPhnomPenh@state.gov https://kh.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CICA, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction