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1. Cambodia is a country of water |
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Tonle Sap: Source of Lives
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About Cambodia The kingdom of Cambodia, situated in Southeast Asia, covers an area of more than 181,000 km2. Cambodia is relatively small compared to its neighbors. The central plains of the Mekong river and the Tonle Sap lake form the heart of the country. They're surrounded by high plateaus, hills (phnom) and mountain ranges reaching up to 1744 m. A complex system of rivers and lakes helps offset Cambodia's poor soils. The country's landscape has long provided Cambodians with a wealth of resources, and its water resources are among the country's major strengths. |
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Cambodia is a gift from the Mekong The 4200 km Mekong river (or "mother of rivers") is the 12th longest river in the world. Starting in Tibet, it passes through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam before flowing into the South China Sea. In Cambodia, where it runs for 486 km, the Mekong has always played a crucial role, providing irrigation water and an essential source of fishing. In all the bordering countries, more and more projects are being implemented or planned to regulate the flow of the river. |
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A country given rhythm by two seasons As you're probably aware, Cambodia's climate is hot and humid. There are pronounced wet and dry seasons. The dry season lasts from November to April. During the wet season, from April to early October, a cooler wind (the monsoon) comes in from the Indian Ocean and brings with it 80% of the annual rainfall. This abundance of water is both an asset and a drawback for agriculture. While rainfall is ideal for the cultivation of wet rice, heavy flooding can also be very harmful to ricefields and pastures. [next] |
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