Kampuchea
Kingdom of Kampuchea កម្ពុជា | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Location of Kampuchea | |
| Capital | Phnom Penh |
| Official languages | Kampuchean (Khmer) |
| Demonym | Kampuchean |
| Government | Constitutional Monarchy |
Kampuchea (Kampuchean: កម្ពុជា) is a country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Thaitania to the east and Viet Nam to the west. It was formerly a French protectorate established in 1869. It gained independence from France after the Great War (1935-1939) and is presently an independent constitutional monarchy. With a population of over 10 million people, the country has a rich history and culture, including the ancient Khmer Empire and its famous temple complex Angkor Wat. However, Kampuchea has also experienced political instability, including a civil war from 1946 to 1949 between the royalist government and national republican rebels supported by Thaitania.
Etymology
The origin of the word "Kampuchea" is believed to come from the Sanskrit word "Kambujadesa," which means "the land of the Kambuja people." The Kambuja people were an ancient Indo-Aryan tribe that settled in the region during the 5th century. Over time, the name evolved into various forms such as Kambuja, Kambodge, and finally, Kampuchea. The name "Kampuchea" was officially adopted by the country's government during its independence in 1939.
History
Kampuchea was a French protectorate established in 1869, with French influence increasing in the country over the years. In 1939, France was defeated in the Great War, leading to the establishment of an independent Kampuchean monarchy. However, the country was soon engulfed in a civil war that began in 1946, pitting the royalist government against the National Republican rebels, who were clandestinely backed by Thaitania (formerly the Siamese National Republic) and, by extension, the International Republican Coalition. The conflict lasted until 1949 and resulted in the victory of the royalist forces.
