The modern name, Angkor Wat (alternate name: Nokor Wat), means "Temple City" or "City of Temples" in Khmer Angkor meaning "city" or "capital city", is a vernacular form of the word nokor, which comes from the Sanskrit word nagara. Unlike the other Angkor monuments, it was never abandoned to the elements and has been in virtually continuous use since it was built.
The temple is the heart and soul of Cambodia and a source of fierce national pride. The Cambodian god-kings of old each strove to better their ancestors’ structures in size, scale, and symmetry, culminating in what is believed to be the world’s largest religious building. Angkor wat even appears on the Cambodian flag.įirst thing first, what is Angkor Wat then?Īngkor Wat – built by Suryavarman II (r 1112–52) – is the earthly representation of Mount Meru, the Mount Olympus of the Hindu faith, and the abode of ancient gods. The ancient ruins of the Khmer empire are the primary reason travelers visit Cambodia - over two million people crawl all over the UNESCO World Heritage site each year. The temples clearly deserved a spot on the list and can hold their own against the likes of Machu Picchu and others. The impressive ruins that make up the world's largest religious monument don't get nearly as much world attention as they should.Īngkor Wat didn't even make the New 7 Wonders of the World list as voted by the internet in 2007. Other than travelers in Southeast Asia and archeology enthusiasts, it's surprising how many people don't know the location of Angkor Wat. Instead, modern travelers get to enjoy good food and nightlife in Siem Reap before setting off on expeditions. The Gulf of Cambodia is the lowest point at 0 m.Travelers have heard about Cambodia's ancient wonder, but exactly where is Angkor Wat? What does it take to visit?įortunately, visiting Angkor Wat no longer requires bushwhacking with a machete, although there are some temples yet to be reclaimed from the jungle. The highest point in Cambodia (marked by a yellow upright triangle on the map) is the 1,810 m (5,938 ft) high Phnom Aural. Over 50 islands are located off the coast of Cambodia. As observed on the map, the Cardamom Mountains are found to the west and southwest, Dangret Mountains and the Eastern Highlands occur to the north and northeast respectively.Ĭambodia also features a 443 km long coast along the Gulf of Thailand to the south and south-west. Mountains and highlands are found around the Central Plain region. The Tonlé Sap Lake is a large lake that is connected to the Mekong River by the 120 km long Tonlé Sap River.
The plain features the basin of the Tonle Sap Lake, the Bassac River plain, and the flood-plains of the lowest Mekong River. km in mainland Southeast Asia.Īs observed on the physical map above, Cambodia is primarily a low-lying country with the Central Plain occupying an extensive part of its area.
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