Cambodia - Culture Smart!

Say Cambodia and two associations often come to mind: the lost glories of Angkor and the horrors of the Khmer Rouge. Any understanding of Cambodia today however must embrace these opposites as well as the changing attitudes within the country caused by something of a demographic revolution—today close to seventy percent of Cambodians are under thirty.In the past Cambodia was the center of the Khmer empire. For six hundred years it ruled much of what is now Vietnam Laos and Thailand from its capital at Angkor. The ruins of the Khmer palaces temples and cities testify to its power wealth high culture and engineering prowess while their subsequent abandonment and long obscurity provide a sobering example of civilization's fragility. Today Cambodia is negotiating its rich and complex past with the challenges of modernity in a globalized world.Culture Smart! Cambodia is for all those who want to do more than just scratch the surface of this fascinating country. Thoroughly updated this new edition will enrich your understanding of the land and its people. It explains the key values attitudes customs and traditions that you need to be aware of and provides practical tips and vital information on how to make the most of your time in Cambodia.