The current population of Cambodia is some 14 Million people
Male life expectancy at present is 59.3 years
Female life expectancy at present is 63.4 years.
A bit of History on Cambodia.
The 13th and 14th centuries were not at all successful for Cambodia.
It is largely believed that the country was badly ravaged in wars with Thailand, Siam as it then was which was becoming more powerful during this period of history.
SIAM had been previously paying homage and respect to Angkor.
Others believe the induction of Theravada Buddhism, which was extremely contrary to the Cambodian social structure at that time.
The historical records are rather sketchy at best regarding Cambodia and it is considered the "Dark Ages" of Cambodian history.
Cambodia was continually ravaged by Vietnamese and Siam invasions, wars and general torment until the 19th century, when new dynasties in these countries fought over control of Cambodia.
The war, beginning in the 1830's virtually destroyed Cambodia. There are still strong disagreements with Thailand and Cambodia also Vietnam and Cambodia regarding land and border issues.
King Norodom signed a treaty enabling the French protect the country,thereby creating a more safe environment for the Cambodians by stopping the wars the country was involved in with both Vietnam and Siam.
The French really ruled Cambodia for almost a hundred years from that time (hence the French connection throughout the country, especially Phnom Penh officially speaking though they were just advisor's.
Advisor's with the final say on all important topics and matters,
The French built roadways and improved certain living standards in Phnom Penh for instance, they encouraged improvement in trade and transportation for instance.
However, they very sadly neglected the education for the Cambodians and the levels of the same are still extremely poor up to this day.
It is a part of their existence which has never really got off the ground.
Little wonder when you realise the way the country has been run and controlled in general.
I would recommend two books myself for outstanding reading and information.
Pol Pot
Author Philip Short.
The History of a Nightmare
Pot was the architect of a nightmare. The personal vision he had of a Shangri-La, Utopia was enforced by a period of unbelievable terror. How he even thought of carrying out this madness, let alone trying to consider what he hoped to achieve by the same is beyond any form of normality.
The true number of Cambodians to have perished will probable never be known. At least one million, some claim more likely to be two million.
This was a beautiful land, a land which had suffered through no fault of it's own.
Quote from William Shawcross Daily Telegraph.
'An impressive study - first hand accounts of the destruction, the paranoia, the unspeakable cruelty and the day to day banality of the Khmer Rouge leaders.'
Quote:- Johnathen Mirsky Literary Review.
'A comprehensive and eloquent biography of a monster'
The second book is:-
Daughter of The Killing Fields.
Asrei's Story
Author Theary C Seng
Asrei was a toddler when the Khmer Rouge killed her father. In prison she fell asleep in her mother's arms and woke to find her gone forever.
The book tells how Asrei {Theary Seng} spends her early years passed from one set of relatives to another, amidst a backdrop of soldiers, landmines, inadequate refugee camps and unrelenting death.
Confronted by a sea of human suffering from the age of three, she very soon learned that; ' life is but a breath.'
It's a tonic to the soul to see improvements as are obvious today and the obvious peace and tranquility of a scene like this.
However, I want to give you an insight into the terrible occurences from one of the prisons, The Toul Sleng.
Following a short account of this I will devote more time in the coming week to the more modern day Cambodia.