Kampong Thom

Kampong Thom is Cambodia's second-largest province in terms of area. 

It is located in the center of the country, halfway between Phnom Penh (approximately 160–170 km north) and Siem Reap (Angkor Wat area). 

Capital: Kampong Thom (also called Stung Saen), a quiet, picturesque city on the banks of the Stung Saen River. 

Sights: Known for important Angkorian temples, especially Sambor Prei Kuk (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017), the oldest complete temple city from the pre-Angkor period (7th–8th century, Ishanavarman I period). 

Landscape: Primarily flat lowlands, with many rice paddies, rural areas, and nature. 

Borders the Tonlé Sap Lake region (affecting fishing and agriculture). 

Population: Relatively sparsely populated compared to surrounding provinces; economy based on agriculture (rice), fishing, and some tourism. 

Travel: Popular as a stopover or layover on the Phnom Penh to Siem Reap route. 

Quieter and less touristy than the major highlights. 

In short: a central, green province with a rich pre-Angkor history (especially Sambor Prei Kuk), ideal for those seeking peace and quiet and authentic Cambodian countryside.

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Kampot

Kampot Province (Cambodia) is a province in the southwest of the country, known for its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful nature, and authentic charm. 

It is much less touristy than Siem Reap or Phnom Penh and particularly attracts those seeking slow travel.

Capital: Kampot City – a charming, sleepy riverside town on the Preaek Tuek Chhu River with French colonial architecture, an old-school atmosphere, and many good coffees, bars, and guesthouses. 

Famous for: World-class Kampot pepper – one of the best and most expensive peppers in the world (with GI status, like champagne). 

Salt fields (salt pans) along the coast. 

Bokor Hill/Bokor National Park – old French hill station ruins, casino ghost town, jungle, waterfalls, and viewpoints. 

Karst mountains with caves (including Phnom Chhnork, Phnom Kbal Romeas). 

Quiet beaches and islands nearby (such as Rabbit Island/Koh Thmei). 

Close to Kep (the crab capital) and the Vietnamese border (Ha Tien). 

In short: Kampot = relaxed river town + epic nature + top-notch pepper + French nostalgia + minimal mass tourism. Ideal if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Angkor or the islands.

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Kandal

Kandal (ខេត្តកណ្ដាល – literally "Middle") is a province in southeastern Cambodia that completely surrounds the capital Phnom Penh (but does not include Phnom Penh itself). 

It is the second most populous province in the country (after Phnom Penh), with over 1.3 million inhabitants on approximately 3,200–3,500 km². 

Capital: Ta Khmau (Takhmao), just 8–10 km south of central Phnom Penh. Economy: Serves as the capital's economic hinterland. 

It has many textile and garment factories (more than 500,000 employees), as well as agriculture (rice, palm oil, peanuts, pepper), livestock farming, fishing, and handicrafts (silk weaving, wood carving, silversmithing). 

Landscape: Primarily flat, humid lowlands with rice paddies, dominated by the Mekong and Bassac rivers. Sights: Oudong (former royal capital 1618–1866 with stupas and ruins), various pagodas (including Angkor Chey, Phnom Prasith), silk-weaving villages, Cham mosques and islands such as Koh Dach. Population: Predominantly Khmer, with minorities including Cham (currently around 4%), Vietnamese, and Chinese. 

Kandal is a mix of industrial areas around Phnom Penh, rural countryside, and historical sites—very important to the economy of Cambodia as a whole.

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Koh Kong

Koh Kong Province (Khmer: ខេត្តកោះកុង) is the southwesternmost province of Cambodia, directly on the border with Thailand. 

Capital: Khemarak Phoumin (also called Koh Kong City), near the Thai border (Cham Yeam/Hat Lek crossing). 

Landscape: Primarily mountainous and densely forested (part of the Cardamom Mountains, with one of the largest contiguous rainforests in Southeast Asia). 

Long undeveloped coastline on the Gulf of Thailand, mangroves, waterfalls, and several islands (Koh Kong Island is Cambodia's largest island). 

Protected areas: Includes Botum Sakor National Park and parts of other parks—very rich in biodiversity and ecotourism. 

Economy: Traditionally low, but growing due to border trade with Thailand, fishing, tourism, and large (Sino-Cambodian) port and resort projects (such as Dara Sakor). 

Tourism: Popular as a gateway from Thailand. 

Known for jungle trekking, waterfalls (such as Tatai and Kbal Chhay), mangrove kayaking, pristine beaches and islands. 

Less mass tourism than Sihanoukville, more adventurous and nature-oriented.

Climate: Tropical — cool season (Nov-Mar), hot season (Mar-May), rainy season (May-Oct). 

Koh Kong is still relatively quiet and unspoiled, ideal for those seeking nature, jungle, and less touristy spots. 

Formerly a kind of "Wild West" borderland, it is now increasingly accessible via the good road (National Road 48) to Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.

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Kep

Kep is the smallest province and a quiet coastal town in southern Cambodia, near the Vietnamese border and about 2–3 hours from Phnom Penh. 

History — Founded by the French in 1908 as a chic seaside resort. 

In the 1950s and 1960s, it was Cambodia's elite resort (with modernist-style villas of New Khmer architecture). 

During the Khmer Rouge period (1975–1979), everything fell into disrepair; many luxury villas were abandoned or looted and now stand in ruins on the hills (eerie but photogenic).

Current Atmosphere — Quiet, relaxed, much less mass-tourism than Sihanoukville. 

Popular with Cambodians themselves on weekends and with travelers seeking peace and quiet and good food. 

Known for: Kep Crab Market → the main attraction: fresh crab (especially with Kampot pepper), shrimp, fish, and other seafood. 

You choose your own, and they prepare it immediately. 

Kep Beach → small, semicircular beach with calm seas. 

Not pristine white sand, but great for swimming. 

Bustier on weekends with locals. 

Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island) → small island a 20–30-minute boat ride away. 

Beautiful beaches, clear water, basic huts, and restaurants. 

Kep National Park → jungle-like hills directly behind the town. 

Good hiking trails, butterflies, viewpoints, and views of the sea. Remains of the old villas → walk/cycle among the dilapidated French and Khmer modernist houses (some now covered in graffiti).

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Kracheh

Brief summary of Kratié (Kracheh) Province, Cambodia Kratié (also spelled Kracheh or Krâchéh; Khmer: ក្រចេះ) is a quiet, sparsely populated province in northeastern Cambodia. 

It lies largely along the mighty Mekong River (approximately 140 km through the province) and borders Stung Treng (north), Mondulkiri (east), Kampong Thom and Kampong Cham (west), and Vietnam (south).

Capital: Kratié City (Krong Kracheh), a sleepy but beautiful town on the Mekong River with French colonial architecture and a relaxed atmosphere. 

Main tourist attraction: the rare Irrawaddy river dolphins (critically endangered), best spotted at Kampi (15 km north of the city).

Landscape: abundant dense forests, rubber plantations, seasonal river islands, and some hills (such as Phnom Sambok and Phnom Pram Poan). 

Population: approximately 400,000–440,000 inhabitants, low population density (primarily along the river, but very remote and forested elsewhere). 

Economy: primarily agriculture (rice), fishing, and rubber; one of the poorer provinces, but with good secondary school results. 

Other highlights include pagodas (such as the 100-Pillar Temple), local markets, cycling tours on islands like Koh Trong, and typical rural life. 

In short: Kratié is ideal for those seeking peace, nature, and a genuine Mekong atmosphere, far from the mass tourism of Siem Reap or Sihanoukville.

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Mondol Kiri

Mondol Kiri (in Khmer: មណ្ឌលគីរី) is a province in eastern Cambodia. 

Meaning of the name: "Center of the Mountains" or "Meeting of the Hills" (from Sanskrit and Khmer). 

Nickname: Often called the "Switzerland of Cambodia" because of its green, rolling hills, cool climate, and pine forests at an altitude of about 800 m. 

Capital: Sen Monorom (a quiet town with a few thousand inhabitants). 

Area and population: It is the largest province in terms of area (approximately 14,000 km²), but also the most sparsely populated in Cambodia (only about 60,000–90,000 inhabitants). 

Population: More than 80% belong to ethnic minorities, primarily the Bunong (Phnong) tribe, with their own language, traditions, and way of life (often in harmony with nature, elephants, and rice cultivation). Nature and tourism: Known for dense jungle, waterfalls (especially the impressive Bou Sra waterfall), elephants (ethical sanctuaries where you can walk with rescued elephants), protected areas, and ecotourism. 

It is one of the last wild places in Southeast Asia with rich biodiversity (but threatened by deforestation and mining). 

Climate: Cooler and fresher than the rest of Cambodia, especially in the evenings. 

In short: Mondol Kiri is the ideal place if you're looking for peace, unspoiled nature, waterfalls, elephants, and an introduction to indigenous tribes—far from the mass tourism of Angkor or the coast.

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