Throughout the book, we will explore some of Cambodia's most iconic cultural sites, such as the Angkor Wat temple complex, the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. We will also take you off the beaten path, introducing you to some of Cambodia's lesser-known cultural treasures, such as the traditional Cambodian village of Kampong Khleang and the floating markets of Tonle Sap Lake. As we journey through Cambodia's cultural landscape, we will explore the country's rich history and traditions, from its ancient Khmer Empire to its modern-day revival of traditional arts and crafts. We will introduce you to Cambodia's diverse ethnic groups and explore the role of religion and spirituality in Cambodian culture, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and animism. In addition to exploring Cambodia's cultural heritage, we will also provide practical information about travel in Cambodia, including tips for navigating the country's complex visa requirements, transportation options, and accommodations. We will also provide recommendations for restaurants, shopping, and other cultural experiences that will help you make the most of your trip to Cambodia. We hope that this book will inspire you to explore the rich cultural heritage of Cambodia and to immerse yourself in the country's vibrant traditions and customs. We also hope that it will serve as a practical guide for those who are planning a trip to Cambodia, providing valuable information and insights into the country's cultural landscape.

Cambodia, also known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is located in Southeast Asia with Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east and the Gulf of Thailand to the south. The country has a rich and tumultuous history with ancient Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms, European colonialism and the devastating rule of the Khmer Rouge. Despite its troubled past, Cambodia has made significant progress in recent decades and is emerging as a popular tourist destination. Cambodia's capital city is Phnom Penh, which is known for its French colonial architecture, bustling markets, and the Royal Palace. Other popular tourist destinations include Siem Reap, home to the famous Angkor Wat temple complex, and Sihanoukville, a coastal city with stunning beaches and offshore islands. The country's official language is Khmer, and the currency is the Cambodian riel. Cambodia's economy largely relies on agriculture, with rice being the main crop, and tourism has become a significant source of income in recent years.

This book examines knowledge traditions that held together the fluid and overlapping maritime worlds of the Indian Ocean in the premodern period, as evident in the material and archaeological record. It breaks new ground by shifting the focus from studying cross-pollination of ideas from textual sources to identifying this exchange of ideas in archaeological and historical documentation. The themes covered in the book include conceptualization of the seas and maritime landscapes in Sanskrit, Arabic and Chinese narratives; materiality of knowledge production as indicated in the archaeological record of communities where writing on stone first appears; and anchoring the coasts, not only through an understanding of littoral shrines and ritual landscapes, but also by an analysis of religious imagery on coins, more so at the time of the introduction of new religions such as Islam in the Indian Ocean around the eighth century. This volume will be of great interest to researchers and scholars of archaeology, anthropology, museum and heritage studies, Indian Ocean studies, maritime studies, South and Southeast Asian studies, religious studies and cultural studies.

Accompanying DVD-ROM contains over 800 additional images.

Cambodian Buddhism in the United States is the first comprehensive anthropological study of Khmer Buddhism as practiced by Khmer refugees in the United States. Based on research conducted at Khmer temples and sites throughout the country over a period of three and a half decades, Carol A. Mortland uses participant observation, open-ended interviews, life histories, and dialogues with Khmer monks and laypeople to explore the everyday practice of Khmer religion, including spirit beliefs and healing rituals. This ethnography is enriched and supplemented by the use of historical accounts, reports, memoirs, unpublished life histories, and family memorabilia painstakingly preserved by refugees. Mortland also traces the changes that Cambodians have made to religion as they struggle with the challenges of living in a new country, learning English, and supporting themselves. The beliefs and practices of Khmer Muslims and Khmer Christians in the United States are also reviewed.