Phnom Penh#Highways

Phnom Penh ({{lit|Penh's hill}}) takes its name from the present Wat Phnom ({{lit|hill temple}}), or from the ancient Funan Kingdom, which existed from the 1st to the 7th century AD in Southeast Asia and was the forerunner of the current Cambodian monarchy. Legend has it that in 1372, a wealthy widow named Penh found a Koki tree floating down the Tonlé Sap River after a storm.{{cite web|url=http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/asia/cambodia/phnom-penh-around/|title=Phnom Penh and around Guide – Cambodia Travel|website=Rough Guides}} Inside the tree were four bronze Buddha statues and a stone statue of Vishnu. Penh ordered villagers to raise the height of the hill northeast of her house and used the Koki wood to build a temple on the hill to house the four Buddha statues, and a shrine for the Vishnu image slightly lower down. The temple became known as Wat Phnom Daun Penh, which is now known as Wat Phnom, a small hill {{convert|27|m}} in height.

Phnom Penh's former official name is Krong Chaktomuk Serei Mongkol ({{langx|km|ក្រុងចតុមុខសិរីមង្គល}}, lit. "city of Brahma's faces"), in its short form as Krong Chaktomuk ({{lit|city of four faces}}). Krong Chaktomuk is an abbreviation of the full name, given to it by King Ponhea Yat: Krong Chaktomuk Mongkol Sakal Kampuchea Thipadei Serei Theakreak Bavar Intabat Borei Roat Reach Seima Moha Nokor ({{langx|km|ក្រុងចតុមុខមង្គលសកលកម្ពុជាធិបតី សិរីធរបវរ ឥន្ទបត្តបុរី រដ្ឋរាជសីមាមហានគរ}} {{IPA|km|kɾoŋ catomuk mɔŋkɔl sakɑl kampuciətʰəpaɗəj serəj tʰeareaɓɑːʋɑː ʔenteapat ɓorəj rɔətʰariəcsəjmaː mɔhaːnɔkɔː|}}). This loosely translates as "the place of four rivers that gives the happiness and success of the Khmer Kingdom, the highest leader as well as impregnable city of the God Indra of the great kingdom".[http://sopheak.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/phnom-penh-full-name/ Sopheak wordpress]

The initial settlement of Phnom Penh is believed to have been established since the 5th century AD, according to the discovery of ancient kiln site in Choeung Ek commune of Dangkao district, southern part of central Phnom Penh in the early 2000s. Choeung Ek archaeological site was one of the largest kiln pottery center in Cambodia and the earliest known kiln sites in Southeast Asia to produce the ceremonial vessels known as kendi from 5th to 13th century.{{cite web | url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/cambodia/phnom-penh/attractions/killing-fields-of-choeung-ek/a/poi-sig/441632/355881 | title=Killing Fields of Choeung Ek {{pipe}} Phnom Penh, Cambodia {{pipe}} Attractions }} Archaeologists stated that a large community is surrounded by a circular earthwork structure that is 740 metres in diameter and 4 metres high, built in the 11th century. In addition, there are remnants of other ancient village infrastructure, irrigation system, inscription, Shiva linga as well as an ancient brick temple foundation and its ornate remains which dated back to Funan era.{{cite web |url=https://ams.com.kh/khmercivilization/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/%E1%9E%9F%E1%9F%92%E1%9E%90%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%93%E1%9E%B8%E1%9E%99%E1%9E%94%E1%9E%BB%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%8E%E1%9E%87%E1%9E%BE%E1%9E%84%E1%9E%AF%E1%9E%80.pdf |title=Choeung Ek archaeological site: The priceless cultural resource for national heritage of Cambodia. (in Khmer) |author=Phon Kaseka |access-date=14 March 2021}}

First recorded a century after it is said to have taken place, the legend of the founding of Phnom Penh tells of a local woman, Penh (commonly referred to as Daun Penh (Lady Penh in Khmer), living at Chaktomuk, the future Phnom Penh.{{cite web |url=https://khmerlegends.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-origin-of-phnom-penh-city.html/ |title=THE ORIGIN OF PHNOM PENH CITY |website=khmerlegends.blogspot.com |date=28 March 2015 |access-date=14 May 2025}} It was the late 14th century,{{cite web |url=https://www.cambodianess.com/article/how-did-phnom-penh-get-its-name |title=How Did Phnom Penh Get its Name? |author=Cambodianess |date=27 April 2024 |access-date=14 May 2025}} and the Khmer capital was still at Angkor near Siem Reap {{cvt|350|km|0}} to the north. Gathering firewood along the banks of the river, Lady Penh spied a floating koki tree in the river and fished it from the water. Inside the tree she found four Buddha statues and one of Vishnu.{{cite web |url=https://helloangkor.com/attractions/phnom-v/ |title=Wat Phnom – Phnom Penh |website=helloangkor.com |access-date=14 May 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ekhmer.com/general-posts/the-history-of-phnom-penh/ |title=The History of Phnom Penh |website=ekhmer.com |date=16 November 2022 |access-date=14 May 2025}}

File:Wat phnom1.jpgFile:Pagoda of Wat Phnom.jpg on the top of Wat Phnom|alt=]]

The discovery was taken as a divine blessing, and to some a sign that the Khmer capital was to be brought to Phnom Penh from Angkor.{{Cite book |last=Cambodia. Krasuaṅ Ghosanākār nẏṅ Vappadharm |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ITxfsj1iE38C |title=Prajum rẏan breṅ Khmaer, Volume 5 |date=1990 |publisher=Buddha Sāsanapaṇdity, Original from University of California, Berkeley |language=km}} To house the new-found sacred objects, Penh raised a small hill on the west bank of the Tonle Sap River and crowned it with a shrine, now known as Wat Phnom at the north end of central Phnom Penh. "Phnom" is Khmer for "hill" and Penh's hill took on the name of the founder, and the area around it became known after the hill.{{cite web |url=https://phnompenhnow.com/wat-phnom-the-heart-and-soul-of-phnom-penh/ |title=Wat Phnom: The Heart and Soul of Phnom Penh |website=phnompenhnow.com |date=16 September 2023 |access-date=14 May 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cambodialifestyle.com/cambodian-legend-of-phnom-penh/ |title=The Cambodian Legend of Phnom Penh: A Personal Journey Into the Origins of a Capital |website=cambodialifestyle.com |date=10 October 2024 |access-date=14 May 2025}}

Phnom Penh first became the capital of Cambodia after Ponhea Yat (c. 1390 – 1463), king of the Khmer Empire, moved the capital from Angkor Thom after it was captured and destroyed by Siam a few years earlier. There is a stupa{{efn|The prominent stupa immediately west of the sanctuary contains the ashes of King Ponhea Yat and his royal family. This stupa is a significant historical site, reflecting the city's rich cultural heritage.{{cite web |url=https://cambodiatourismfreeonline.blogspot.com/2016/02/wat-phnom-history.html |title=Wat Phnom History |website=cambodiatourismfreeonline.blogspot.com |date=February 2016 |access-date=14 May 2025}}}} behind Wat Phnom that houses the remains of Ponhea Yat and the royal family as well as the remaining Buddhist statues from the Angkorean era.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}} In the 17th century, Japanese immigrants also settled on the outskirts of present-day Phnom Penh.Japan Times Online [http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080216f2.html Researcher locates 17th-century Japanese village in Cambodia]. Retrieved January 20, 2009. A small Portuguese community survived in Phnom Penh until the 17th century, undertaking commercial and religious activity in the country.{{cite web |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/cambodia-catholic-church |title=CAMBODIA, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN |website=encyclopedia.com |access-date=14 May 2025}}

Phnom Penh remained the royal capital for 73 years, from 1432 to 1505. It was abandoned for 360 years (from 1505 to 1865) by subsequent kings due to internal fighting between the royal pretenders. Later kings moved the capital several times and established their royal capitals at various locations in Tuol Basan (Srey Santhor), Pursat, Longvek, Lavear Em and Oudong.{{cite web |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369849784_Early_Modern_Cambodia_and_Archaeology_at_Longvek |title=EARLY MODERN CAMBODIA AND ARCHAEOLOGY AT LONGVEK |author=Martin Polkinghorne and Yuni Sato |date=April 2023 |access-date=14 May 2025}}

From 1673 to 1674, Phnom Penh was the stronghold of rebel king Kaev Hua II.{{cite web |url=https://mickmc.tripod.com/rkapb1945.pdf |title=RYUKYU KINGDOM AND PROVINCE BEFORE 1945 |author=George H. Kerr |date=15 June 1953 |access-date=14 May 2025}}

After the Cambodian revolt of 1812, king Ang Chan II began to reign in the area. The Vietnamese general Lê Văn Duyệt built An Man Thành, a fortress garrisoned by Vietnamese army. After the Siamese–Vietnamese War (1833–1834), Đại Nam annexed Cambodia, the An Man garrison was renamed Nam Vang and the became the administrative center of the Vietnamese Tây Thành province. When Cambodian suzerainty was restored in 1847, the royal seat remained in Oudong.

It was not until 1866, under the reign of King Norodom I (1860–1904), the eldest son of King Ang Duong, who ruled on behalf of Siam, that Phnom Penh became the permanent seat of government and capital of Cambodia, and the current Royal Palace was built. Beginning in 1870, the French colonial authorities turned a riverside village into a city where they built hotels, schools, prisons, barracks, banks, public works offices, telegraph offices, law courts, and health services buildings. In 1872, the first glimpse of a modern city took shape when King Norodom employed the services of French contractor Le Faucheur to construct 300 brick houses for sale and rental to Chinese traders.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

By the 1920s, Phnom Penh was known as the "Pearl of Asia", and over the next four decades, Phnom Penh continued to experience rapid growth with the building of railways to Sihanoukville and Pochentong International Airport (now Phnom Penh International Airport). Phnom Penh's infrastructure saw major modernisation under the rule of Norodom Sihanouk.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

During the Vietnam War, Cambodia was used as a base by the People's Army of Vietnam and the Viet Cong, and thousands of refugees from across the country flooded the city to escape the fighting between their own government troops, the People's Army of Vietnam, the Viet Cong, the South Vietnamese and their allies, the Khmer Rouge, and American air strikes. By 1975, the population was 2–3 million, the bulk of whom were refugees from the fighting.Stuart-Fox, William, The Murderous Revolution: Life & Death in Pol Pot's Kampuchea, Alternative Publishing Co-Operative Limited, 1985, pp. 17. The Khmer Rouge cut off supplies to the city for more than a year before it fell on 17 April 1975. Reports from journalists stated that the Khmer Rouge shelling "tortured the capital almost continuously", inflicting "random death and mutilation" on millions of trapped civilians.Barron, John and Anthony Paul (1977), Murder of a Gentle Land, Reader's Digest Press, pp. 1–2. The Khmer Rouge forcibly evacuated the entire city after taking it, in what has been described as a death march: François Ponchaud wrote that "I shall never forget one cripple who had neither hands nor feet, writhing along the ground like a severed worm, or a weeping father carrying his ten-year old daughter wrapped in a sheet tied around his neck like a sling, or the man with his foot dangling at the end of a leg to which it was attached by nothing but skin";Ponchaud, Francois (1978), Cambodia Year Zero, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, pp. 6–7. Jon Swain recalled that the Khmer Rouge were "tipping out patients from the hospitals like garbage into the streets....In five years of war, this is the greatest caravan of human misery I have seen".Swain, John (1999), River of Time: A Memoir of Vietnam and Cambodia, Berkley Trade. All of its residents, including the wealthy and educated, were evacuated from the city and forced to do difficult labour on rural farms as "new people".Stuart-Fox, pp. 7. Tuol Sleng High School was taken over by Pol Pot's forces and was turned into the S-21 prison camp, where people were detained and tortured. Pol Pot sought a return to an agrarian economy and therefore killed many people perceived as educated, "lazy", spies, or political enemies. Many others starved to death as a result of failure of the agrarian society and the sale of Cambodia's rice to China in exchange for bullets and weaponry. The former high school is now the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, where Khmer Rouge torture devices and photos of their victims are displayed. Choeung Ek (the Killing Fields), {{convert|15|km|mi|0|sp=us}} away, where the Khmer Rouge marched prisoners from Tuol Sleng to be murdered and buried in shallow pits, is also now a memorial to those who were killed by the regime.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

File:Phnom Penh Montage 2021.png, Silver Pagoda, a street in Koh Pich, Sisowath Quay, Riverside Park, National Museum, Wat Phnom, Royal Stupas, Hotel Le Royal, Supreme Court Building]]

The Khmer Rouge were driven out of Phnom Penh by the People's Army of Vietnam in 1979,[http://www.historytoday.com/MainArticle.aspx?m=33120&amid=30262260 Vietnamese take Phnom Penh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529074436/http://www.historytoday.com/MainArticle.aspx?m=33120&amid=30262260 |date=May 29, 2009 }}, History Today and people began to return to the city. Vietnam is historically a state with which Cambodia has had many conflicts, therefore this liberation was and is viewed with mixed emotions by the Cambodians. A period of reconstruction began, spurred by the continuing stability of government, attracting new foreign investment and aid by countries including France, Australia, and Japan. Loans were made from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank to reinstate a clean water supply, roads and other infrastructure. The 1998 Census put Phnom Penh's population at 862,000;General Population Census of Cambodia 1998, National Institute of Statistics, Ministry of Planning, Phnom Penh, Cambodia and the 2008 census was 1.3 million.[http://www.stat.go.jp/info/meetings/cambodia/pdf/pre_rep1.pdf Cambodian 2008 census preliminary results, Statistics Japan] 2–6, Tables 2.2–2.6 By 2019, its population reached over 2.2 million, based on general population census.

File:Mekong River, Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel - panoramio.jpg and Mekong, and the filled in lake of Boeung Kak.]]

Phnom Penh is in the south-central region of Cambodia, and is fully surrounded by the Kandal province. The municipality is on the banks of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac Rivers. These rivers provide freshwater and other natural resources to the city. Phnom Penh and the surrounding areas consist of a typical flood plain area for Cambodia. Although Phnom Penh is at {{convert|11.89|m|ft|0}} above the river, monsoon season flooding is a problem, and the river sometimes overflows its banks.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} Boeung Kak, Phnom Penh's largest freshwater lake, was controversially filled in 2010 to make way for property development.{{Cite news |date=2011-08-14 |title=Cambodia lake battle: How Boeung Kak became a puddle |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-14488100 |access-date=2025-02-23 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

The city, at {{Coord|11.55|N|104.91667|E|}} (11°33' North, 104°55' East),{{cite web |url=http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html |title=Names Files of Selected Countries |publisher=GEOnet Names Server |access-date=June 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050812023000/http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html |archive-date=August 12, 2005}} covers an area of {{convert|678.46|km2|sqmi|0}}, with some {{convert|11401|ha|acre|0}} in the municipality and {{cvt|26106|ha|acre|0}} of roads. The agricultural land in the municipality amounts to {{cvt|34.685|km2|sqmi|0}} with some {{cvt|1.476|km2|acre|0}} under irrigation.

Phnom Penh has a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). The climate is hot year-round with only minor variations. Temperatures typically range from {{convert|22|to|35|C|F|0}} and weather is subject to the tropical monsoons. The southwest monsoon blows inland bringing moisture-laden winds from the Gulf of Thailand and Indian Ocean from May to November, sees high temperatures accompanied by high humidity. The dry season lasts from December to April; when overnight temperatures can drop to {{convert|22|C|F|0}}.

{{Weather box

|location = Phnom Penh (temperature: 1988–2013, extremes: 1906–2013)

|metric first = Y

|single line = Y

|Jan record high C = 36.1

|Feb record high C = 38.1

|Mar record high C = 40.0

|Apr record high C = 40.5

|May record high C = 40.0

|Jun record high C = 39.2

|Jul record high C = 37.2

|Aug record high C = 37.8

|Sep record high C = 35.5

|Oct record high C = 36.1

|Nov record high C = 34.4

|Dec record high C = 37.2

|Jan high C = 31.6

|Feb high C = 33.2

|Mar high C = 34.6

|Apr high C = 35.3

|May high C = 34.8

|Jun high C = 33.8

|Jul high C = 32.9

|Aug high C = 32.7

|Sep high C = 32.2

|Oct high C = 31.4

|Nov high C = 31.1

|Dec high C = 30.8

|year high C = 32.9

|Jan mean C = 26.6

|Feb mean C = 28.0

|Mar mean C = 29.4

|Apr mean C = 30.2

|May mean C = 30.0

|Jun mean C = 29.2

|Jul mean C = 28.7

|Aug mean C = 28.5

|Sep mean C = 28.2

|Oct mean C = 27.2

|Nov mean C = 27.1

|Dec mean C = 26.3

|year mean C = 28.3

|Jan low C = 21.8

|Feb low C = 22.8

|Mar low C = 24.3

|Apr low C = 25.5

|May low C = 25.6

|Jun low C = 24.9

|Jul low C = 24.8

|Aug low C = 24.6

|Sep low C = 24.4

|Oct low C = 24.2

|Nov low C = 23.2

|Dec low C = 21.9

|year low C = 24.0

|Jan record low C = 12.8

|Feb record low C = 15.2

|Mar record low C = 19.0

|Apr record low C = 17.8

|May record low C = 20.6

|Jun record low C = 21.2

|Jul record low C = 20.1

|Aug record low C = 20.0

|Sep record low C = 21.1

|Oct record low C = 17.2

|Nov record low C = 16.7

|Dec record low C = 14.4

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 12.1

|Feb precipitation mm = 6.6

|Mar precipitation mm = 34.8

|Apr precipitation mm = 78.8

|May precipitation mm = 118.2

|Jun precipitation mm = 145.0

|Jul precipitation mm = 162.1

|Aug precipitation mm = 182.7

|Sep precipitation mm = 270.9

|Oct precipitation mm = 248.1

|Nov precipitation mm = 120.5

|Dec precipitation mm = 32.1

|Jan humidity = 73

|Feb humidity = 71

|Mar humidity = 71

|Apr humidity = 73

|May humidity = 77

|Jun humidity = 78

|Jul humidity = 80

|Aug humidity = 81

|Sep humidity = 84

|Oct humidity = 84

|Nov humidity = 78

|Dec humidity = 73

|year humidity = 77

|unit rain days = 0.1 mm

|Jan rain days = 1.2

|Feb rain days = 1.1

|Mar rain days = 3.4

|Apr rain days = 6.8

|May rain days = 15.9

|Jun rain days = 17.0

|Jul rain days = 18.1

|Aug rain days = 18.3

|Sep rain days = 21.5

|Oct rain days = 19.3

|Nov rain days = 10.2

|Dec rain days = 4.5

|Jan sun = 260

|Feb sun = 226

|Mar sun = 267

|Apr sun = 240

|May sun = 202

|Jun sun = 192

|Jul sun = 143

|Aug sun = 174

|Sep sun = 129

|Oct sun = 202

|Nov sun = 213

|Dec sun = 242

|year sun=2490

|source 1 = Deutscher Wetterdienst

{{cite web

| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_489910_kt.pdf

| title = Klimatafel von Phnom Penh / Kambodscha

| work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world

| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst

| language = de

| access-date = January 23, 2016}}

|source 2 = Danish Meteorological Institute (sun, 1931–1960){{cite web | last1 = Cappelen | first1 = John | last2 = Jensen | first2 = Jens | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130427173827/http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/tr01-17.pdf | archive-date = April 27, 2013 | url = http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/tr01-17.pdf | work = Climate Data for Selected Stations (1931–1960) | title = Cambodia – Phnom Penh | page = 44 | publisher = Danish Meteorological Institute | language = da | access-date = March 9, 2013}}

|date=October 2011}}

File:Phnom Penh City hall.JPG

File:Phnom Penh administration.svg

Phnom Penh is an autonomous municipality of area {{convert|678.46|km2}} with a government status equal to that of the provinces. The autonomous municipality is subdivided into 14 administrative divisions called khans (sections). The district s are subdivided into 105 sangkats (quarters), and further subdivided into 953 phums (villages).{{Cite web|url=http://db.ncdd.gov.kh/gazetteer|title=Gazetteer Database Online|date=2019|website=Cambodia NCDD Databases|publisher=National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development |access-date=January 5, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211113130228/http://db.ncdd.gov.kh/gazetteer/view/index.castle |archive-date= Nov 13, 2021 }} All khans are under the governance of Phnom Penh. Dangkao, Meanchey, Porsenchey, Sen Sok and Russey Keo are considered the outskirts of the city.

Phnom Penh is governed by the governor who acts as the top executive of the city as well as overseeing the Municipal Military Police, Municipal Police, and Bureau of Urban Affairs. Below the governor is the first vice governor and five vice governors. The chief of cabinet, who holds the same status as the vice governors, heads the cabinet consisting of eight deputy chiefs of cabinet who in turn are in charge of the 27 administrative departments. Every khans also has a chief.{{cite web |url=http://www.citynet-ap.org/En/user/resource/docs/241.pdf |title=Municipality of Phnom Penh |date=November 6, 2004 |website=CityNet Secretariat |access-date=March 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614161827/http://www.citynet-ap.org/En/user/resource/docs/241.pdf |archive-date=June 14, 2007 }}

{{Historical populations|type=Cambodia

| 1950|334000

| 1960|398000

| 1970|457000

| 1975|370000

| 1978|32000

| 1980|189000

| 1985|351000

| 1990|634000

| 1995|925000

| 2000|1284000

| 2005|1677000

| 2010|2101725

| 2019|2,129,371

|percentages = pagr

|footnote=

}}

{{As of|2019}}, Phnom Penh had a population of 2,129,371 people, with a total population density of 3,136 inhabitants per square kilometre in a {{convert|679|km2|sqmi|0}} city area. The population growth rate of the city is 3.92%. The city area has grown fourfold since 1979, and the metro area will continue to expand in order to support the city's growing population and economy.

A survey by the National Institute of Statistics in 2017 showed that 95.3% of the population in Phnom Penh are Khmer, 4% Chams, and 0.7% others, predominantly Chinese, Vietnamese, and other small ethnic groups who are Thai, Budong, Mnong Preh, Kuy and Chong.{{Cite web|url=http://nis.gov.kh/nis/CSES/Final%20Report%20CSES%202017.pdf|title=Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey 2017|work=Ministry of Planning|publisher=National Institute of Statistics|date=November 2018|access-date=June 29, 2020}}

The official language is Khmer, but English and French are widely used in the city.

The number of slum-inhabitants at the end of 2012 was 105,771, compared with 85,807 at the start of 2012.[http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/phnom-penh%E2%80%99s-slums-swell-2012 Phnom Penh's slums swell in 2012]. Retrieved July 25, 2013.{{Outdated statistic}}

Note: As stated in the "History" paragraph (The 1998 Census put Phnom Penh's population at 862,000; and the 2008 census was 1.3 million.) the information collides with the information provided in the "Historical population" table. Needs editing.

{{Main|Religion in Cambodia}}

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Religion in Phnom Penh (2019 census){{cite web|title=Final General Population Census 2019-English.pdf|url=http://nis.gov.kh/nis/Census2019/Final%20General%20Population%20Census%202019-English.pdf|publisher=National Institute of Statistics Ministry of planning|date=October 2020}}

|label1 = Buddhism

|value1 = 97.8

|color1 = Gold

|label2 = Islam

|value2 = 1.6

|color2 = Green

|label3 = Christianity

|value3 = 0.5

|color3 = DodgerBlue

|label4 = Animism and Other religions

|value4 = 0.1

|color4 = Black

}}

The state religion is Theravada Buddhism. More than 97.8% of the people in Phnom Penh are Buddhists. Chams, South Asians, and small minority of Khmers have been practicing Islam for hundreds of years. A small percentage follow Christianity.

File:Cambodian National Assembly 2016-7.jpg building of Cambodia]]

File:2016 Phnom Penh, Budynek sądu (04).jpg

{{see also|Phnom Penh (National Assembly constituency)}}

Phnom Penh is allocated 12 seats in the National Assembly, making it the largest constituency.

File:Central.Post.Office.Poste.Phnom.Penh.1.Cambodge.jpg

File:Hong.Kong.Center.Total.Cambodge.1.jpg in Cambodia]]

Phnom Penh is Cambodia's economic centre as it accounts for a large portion of the Cambodian economy. Double-digit economic growth rates in recent years have triggered an economic boom in Phnom Penh, with new hotels, restaurants, schools, bars, high rises and residential buildings springing up in the city.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

The economy is based on commercial interests such as garments, trading, and small and medium enterprises. In the past few years{{When|date=February 2025}} the property business has been booming, with rapidly increasing real estate prices. Tourism is also a major contributor in the capital as more shopping and commercial centres open, making Phnom Penh one of the major tourist destinations in South East Asia along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, tourism made up 19.2 percent (US$2,053 million) of Cambodia's GDP in 2009 and accounts for 13.7 percent of total employment.[http://www.clairebrownrealty.com/reports/Tourism%20for%20Economic%20Development%20in%20Cambodia%20-%20Media%20Global.pdf Tourism for Economic Development in Cambodia – Media Global] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101225641/http://www.clairebrownrealty.com/reports/Tourism%20for%20Economic%20Development%20in%20Cambodia%20-%20Media%20Global.pdf |date=November 1, 2013 }}, Claire Brown Report, April 17, 2011 One of the most popular areas in Phnom Penh for tourists is Sisowath Quay, alongside the Tonle Sap River. Sisowath Quay is a five kilometre strip of road that includes restaurants, bars, and hotels.[http://www.canbypublications.com/maps/phnompenhriverfront.htm Riverfront area, Phnom Penh, Cambodia], Candy Publications, April 17, 2011

The {{USD|2.6}} billion new urban development, Camko City, is meant to bolster the city landscape. The Bureau of Urban Affairs of Phnom Penh Municipality has plans to expand and construct new infrastructure to accommodate the growing population and economy. High rise buildings will be constructed at the entrance of the city and near the lakes and riverbanks. Furthermore, new roads, canals, and a railway system will be used to connect Camko City and Phnom Penh.People's Daily Online [http://english.people.com.cn/200507/18/eng20050718_196801.html Cambodia unveils Phnom Penh development plan]. Retrieved June 14, 2008.

Other projects include:

• Grand Phnom Penh International City (under construction)
• Gold Tower 42 (On hold 32 floors construction begins again in the mid of 2018)
• Kokling super second floor house
• Vattanac Capital Tower
• The Peak

With booming economic growth seen since the 1990s, new shopping venues have opened, such as Sorya Center Point, Aeon Mall Phnom Penh, Aeon Mall Sen Sok City, Aeon Mall Mean Chey and Olympia Mall. Many international brands have opened such as Mango, Salvatore Ferragamo, Hugo Boss, Padini Concept Store, Lily, Timberland, Jimmy Choo, CC Double O, MO, Brands Outlet, Nike, Converse, Pony, Armani Exchange, and Super Dry.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

The tallest skyscraper in Phnom Penh is Vattanac Capital Tower at a height of {{convert|188|m|ft|0|}}, dominating Phnom Penh's skyline with its neighbour skyscraper Canadia Tower (OCIC Tower).{{cite web |url=http://www.vattanaccapital.com/overview.php |title=Vattanac Capital |publisher=Riverpalace.net |access-date=June 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115200108/http://vattanaccapital.com/overview.php |archive-date=November 15, 2011 }} The tower was completed in December 2014. Modern high rises have been constructed all around the city, not concentrated in any one particular area.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

The Central Market Phsar Thmei is a tourist attraction. The four wings of the yellow colored market are teeming with numerous stalls selling gold and silver jewelry, antique coins, clothing, clocks, flowers, food, fabrics and shoes. Phsar Thmei is undergoing under a major renovation, along with the creation of newer stalls.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

File:Buddhist Institute - Phnom Penh - Cambodia.jpg]]

File:Royal University of Phnom Penh Campus 2.JPG Campus II]]

File:Institute of Foreign Languages.jpg]]

File:Institut de technologie du Cambodge.jpg]]

The Japanese Supplementary School of Phnom Penh, formerly known in English as the Phnom Penh Japanese School,"[https://web.archive.org/web/20141210191828/http://www.jacam.cc/act/x04_school.php]." Japanese Association of Cambodia (JACAM;カンボジア日本人会 Kambojia Nihonjin-kai). Retrieved on May 14, 2020. "プノンペン補習授業校 (Japanese Supplementary School of Phnom Penh) 住所 No. 205B, St. Lum, Phumi Toek Thla, Sangkat Toek Thla, Khan Sen Sok, Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA""[https://web.archive.org/web/20140330214851/http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shotou/clarinet/002/006/001/002/001.htm アジアの補習授業校一覧（平成25年4月15日現在）]" (). Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Retrieved on February 13, 2015. "プノンペン Phnom Penh Japanese School No,3EO St.390 PhnomPenh Cambodia" is a part-time Japanese School, operated by the Japanese Association of Cambodia (JACAM;カンボジア日本人会 Kambojia Nihonjin-kai)."[http://www.jacam.cc/act/home.php Home] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220142026/http://jacam.cc/act/home.php |date=December 20, 2014 }}." Japanese Association of Cambodia (JACAM;カンボジア日本人会). Retrieved on March 31, 2015. It is in Sangkat Toek Thla in Sen Sok.{{cite web|url=http://www.jacam.cc/ppjs/intro|script-title=ja:概略・所在地 |website=Phnom Penh Japanese School |access-date=May 14, 2020|quote={{lang|ja|プノンペン補習授業校}} (Japanese Supplementary School of Phnom Penh) {{lang|ja|住所}} No. 205B, St. Lum, Phumi Toek Thla, Sangkat Toek Thla, Khan Sen Sok, Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA}} It was established in 2002. It had 60 students in June 2011.{{cite web|url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp:443/pdf/12113619_02.pdf|title=Project Completion Report Appendix 4 Manual|publisher=Japan International Cooperation Agency|access-date=May 14, 2020|page=60}}

File:Driedphnompenhnoodles.jpg

Phnom Penh also has its own dialect of Khmer. Speakers of the Phnom Penh dialect often elide syllables, which has earned it a reputation for being lazy speech. Phnom Penh is also known for its influence on New Khmer Architecture. Phnom Penh is notable for Ka tieu Phnom Penh, its variation on rice noodle soup, a dish available in sit-down cafes as well as street cafes.

The city hosts a number of music events throughout the city. Indie bands have grown in number due also in part to the emergence of private music schools such as SoundsKool Music (also operating in the city of Siem Reap), and Music Arts School (registered as a non-governmental organization). The Cambodian fishing dance originated in Phnom Penh at the Royal University of Fine Arts in the 1960s.Khmer Traditional Dance and Shadow Theater. (n.d.). Canby Publications. Retrieved August 19, 2020, from https://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/srothersr.htm

File:Khmer_folk_dance.JPG

The two most visited museums in the city are the National Museum, which is the country's leading historical and archaeological museum, and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former Khmer Rouge prison. The National Museum hosts celebrations of Cambodian dance and music, including a popular classic Apsara dance show of traditional folk dances as well as original creations.

{{main|Choul Chnam Thmey}}

At this time, Phnom Penh celebrates Cambodian New Year, an occasion increasingly popular with tourists. During this typically hottest part of the year, water gets thrown around adding to the party atmosphere along with dancing and music. The precise date changes year-by-year but this holiday lasts, at least, three days. This festival marks the turn of the year based on the ancient Khmer calendar and also marks the end of the prior year harvest.

{{main|Bon Om Touk}}

The largest annual festival in Phnom Penh, this lively gathering celebrates the reversing of the flow of the Tonlé Sap River. The holiday lasts three days as people flood into the city to enjoy the fireworks, boat races, live concerts, eating and partying. The boat racing dates back to ancient times marking the strengths of the Khmer marine forces during the Khmer Empire.

On 22 November 2010, at least 348 people were crushed to death in a bridge stampede at the festival.{{cite news| url=http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/cambodia-festival-stampede-leaves-almost-350-dead-20101123-184ew.html |location=Melbourne |work=The Age |first=Suy |last=Se |title=Cambodia festival stampede leaves almost 350 dead |date=November 23, 2010}}

{{main|Pchum Ben}}

Ancestors' Day, also called Pchum Ben, is a very important aspect of Cambodian culture. It may be translated as "gathering together" to make offerings and is a time of reunion, commemoration, express love and appreciation for one's ancestors. By offering food and good karma to those possibly trapped in the spirit world, living relatives help assuage their misery and guide them back into the cycle of reincarnation.

{{main|Vesākha}}

Vesākha is an annual holiday observed traditionally by Buddhists in Cambodia. Sometimes informally called "Buddha's Birthday", it actually encompasses the birth, enlightenment (nirvāṇa), and passing away (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha.

File:View of Phnom Penh from SVAY CHROM.jpg

The oldest structure is Wat Phnom from the founding days of the city, constructed in 1373. The main tourist attractions are the Royal Palace with the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum, constructed during the French colonial era in the late-19th century in the classical Khmer style and hosting a vast collection of Khmer antiquities. The Independence Monument (Khmer: Vimean Akareach), although from the 1950s, is also constructed in the ancient Khmer style.

The French, who were the colonial masters from the 19th century to the 1940s, also left their mark, with various colonial villas, French churches, boulevards, and the Art Deco market Phsar Thom Thmei. A notable landmark of the colonial era is the Hotel Le Royal.

Starting with independence from the French in the 1950s and lasting until the era of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s, Phnom Penh underwent tremendous growth as the capital city of a newly independent country. King Sihanouk was eager to present a new style of architecture and thus invigorate the process of nation building. A new golden era of architecture took off, with various projects and young Khmer architects, often educated in France, given opportunities to design and construct. This new movement was called "New Khmer Architecture" and was often characterised by a fusion of Bauhaus, European post-modern architecture, and traditional elements from Angkor. The most prominent architect was Vann Molyvann, who was nominated chief national architect by the king himself in 1956. Molyvann created landmark buildings such as the Preah Suramarit National Theatre or the Vann Molyvann House. Other architects helped construct the newly founded Royal Khmer University, the Institute of Foreign Languages, and the National Sports Centre. With the growth of the upper and entrepreneurial middle File:Statue of Lady Penh.jpg, the city's founder.|alt=]]classes, new suburbs were built in the 1950s and 1960s. Although these buildings survived the Khmer Rouge era and the civil war, today they are under threat due to economic development and financial speculation.{{Cite journal |last=NAM |first=SYLVIA |date=2011 |title=Phnom Penh: From the Politics of Ruin to the Possibilities of Return |journal=Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=55–68 |jstor=41758883 |issn=1050-2092}} Villas and gardens from that era are being destroyed and redeveloped to make place for bigger structures. The landmark National Theatre by Molyvann was razed in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.ka-tours.org/|title=Khmer Architecture Tours|date=May 30, 2010|publisher=Ka-tours.org|access-date=June 27, 2010}} A movement is rising in Cambodia to preserve this modernist heritage. Old villas are sometimes being converted into boutique hotels, such as the Knai Bang Chatt.

Monuments and memorials to the genocide of the Khmer Rouge era in the 1970s are the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (a former high school used as a concentration camp) and, on the outskirts of the city, the Choeung Ek Genocide Center. The Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument was commissioned by the Vietnamese communists as symbol of Khmer-Vietnamese friendship during the late-1970s following the liberation of Cambodia from the Khmer Rouge.

The population, foreign investment, and urban development in Phnom Penh grew dramatically during the 1990s and early-2000s. The rapid growth resulted in the city's infrastructure distinctly lacking (the drainage system is particularly notorious, and Phnom Penh frequently floods during the wet season), and a need for both residential and commercial spaces. The simultaneous demand for residential and commercial housing and the increase of international investment has led to the planning, if not construction, of several satellite cities. The largest of these cities are: Grand Phnom Penh International City, CamKo City, Diamond Island City, Boeung Kak Town, and Chruy Cangva City.

On the outskirts of the city, farmland has been developed into garment factories and housing for lower economic classes and those displaced by the new development in the city center.

{{wide image|Panoramic_view_of_Phnom_Penh.jpg|1500px|Panoramic view of Phnom Penh from City Center}}

{{panorama|image=File:Phnom Penh city at night.jpg|height=300px|caption=Phnom Penh city at night revealing skylines and the royal palace, viewed from the east bank of Tonle Sap river in September 2019.}}

Originally intended to be completed by 2020, the 2035 master plan{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbda.org.kh/?p=1139|title=Phnom Penh master plan extended to 2035 {{!}} CBDA|website=www.cbda.org.kh|access-date=December 12, 2016}} is a French-funded project for the development of Phnom Penh. Although the plan was approved by the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction in 2005, it has yet to be ratified by the Cabinet of Cambodia. The original plan details five edge-city projects connected to the historical city centre by waterways and tree-lined corridors.{{Cite journal|last=Paling|first=Willem|year=2012|title=Planning a Future for Phnom Penh: Mega Projects, Aid Dependence and Disjointed Governance|journal=Urban Studies|volume=49|issue=13|pages=2889–2912|doi=10.1177/0042098012452457|bibcode=2012UrbSt..49.2889P |s2cid=154354673}}

• Sralagn' Khmer (Love Khmer)
• Chakraval Daily (Universe)
• Kampuchea Thmei Daily (New Cambodia)
• Kampuchea Tgnai Nis (Cambodia Today)
• Kanychok Sangkhum (Social Reflection)
• Koh Santepheap (Island of Peace)
• Moneaksekar Khmer (Khmer Conscience) – Published by the Sam Rainsy Party.
• Rasmei Kampuchea (Light of Kampuchea) – Cambodia's largest daily, it circulates about 18,000 copies.
• Samleng Yuvachun (Voice of Khmer Youth)
• Udomkate Khmer (Khmer Ideal)
• Wat Phnom Daily (Mount Temple)

• Phnom Penh Post, a daily English-language newspaper published in Phnom Penh.
• The Cambodia Daily, an English-language daily newspaper (fled from Cambodia in 2017, still operating online).
• Khmer Times, an English-language daily newspaper.

• 《柬華日報》(Jianhua Daily), a daily Chinese-language newspaper published in Phnom Penh.
• 《星洲日報》(Sin Chew Daily), a Chinese-language daily newspaper, the Cambodian edition of the Malaysian Chinese daily of the same name.
• 《華商日報》(Huashang Daily), a Chinese-language daily newspaper.
• 《高棉日报》(Khmer Daily), a Chinese-language daily newspaper.
• 《新柬埔寨》(New Cambodia), a Chinese-language daily newspaper.

• AsiaLIFE Guide Phnom Penh, a monthly English-language lifestyle magazine published in Phnom Penh. (Ceased in 2018)
• F Magazine, the first fashion-forward magazine in Cambodia. Bi-lingual, written in English and Khmer.
• SOVRIN Magazine, is the fashion glossy magazine in Cambodia which written in khmer language.

• Thmey Thmey Phnom Penh{{Cite web|url=http://thmeythmey.com/index.php/|title=Thmey Thmey|website=thmeythmey.com}}
• Sabay News Phnom Penh{{Cite web|url=http://news.sabay.com.kh/|title=Sabay News|website=news.sabay.com.kh}}
• Fresh News Phnom Penh{{Cite web|url=http://en.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/en/|title=FRESH NEWS|website=en.freshnewsasia.com}}

{{See also|Sport in Cambodia|Morodok Techo National Sports Complex}}

The martial arts of Bokator, Pradal Serey (Khmer kick boxing) and Khmer traditional wrestling have venues in Phnom Penh watched by dedicated spectators. Cambodia has increasingly become involved in modern sports over the last 30 years. As with the rest of the country, football and the martial arts are particularly popular. Ultimate fighting and freestyle boxing have also become more common in recent years.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

The most prominent sporting venues in the city are the Morodok Techo National Stadium with a capacity of 60,000, which opened in 2021 as the home to the Cambodia national football team and the Phnom Penh National Olympic Stadium with a capacity of 30,000{{cite web|url=http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/stadium-dream-becomes-public-nightmare|title=Stadium dream becomes public nightmare|last=ppp_webadmin|date=April 27, 2001|website=phnompenhpost.com}} — although the country never hosted the Olympic Games due to disruption by the civil war and the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s, which built in 1964 as the co-home to the Cambodia national football team.{{cite web|url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/cambodian-fans-deflated-after-world-cup-loss-85436/|title=Cambodian Fans Deflated After World Cup Loss – The Cambodia Daily|date=June 12, 2015|website=cambodiadaily.com|access-date=March 30, 2016|archive-date=September 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907160929/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/cambodian-fans-deflated-after-world-cup-loss-85436/|url-status=dead}} On completion, the stadium was one of the largest in Asia. Volleyball, basketball, and Tai-Kwon-Do games are often hosted at the stadium. The stadium closed in 2000, but was redeveloped and reopened.

In soccer ventures, Phnom Penh is formally represented by Phnom Penh Crown FC despite being home to numerous soccer teams who plays in the Cambodian League. Including Visakha, Nagaworld, Boeungket and the aforementioned Phnom Penh Crown, amongst many others.

The National Sports Centre of Cambodia hosts swimming, boxing, and volleyball competitions. Noted local football clubs include Phnom Penh Empire, Khemara Keila FC and Military Police. The city hosted the 2023 Southeast Asian Games and the 2023 ASEAN Para Games, this marked the first time that Cambodia has hosted a multi-sport event. The city will host the 2029 Asian Youth Games.

{{See also|Transport in Cambodia|Transport in Phnom Penh}}

File:Phnom penh airport.JPG]]

Phnom Penh International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Cambodia. It is seven kilometres west of central Phnom Penh. The airport is connected to the city center by taxi, train, and shuttle bus. The airport is set to be replaced with the new Techo International Airport (Cambodia) in 2025.

Cambodia's national flag carrier, Cambodia Angkor Air (later rebranched as Air Cambodia in 2025), launched in 2009, is headquartered in Phnom Penh and has its main hub there, with an additional hub at the Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport.{{cite web|url=http://www.cambodiaangkorair.com/default.aspx?tabid=98|title=Welcome|year=2009|publisher=Cambodia Angkor Air|access-date=December 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217141508/http://www.cambodiaangkorair.com/default.aspx?tabid=98|archive-date=December 17, 2009}}

Air France used to serve Phnom Penh from Paris-Charles de Gaulle but this service has since stopped. Qatar Airways now flies to and from Phnom Penh, via Saigon.

Taxis, pick-ups, and minibuses leave the city for destinations all over the country, but are fast losing ground to cheaper and more comfortable buses. Phnom Penh also has a rail service.

There are numerous bus companies, including Phnom Penh Public Transport and GST Express, running services to most provincial capitals, including Sihanoukville, Kampong Chhnang, Oudong and Takéo. Phnom Penh Sorya Transport Co. offers bus service to several provincial destinations along the National Routes and to Saigon. Giant Ibis is another bus company based in Phnom Penh, which travels to Sihanoukville, Kampot, Siem Reap and Saigon, and has free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and modest pricing.

The city is Cambodia's main freshwater port, a major port on the Mekong River. It is linked to the South China Sea, 290 kilometres distant, via a channel of the Mekong in Vietnam.

File:Phnom Penh BRT bus approaching Monivong-Sihanouk station.jpg

{{See also|Phnom Penh City Bus}}

Phnom Penh is served by air conditioned public buses. Initial attempts by the Japanese government to develop a Phnom Penh bus service began in 2001. An update of the JICA urban transport master plan for Phnom Penh was completed and implemented in 2014.Phnom Penh Post: [http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012022854751/National-news/gridlock-going-nowhere-fast.html "Gridlock going nowhere fast"], February 28, 2012, retrieved on March 27, 2012 The city is now served by 21 bus lines, operated by the Phnom Penh municipal government. Private transportation within the city include the cycle rickshaw, known in Khmer as "cyclo", the motorcycle taxi known in Khmer as "moto", the auto rickshaw known locally as "tuk-tuk", the trailer attached to a motorcycle taxi known in Khmer as "remorque", and the standard automobile taxicab known in Khmer as "taxi".Gnarfgnarf:[http://www.gnarfgnarf.com/Blog/Gnarfgnarf-Travel-Blog-March-2012-Public-Transport-Phnom-Penh.html Cyclos, motos, remorques, tuk tuks and other taxis in Phnom Penh], March 12, 2012, retrieved on March 27, 2012 Private forms of transportation used by locals include bicycles, motorbikes, and cars.

File:Railway Station - Phnom Penh.JPG

Phnom Penh Royal railway station is a railway station in Phnom Penh. It is located next to the University of Health Sciences and the National University of Management as well as the Canadian embassy. This station was renovated and formally reopened October 22, 2010.

Scheduled passenger train services between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville resumed in May 2016 after having been suspended for 14 years.{{Cite web|url=http://investvine.com/passenger-trains-revived-cambodia-14-year-hiatus/|title=Passenger trains revived in Cambodia after 14-year-hiatus {{!}} Investvine|last=Maierbrugger|first=Arno|website=Investvine|language=en-US|access-date=2021-01-29|archive-date=2021-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202093208/http://investvine.com/passenger-trains-revived-cambodia-14-year-hiatus/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/jun/05/trains-phnom-penh-sihanoukville-kampot|title=Cambodia revives train service between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville|author=Peter Ford|date=5 June 2016|publisher=The Guardian|access-date=2021-01-29|archive-date=2017-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204172116/https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/jun/05/trains-phnom-penh-sihanoukville-kampot|url-status=live}} After that, many passenger train service continue to resume. As of May 2021, there is scheduled train service between Phnom Penh to Krong Pursat, Krong Battambang, Krong Sisophon, and Poipet at the Border to Thailand.

As the capital of Cambodia, a number of national highways connect the city with various parts of the country:

In 2023, a new expressway linking Phnom Penh with Sihanoukville came into operation.{{Cite book |last=Han |first=Enze |title=The Ripple Effect: China's Complex Presence in Southeast Asia |date=2024 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-769659-0 |location=New York, NY}}{{Rp|page=29}} The expressway was built by China, which has a major role in infrastructure development in Cambodia through the Belt and Road Initiative.{{Rp|page=29}}

{{Main|Water supply in Phnom Penh}}

Water supply in Phnom Penh has improved dramatically in terms of access, service quality, efficiency, cost recovery and governance between 1993 and 2006. The number of customers has increased ninefold, service quality has improved from intermittent to continuous supply, water losses have been cut dramatically and the city's water utility went from being bankrupt to making a modest profit.Asian Development Bank:[http://www.adb.org/water/actions/CAM/PPWSA.asp Country Water Action:Cambodia Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority: An Exemplary Water Utility in Asia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401142418/http://www.adb.org/water/actions/cam/PPWSA.asp |date=April 1, 2011 }}, August 2007, retrieved on April 10, 2011 These achievements were recognized through international awards such as the 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Award and the 2010 Stockholm Industry Water Award.Stockholm International Water Institute:[http://www.siwi.org/sa/node.asp?node=950 Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority Wins Stockholm Industry Water Award 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309225926/http://www.siwi.org/sa/node.asp?node=950 |date=March 9, 2012 }}, retrieved on April 9, 2011 The city's water utility is the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA). Its main water sources are the Mekong River, the Tonle Sap river and the Tonle Bassac river.

Phnom Penh is twinned with:

{{div col|colwidth=17em}}

• {{flagicon|THA}} Bangkok, Thailand{{cite web|title=Relationship with Sister Cities|url=http://iad.bangkok.go.th/en/list|publisher=Bangkok Metropolitan Administration|access-date=January 8, 2021|archive-date=June 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611230221/http://iad.bangkok.go.th/en/list|url-status=dead}}
• {{flagicon|CHN}} Beijing, China{{cite web |title=Sister Cities|url=http://english.beijing.gov.cn/beijinginfo/sistercities/|website=beijing.gov.cn|publisher=Beijing|access-date=January 8, 2021}}
• {{flagicon|KOR}} Busan, South Korea{{cite web |title=List of Sister Cities|url=https://english.busan.go.kr/SisterCities|website=english.busan.go.kr|publisher=Busan Metropolitan City|access-date=January 8, 2021}}
• {{flagicon|CHN}} Chongqing, China{{cite web|title=34年来重庆的朋友圈里有37个友好城市|url=http://cq.sina.cn/news/sh/2016-11-11/detail-ifxxsmic5961247.d.html|website=cq.sina.cn|publisher=Sina|language=zh|date=November 11, 2016|access-date=January 8, 2021|archive-date=August 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811160749/http://cq.sina.cn/news/sh/2016-11-11/detail-ifxxsmic5961247.d.html|url-status=dead}}
• {{flagicon|USA}} Cleveland, United States{{cite web |title=Cleveland, Tenn., is now sister city to... Phnom Penh?|url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/24/tn-cleveland-phnom-penh-are-sister-cities/|publisher=Chattanooga Times Free Press|date=2012-07-24|access-date=2024-10-05}}
• {{flagicon|Vietnam}} Hanoi, Vietnam{{cite web |title=Khánh thành Đại lộ mang tên hai thủ đô kết nghĩa Phnom Penh-Hà Nội|url=http://baodongnai.com.vn/thegioi/201703/khanh-thanh-dai-lo-mang-ten-hai-thu-do-ket-nghia-phnom-penh-ha-noi-2788423/|website=baodongnai.com.vn|publisher=Đồng Nai|language=vi|date=March 6, 2017|access-date=January 8, 2021}}
• {{flagicon|CHN}} Hefei, China{{cite web|title=A List of Sister Cities of Anhui|url=http://english.ah.gov.cn/AboutAnhui/InternationalExchanges/SisterProvincesandCities/4004821.html|website=ah.gov.cn|publisher=Anhui Province|access-date=January 8, 2021|archive-date=August 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802172652/http://english.ah.gov.cn/AboutAnhui/InternationalExchanges/SisterProvincesandCities/4004821.html}}
• {{flagicon|Vietnam}} Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam{{cite web |title=Danh sách địa phương nước ngoài kết nghĩa với TpHCM|url=http://www.mofahcm.gov.vn/vi/hoptac_qt/nr041014110554/ns150417132533|website=mofahcm.gov.vn|publisher=Ho Chi Minh City|language=vi|access-date=January 8, 2021}}
• {{flagicon|KOR}} Incheon, South Korea{{cite web |title=Sister Cities & Affiliated Cities|url=https://www.incheon.go.kr/en/EN020101|website=incheon.go.kr|publisher=Incheon Metropolitan City|access-date=January 8, 2021}}
• {{flagicon|JAP}} Kitakyushu, Japan{{cite web|title=姉妹・友好都市の紹介|url=https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/soumu/file_0233.html|website=city.kitakyushu.lg.jp|publisher=Kitakyushu|language=ja|access-date=January 8, 2021|archive-date=August 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826002134/https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/soumu/file_0233.html|url-status=dead}}
• {{flagicon|CHN}} Kunming, China{{cite web|title=Sister Cities|url=https://kunming.cn/en/sister_cities/index.shtml|website=kunming.cn|publisher=Kunming|access-date=January 8, 2021|archive-date=March 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328080610/https://kunming.cn/en/sister_cities/index.shtml|url-status=dead}}
• {{flagicon|USA}} Long Beach, United States{{cite web |title=Home|url=https://www.sistercitiesoflongbeach.org/|website=sistercitiesoflongbeach.org|publisher=Sister Cities of Long Beach, California|access-date=January 8, 2021}}
• {{flagicon|USA}} Lowell, United States{{cite web |title=Phnom Penh, Lowell Enter 'Sister City' Relationship|url=https://english.cambodiadaily.com/news/phnom-penh-lowell-enter-sister-city-relationship-76170/|website=cambodiadaily.com|publisher=The Cambodia Daily|date=January 15, 2015|access-date=January 8, 2021}}
• {{flagicon|CHN}} Shanghai, China{{cite web|title=市级友好城市|url=http://wsb.sh.gov.cn/node550/index.html|website=sh.gov.cn|publisher=Shanghai|language=zh|access-date=January 8, 2021|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919163609/http://wsb.sh.gov.cn/node550/index.html}}
• {{flagicon|CHN}} Shenzhen, China{{cite web |title=Sister Cities|url=http://www.sz.gov.cn/en_szgov/govt/cities/sister/index.html|website=sz.gov.cn|publisher=Shenzhen|access-date=January 8, 2021}}
• {{flagicon|CHN}} Shantou, China{{cite news |author1=姚天爵 |title=汕头与金边缔结为友好交流城市 13个项目签约逾6亿元 |url=https://strb.dahuawang.com/content/202408/13/c161890.htm |work=汕头日报 |date=2024-08-13 |language=zh |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |access-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813201144/https://strb.dahuawang.com/content/202408/13/c161890.htm |url-status=dead }}

{{div col end}}

{{See|:Category:People from Phnom Penh}}

• Tep Boprek, musician
• George Groslier, French polymath, historian, archaeologist
• Patricia Hy-Boulais, professional tennis player
• Theavy Mok (born 1963), first plastic surgeon in Cambodia
• Ieu Pannakar, film maker
• Makhali-Phâl, author
• Veth Rathana, actress
• Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia
• Mu Sochua, politician
• Preap Sovath, Cambodian singer
• Phal Sophorn, champion pradal serey boxer
• Chhet Sovanpanha, musician
• Loung Ung, author

• Special Economic Zones of Cambodia

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite book | title=Angkor And Cambodia In the Sixteenth Century|last1=Groslier|first1=B.P.|year=2006|publisher=Orchid Press|location=Bangkok}}
• {{Cite book |title=Phnom Penh Then and Now|last1=Igout|first1=Michel|last2=Dubuisson|first2=Serge|year=1993|publisher=White Lotus|location=Bangkok|isbn=978-974-8495-84-2|oclc=29795478}}
• {{Cite book |title=Journey Through Phnom Penh: A Pictorial Guide to the Jewel of Cambodia|last1=LeBoutillier|first1=Kris|last2=Ariff|first2=Shahida|year=2004|publisher=Times Editions|location=Singapore|isbn=978-981-232-596-9|oclc=55501046}}
• {{Cite book |title=AZU's Dreams of Cambodia. Phnom Penh|last1=Leroy|first1=Joakim|last2=Hoskin|first2=John|year=2005|publisher=AZU Editions Ltd|location= Hong Kong|isbn=978-988-98140-2-1|oclc=62328690}}
• {{Cite book |last=Kolnberger |first=Thomas |title=Continuity and change: Transformations in the urban history of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in: Southeast Asian Transformations. Urban and Rural Developments in the 21st Century, pp. 219–239, ed. by S. Kurfürst and S. Wehner |publisher=Transcript (Bielefeld) |year=2020 |hdl=10993/43963 |url=http://hdl.handle.net/10993/43963}}

{{Commons and category}}

• [http://www.phnompenh.gov.kh/ Official city website]
• [http://worldclock.com/asia/cambodia/time-in-phnom-penh/ Time in Phnom Penh]
• {{Wikivoyage-inline|Phnom Penh}}
• {{OSM|n|560229438}}
• {{osmrelation-inline|2199033}}

{{Portal bar|Cambodia}}

{{Phnom Penh}}

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Phnom Penh

|North = Mukh Kampol, Kandal

|Northeast = Khsach Kandal, Kandal

|East = Lavear Em, Kandal

|Southeast = Ta Khmao, Kandal

|South = Kandal Stung, Kandal

|Southwest = Ang Snuol, Kandal

|West = Ang Snoul, Kandal

|Northwest = Ponhea Leu, Kandal

}}

{{Navboxes

|list =

{{Provinces of Cambodia}}

{{Cities in Cambodia}}

{{Most populous cities in Cambodia}}

{{List of Asian capitals by region}}

{{Phnom Penh Bus Rapid Transit stations}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Municipalities of Cambodia

Category:Provinces of Cambodia

Category:Populated places on the Mekong River

Category:Capitals in Asia

Category:Populated places established in the 5th century

Category:Cities in Cambodia

Category:14th-century establishments in Asia

Category:States and territories established in 1372