Cambodia locates in the Southeast Asia, surrounding by Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand neighbors. Mountain ranges cover the northern, western and southern borders of Cambodia whereas the center of the country consists of flat lands surrounding the Tonlé Sap Lake and the Mekong River. The economy develops by exporting cloth, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear and Cambodia’s population was 8.9 million that is reasonably smaller than other Asian countries until now.
Phnom Penh is a famous capital of Cambodia – Source: cambodianangkortour.com
Waterways play an essential part in the Cambodian cultural history; it flows through three capitals of Cambodia: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Battangbam. Indochina holidays Cambodia
The legend of the Naga is very famous for all Cambodians. It began in ancient time when the only inhabitant of Cambodia was “Naga”, a kingdom of serpents. People in Cambodia called him as Kok Thlok – “the land with a tree”. It is because all you could see above water level in Kok Thlok was a tree on the top of a holy mountain. Legend said that there was a Hindu prince reached the island after his father chased away from his homeland. His name is Preah Tong, fell in love with a daughter of Naga King, Soma. The king approved of a wedding, poured the water surrounding the mountain, and created a new land for them. Then, he offered them to this new land and so Cambodia was born. Therefore, Cambodia possesses many waterways that three capitals from ancient time to now to develop the agriculture and seafood.
Waterways through the Tonlé Sap flowing to three capitals of Cambodia – Source: travels-with-jerry.com
The Tonlé Sap locates in the Western half of Cambodia and connects with some important Cambodian waterways such as the Mekong and the Kong. The meaning of Tonlé Sap is “freshwater lake” in Khmer and it is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the Southeast Asia. It is where Cambodian communities live by fishing and the development of economy and industry. Travel to Cambodia
This Tonlé Sap is a lake that its layout and measurements change as the seasons do. In detail, the surface area of the lake in the dry season is 2,700 kilometers square whereas 12,000 kilometers square in the wet season, a huge change. The Tonlé Sap is a great natural beauty from Mother Nature and its strength has brought to avoid several threats as natural barriers. As a result, the Tonlé Sap is an essential lake for the survival of lifestyles and jobs in three capitals of Cambodia.
The Mekong River is another waterway to Cambodia – Source: wwf.panda.org
Besides the Tonlé Sap, another waterway flowing through three capitals of Cambodia and affecting much is the Mekong River. The Mekong runs through the Asian countries such as Tibet, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. It ends at the South Sea. The Mekong is 4,200 kilometers in length and runs for 486 kilometers through Cambodia. It has brought a source of fisheries, irrigation, and transport and hydropower generation for three capitals while flowing. Similar to the Tonlé Sap, the Mekong plays necessary role depending on the change of seasons. It would reverse its flow in the rainy season and increases in the wet season.
This globe holds hundreds of maleficent and unique waterways. However, it is difficult to find lakes such as the Tonlé Sap and the Mekong to be one of the greatest lakes and rivers in Cambodia.
Therefore, our lakes and rivers are important in our culture, history and civilization. People should preserve the spectacular waterways and embrace the cultural and historical importance of the unique waters in our planet.
Travel lovers.
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