CAMBODIA: The Khmer's Empire and Other Temples

 ANGKOR THOM AND THE BANYON TEMPLE

Angkor Thom, one of the last capital cities built in the Khmer empire, was constructed in the late 12th century as the capital during Jayavarman VII's empire. 

It was the centre of the king's massive building program to outdo his predecessors and covers an area of 9 square kilometres. The city is believed to have had a population of 80,000–150,000 people.

The city was highly developed with a system of roads and waterways, as well as four hospitals.

The city is surrounded by high defensive walls, three kilometers long on each side. 

Access to the city was through five gopura gates, one at the center of each wall, and an extra one (the Victory Gate) on the road to the Royal Palace.

CAMBODIA: Angkor Wat

The Khmer kings ruled one of the largest, most prosperous, and most sophisticated kingdoms in the history of Southeast Asia. 

The Khmer dynasty lasted from the 9^th century to the 15^th century. 

The empire consisted of present-day Cambodia, as well as a lot of Thailand, southern Vietnam and Laos.

Over the 600 years, numerous construction projects were undertaken by the different Khmer Kings, each trying to outdo their predecessors.

Angkor, which served as the royal center, was once the largest pre-industrial city in the world with over a million people! 

Angkor Archaeological Park contains the remains of some of the Khmer Empire’s cities, buildings, temples, urban plans and water reservoirs. It comprises of more than a thousand buildings and it is one of the great cultural wonders of the world.

The Park is HUGE, stretching over 400 sq km’s and is a testament to the Khmer’s advanced civilization.

The park is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.