Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world and it is nestled in Cambodia. It is also the country’s most famous attraction. It is a very important structure in Cambodia. It is so significant that it is featured in the Cambodian flag, which is the only national flag that has a building on it.
Cambodia is an Asian country with a land area of 181,035 square kilometers (44.7 million acres), occupied by around 15.3 million people. The nation has changed its name multiple times every few centuries. It was originally the Funan Empire from year 50 to 550. It was then changed to Chenia Empire, followed by the Khmer Empire and finally, became Cambodia in 1431. In 1863, the country became a territory of France and was known as the French Protectorate of Cambodia. It was Kampuchea from 1975 to 1976 and then several variations that use either Kampuchea or Cambodia until 1993, when it was decided that the official name will be the Kingdom of Cambodia.
The country has never been known for its ecological practices. It ranks low in terms of air quality, water resource management, and sanitation. Deforestation in the country is also one of the worst in the world. It became imperative to the country that some of its intact natural resources be protected. Tourists visiting Angkor Wat should also drop by these unexplored national parks of Cambodia:
1. Botum Sakor National Park
Animal lovers should check out this park in Botum Sakor, off the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. This is Cambodia’s largest national park teeming with wildlife, a lot of which are considered endangered. The park is generally lowlands blanketed in grasslands and evergreen woods, with generous flood plains with forest swamps and mangrove.
Among the endangered species thriving in the park are various types of primates. The Bengal slow loris is native to Indochina, which Cambodia is a part of. It is considered a threatened species because of the demand for exotic animals as pets. Indochinese lutung, which is part of the family of Old World Monkey, is also found in the park. Pileated gibbons are also commonly sighted in the park. They are endangered because their habitats, the forest areas, are always being destroyed. Other endangered animals that reside in Botum Sakor are Asian elephant, dhole, fishing cat, hog deer, and Sunda pangolin. The creeks also have a small population of Siamese crocodiles, which is already considered the largest in the world. There are also hundreds of species of birds documented in the park as well as various insects.
2. Kep National Park
This protected area was established in 1993. It comprises a small mountain range that is great for hiking and mountain climbing. There are trails for visitors ranging from an easy hike to moderate and challenging. The peaks provide a great view of the entire park as well as some other parts of Cambodia and neighboring countries. Vietnam’s largest island, Phu Quoc, is visible from Kep’s peaks. The Bokor Range also is known as the Damrei Mountains, a mountain range in the southwestern part of Cambodia, is also visible from the peaks of the park. Another part of the park provides a fantastic view of Vietnam’s vast marine reserve in Kien Giang region.
3. Phnom Kulen National Park
Archeological sites and waterfalls make this park an attraction that tourists should surely visit. As the name suggests, it is located in Phnom Kulen, a mountain range in Cambodia. There are large massifs within the range and several refreshing waterfalls. The park is also a historically important Cambodian spot because it was here that Jayavarman II, the founder of the Khmer Empire, declared himself the king of kings.
The Chup Preah is a valley that is one of the archeological spots within the park. It is here where several statues believed to have been made during the 16th century, can be found. Another culturally important spot in the park is the Kbal Spean also known as the Valley of a Thousand Lingas. Yoni and Lingas structures are scattered all over this valley and even in the banks of the Kbal Spean River. The Terrace of Sdach Kamlung is also found in the area—a terrace with the ruins of a temple.
4. Southern Cardamom National Park
As the name suggests, the park covers the southern part of the Cardamom Mountains, a mountain range traversing Cambodia and Thailand—but the majority of which is in Cambodia. The park also consolidates previously identified protected areas: Central Cardamom Mountains, Phnom Aural Wildlife Sanctuary, and Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary.
The park aims to protect wildlife with special attention to tigers, which went extinct in Cambodia in 2007. Tigers have since been re-introduced in this park and Cambodian authorities hope that poachers will not be able to reach them.
5. Virachey National Park
This is a remote park that is largely unexplored in Cambodia. For those who want to experience true wilderness, this is the place. Tourists can hike and watch out for wildlife, or enjoy multi-day treks and camping. The park is covered in grasslands, which make it easier to hike. There are also waterfalls and lakes within the park to refresh and rejuvenate the tourists during those multi-day adventures. The water bodies are also great for kayaking or canoeing as long as there is equipment for it.
The park is home to a few species of langurs, which are part of the Old World Monkey family. These are mainly terrestrial primates so the forests are important habitats for them. There are also barking deer and wild pigs around the forests. Despite how remote Virachey is, poachers still find a way to reach it. Even poachers from Vietnam cross boundaries to hunt the last elephants and tigers in the area.
The park is also an ASEAN Heritage Park, which is a designation given to an area known for its biodiversity and exceptional uniqueness. It is a top priority for conservation in entire Southeast Asia.