Geography & environment — Cambodia
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Cambodia: Southeast Asia
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
Southeast Asia
- Geographic Coordinates
13 00 N, 105 00 E
- Total Area
69,898 Square Miles 181,035 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
68,152 Square Miles 176,515 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
1,745 Square Miles 4,520 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
1,598 Miles 2,572 Kilometers
- Border Countries
Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km
- Coastline
275 Miles 443 Kilometers
Physical geography
- Terrain
Mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north
- Highest Point
1,810 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
- Lowest Point Location
Gulf of Thailand 0 m
- Natural Resources
Oil and gas, timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential
- Irrigated Land
1,365 Square Miles 3,536 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
- Climate
The climate in Cambodia is relatively consistent throughout the country--hot and humid. There are two distinct seasons: a dry season that lasts from November to May, and a rainy season lasting from June to October. The country has an average annual rainfall of between 50 and 75 inches with the southwestern mountains, the area with the highest rainfall, receiving nearly 200 inches per year. December to February are the coolest months of the year, when temperatures can drop to the mid to upper 60°F (25-27°C). April is the hottest month, when temperatures regularly exceed 100°F (40°C). The average relative humidity is 81%. During the rainy season, periodic flooding in Phnom Penh can make driving a problem due to the city's old and dysfunctional drainage system. Despite this, standing water usually drains away within a matter of hours.
- Terrain
Mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north
- Location
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos
- Total Area
69,898 Square Miles 181,035 Square Kilometers
- Border Countries
Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
Illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries)
soil erosion
in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water
declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing
- Environment - International Agreements
Party To: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea