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	Cambodia Its rich culture has made Cambodia a popular tourist destination; art, religion, and architecture thrived under first Hindu Funan, and later, Angkor rule, and this heritage today attracts visitors in droves. Cambodia was colonized by the French in the 19th century and obtained independence following World War II. It endured years of conflict both domestically and internationally with neighboring Vietnam; indeed, Vietnam occupied Cambodia from 1979 to 1989. In 1993, Cambodia finally re-attained self-governance through the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. However, the nation ... more Its rich culture has made Cambodia a popular tourist destination; art, religion, and architecture thrived under first Hindu Funan, and later, Angkor rule, and this heritage today attracts visitors in droves. Cambodia was colonized by the French in the 19th century and obtained independence following World War II. It endured years of conflict both domestically and internationally with neighboring Vietnam; indeed, Vietnam occupied Cambodia from 1979 to 1989. In 1993, Cambodia finally re-attained self-governance through the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. However, the nation is still recovering from a dark history of war and genocide. The Khmer Rouge Regime From 1975 to 1979, Cambodians suffered under the Communist Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot. Under his control, years of development were undone as Cambodia was turned into an agricultural society. Those with high levels of education or religious belief, associations with the former government, or different ethnicities were labeled "enemies of the state" and executed in what are now known as the "killing fields." The postal service, currency, hospitals, telephones, books, music, and art were banned or destroyed. In 1979, the Vietnamese invasion ousted the Khmer Rouge, but not before 2 million people were murdered and the country's infrastructure ruined. Cambodia has only just begun to recover from the devastation caused by the Khmer Rouge; many continue to fall victim to hidden landmines left over from the war. Rural Poverty and Urbanization Today, Cambodia is more stable politically, but still faces a number of challenges in its transition to democracy. Migration from rural areas to the cities is becoming a problem for the country, as in much of the developing world. Droughts, decreasing natural resources, and the rise of large business-style farms are making it very difficult for small subsistence farmers, who make up 85% of the population, to support themselves. As a result, many move to the cities in search of jobs. The large numbers of poor migrants creates slums, where violence, drugs, and the sex industry thrive. Human trafficking is a major issue; women and children are often either kidnapped or sold by their impoverished families out of desperation. To address the large-scale migration and its associated problems, rural poverty must be addressed at its source by creating strong and sustainable local economies in rural areas. Labor Practices Many migrants to cities find work in one of Phnom Penh's factories, producing exports for the U.S. garment industry. Previously, labor practices and sweatshops in the factory areas of Phnom Penh were major concerns. Women and children laboring in factories endured poor working conditions and low wages. In 2001, the International Labor Organization (ILO) created the "Better Factories Cambodia" program to ensure that all garment export industries follow labor standards and grant rights to workers. A 2005 World Bank study gave Cambodia good marks for its labor environment, higher than for any other Asian country. Although it still has a long way to go, Cambodia's people are taking great strides to rebuild their country. close text

Cambodia

Its rich culture has made Cambodia a popular tourist destination; art, religion, and architecture thrived under first Hindu Funan, and later, Angkor rule, and this heritage today attracts visitors in droves. Cambodia was colonized by the French in the 19th century and obtained independence following World War II. It endured years of conflict both domestically and internationally with neighboring Vietnam; indeed, Vietnam occupied Cambodia from 1979 to 1989. In 1993, Cambodia finally re-attained self-governance through the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. However, the nation ... more

The Khmer Rouge Regime

From 1975 to 1979, Cambodians suffered under the Communist Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot. Under his control, years of development were undone as Cambodia was turned into an agricultural society. Those with high levels of education or religious belief, associations with the former government, or different ethnicities were labeled "enemies of the state" and executed in what are now known as the "killing fields." The postal service, currency, hospitals, telephones, books, music, and art were banned or destroyed. In 1979, the Vietnamese invasion ousted the Khmer Rouge, but not before 2 million people were murdered and the country's infrastructure ruined. Cambodia has only just begun to recover from the devastation caused by the Khmer Rouge; many continue to fall victim to hidden landmines left over from the war.

Rural Poverty and Urbanization

Today, Cambodia is more stable politically, but still faces a number of challenges in its transition to democracy. Migration from rural areas to the cities is becoming a problem for the country, as in much of the developing world. Droughts, decreasing natural resources, and the rise of large business-style farms are making it very difficult for small subsistence farmers, who make up 85% of the population, to support themselves. As a result, many move to the cities in search of jobs. The large numbers of poor migrants creates slums, where violence, drugs, and the sex industry thrive. Human trafficking is a major issue; women and children are often either kidnapped or sold by their impoverished families out of desperation. To address the large-scale migration and its associated problems, rural poverty must be addressed at its source by creating strong and sustainable local economies in rural areas.

Labor Practices

Many migrants to cities find work in one of Phnom Penh's factories, producing exports for the U.S. garment industry. Previously, labor practices and sweatshops in the factory areas of Phnom Penh were major concerns. Women and children laboring in factories endured poor working conditions and low wages. In 2001, the International Labor Organization (ILO) created the "Better Factories Cambodia" program to ensure that all garment export industries follow labor standards and grant rights to workers. A 2005 World Bank study gave Cambodia good marks for its labor environment, higher than for any other Asian country. Although it still has a long way to go, Cambodia's people are taking great strides to rebuild their country.

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