1.1 . Physical Geography

Cambodia's physical land features vary from region to region. A depression lake from northwest to southwest formed the old bay and the Mekong River carried sedimentation during the diluvial and alluvial epochs. Highlands and hills were then flattened and the present landscape was formed. The geologic features of mountains are Metamorphic rock in Proterozoic era, and the sedimentary rock Andesite and Bassalt are formed in Paleozoic era and Mesozoic era.

The geographic characteristics of Cambodia are divided into five types: central plains, northern mountains, eastern highlands, southwestern mountains, and the southern coastal region.

a) Central plains

The central plains of the Kingdom of Cambodia are low-lying alluvial plains which surround the Tonle Sap Great Lake area; the Mekong River delta lies in the southeast section of the plain. This region occupies most of the central area and dominates the country. Transitional plains extend outward from this region, with thin forests at elevations no higher than several hundred feet above sea level.

b) Northern mountains

Along the Cambodia-Thai border to the north, the Cambodian plain borders a sandstone escarpment that marks the southern boundary of the Dangrek Mountains. A southward-facing cliff, stretching for more than 300 km from east to west, rises abruptly from the plain at a range of 180 to 550 meters.

c) Eastern highlands

East of the Mekong River, the transitional plains merge with the eastern highlands and extend forward into Laos PDR and Vietnam. This is a region of mountains and plateaus with lush forests.

d) Southwestern mountains

In the southwestern part of Cambodia, there are two distinct mountains, namely, (i) the Cardamom Mountains and (ii) the Elephant Mountains. These two mountains form another region extending between Tonle Sap and the Gulf of Thailand, and act as a physical barrier along the country's coast. Mount Oral at a height of 1,813 meters is the highest mountain in Cambodia and is located in this area.

e) Southern coastal region

The southern coastal region facing the Gulf of Thailand is a narrow lowland strip, which is heavily wooded and sparsely populated. This area is isolated from the central plains with the southwestern highlands located in between.

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Table of contents > 1. Overview

1.0. Background Information

1.1. Physical geography

1.2. Topography and administrative boundaries

1.3. Weather

1.4. Hydrology