The geography of this particular region played a key role in
shaping the Khmer Empire’s history and success.
The Khmer Empire consisted of countries in South-East Asia, now known as Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Burma and South Vietnam. The Khmer homeland was Cambodia and it became the most powerful state in South-East Asia. By the twelfth century, it expanded into most of Thailand, Laos and Southern Vietnam. |
|
Almost all of South-East Asia lives in the topics and most
of the area has a humid and hot monsoon (a seasonal prevailing
wind) climate. This means this region has dry and wet seasons,
and generally only the upland areas have cool seasons. It is an area of many
geographical differences, with heavily
cropped (a lot of farming and crops
in a particular area) river valleys such as the Mekong Delta (an area of flat,
fertile land at the mouth of a river which extends out into the sea) in
Vietnam but also dense rainforests in Western Malaysia and dry areas in Burma
and North-East Thailand.
Most of the population, as expected lived in the lowlands, along the rivers and lakes. These places were more concentrated with people as these places provided fresh water, fertile soil that was used to grow crops and access to the sea for trading.
Most of the population, as expected lived in the lowlands, along the rivers and lakes. These places were more concentrated with people as these places provided fresh water, fertile soil that was used to grow crops and access to the sea for trading.
Location of Angkor WatAngkor Wat, which means 'city temple' is a temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument on our planet. It was originally built as a Hindu temple for the Khmer Empire, but gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. It is probably the Khmer Empire's most significant achievement and was created during Suryavarman II's reign.
|