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Kratié Province

Kratié
ក្រចេះ
Province
A bridge in Kratié
A bridge in Kratié
Map of Cambodia highlighting Kratié
Map of Cambodia highlighting Kratié
Coordinates: 12°29′N 106°1′E / 12.483°N 106.017°E / 12.483; 106.017Coordinates: 12°29′N 106°1′E / 12.483°N 106.017°E / 12.483; 106.017
Country  Cambodia
Provincial status 1907
Capital Kratié
Area
 • Total 11,094 km2 (4,283 sq mi)
Area rank Ranked 7th
Population (2008)
 • Total 318,523
 • Rank Ranked 16th
 • Density 29/km2 (74/sq mi)
 • Density rank Ranked 20th
Time zone UTC+07
Dialing code +855
ISO 3166 code KH-10
Districts 5

Kratié or Kraches (Khmer: ក្រចេះ IPA: [krɑˈceh], "Powder Cosmetic") is a province (khaet) of Cambodia located in the northeast. It borders Stung Treng to the north, Mondulkiri to the east, Kampong Thom and Kampong Cham to the west, and Tbong Khmum and Vietnam to the south.

The capital of the province is the town of Kratié located in Kratié District.

The area now known as Kratié was part of the early first millennium Kingdom of Funan until Funan itself was superseded and absorbed in the 6th century by Chenla. Sampheak Borak, the former Royal Capital during the Chenla Era, is located in Sambo District. In addition, Kratié has Vihear Sasar Muayroy Pagoda built in the 16th century. This pagoda is related to a Khmer legend Krapeur Nen Thun (Venerable Monk Thun, the Crocodile). Kratié has several temples built in the 8th century such as Khvas Pi, Pram, and Koh Kring that has perfect deities, ancient halls, Khmer ancient houses, and French-style buildings. The area near Kratié along the Mekong River was one of the most densely populated regions of the pre-Angkorian era of Cambodia.

Lon Nol was the province's governor in 1945. During the Vietnam and Cambodian Civil Wars and the subsequent Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia, intense fighting took place in Kratié.Operation Menu, the 1969-1970 United States bombing campaign targeting Vietnamese supply routes and bases in Cambodia and Laos, resulted in heavy bombardment of Kratié. Recovering unexploded ordnance and de-mining has been a major initiative since at least the mid-2000s.


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