Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh រាជធានីភ្នំពេញ គុជអាស៊ី (Pearl of Asia)
Provincial Municipality
ក្រុងភ្នំពេញ · City of Phnom Penh
Clockwise, from top: Royal Throne Hall, Silver Pagoda, lion and naga statues, Canadia Tower, National Museum, stupa of King Ponhea Yat, Choeung Ek
Seal
Nickname(s): Pearl of Asia (pre-1960s) The Charming City
Phnom Penh Location in Cambodia
Coordinates: 11°33′N 104°55′E / 11.550°N 104.917°E / 11.550; 104.917Coordinates: 11°33′N 104°55′E / 11.550°N 104.917°E / 11.550; 104.917
Country	Cambodia
Founded	1372
Capital status	1865
Subdivisions	12 districts (khans)
Government
• Type	Municipal council
• Governor	Pa Socheatvong (CPP)
Area
• Total	678.46 km2 (261.95 sq mi)
Area rank	Ranked 24th
Elevation	11.89 m (39.01 ft)
Population (2012)
• Total	1,501,725
• Rank	Ranked 1st
• Density	2,200/km2 (5,700/sq mi)
• Density rank	Ranked 1st
Demonym(s)	Phnom Penher
Time zone	Indochina Time (UTC+7)
Website	www.phnompenh.gov.kh/

Phnom Penh (/pəˈnɔːm ˈpɛn/ or /ˈnɒm ˈpɛn/;Khmer: ភ្នំពេញ, Khmer pronunciation: [pʰnum peɲ]), formerly known as Chaktomuk (Khmer: ចតុមុខ "Four Faces"), is the capital and most populous city of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Tonlé Sap and Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since French colonization of Cambodia, and has grown to become the nation's center of economic and industrial activities, as well as the center of security, politics, cultural heritage, and diplomacy of Cambodia.

Once known as the "Pearl of Asia," it was considered one of the loveliest French-built cities in Indochina in the 1920s. Phnom Penh, along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, are significant global and domestic tourist destinations for Cambodia. Founded in 1434, the city is noted for its beautiful and historical architecture and attractions. There are a number of surviving French colonial buildings scattered along the grand boulevards.