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Siem Reap Map
Cambodia Maps
Siem ReapSiem Reap is the second-largest city in Cambodia. Its name means ‘Defeat of Thailand’, a reference to the time when the Khmer Empire ruled over large areas of Siam (present-day Thailand). After the Siamese took over Angkor in 1431, Siem Reap was eventually governed by Siam. Before Siem Reap developed and expanded, it was just a tiny village located near the Angkor temples. It was at the start of the 20th century when the development of Siem Reap began. After the Le Grand Hotel D'Angkor opened in 1932, international tourists began to arrive in the area and continued to do so until the start of WW II. When the war ended, tourists continued to visit the area until the conflict between Cambodia and Vietnam began. The tourism industry in Siem Reap only recovered in the 1990s. At present, Siem Reap is now home to luxurious spas, award-winning restaurants, as well as high-end hotels and resorts. However, the place has not lost its old-world charm despite its development. Attractions such as Wat Bo, Wat Damnak, Wat Athvea and the Cambodian Cultural Village maintain the old-world appeal and beauty of Siem Reap. |
