The Great Khmer Empire



The Great Khmer Empire is a nation situated in South-East Asia between India, China, Indonesia, and Philippine. It is, today, one of the world leading superpower.

Name

The Great Khmer Empire or Khmer Empire is officially named ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជាធិបតី សិរីធរ បវរឥន្ទបត្តបុរីរដ្ឋរាជសីមា មហានគរ or in English, “Kingdom of Cambodia with peace, glory, and prosperity as the land of heaven.” While this name is rarely used beside in official documents, most people around the world refer to this land as Cambodia. The word Cambodia is thought to derive from the ancient name of the nation, Kambujadese (the land of Kampuja).

The name of the capital city of the Empire is Yasudharapura (Glory-bearing City). Due to the difficulty to pronoun the name, English speakers prefer to call it the City of Angkor.

History

Pre-History

According to archeologists, Khmer people settled on the land since around 3500 BC. Although little evident remains, experts believe that pre-historic Khmer were living in small tribes consisted of around 50 to 100 families surrounding by a wooden fend and a ditch. There are a few remains of decorated musical instruments which is now believed to be remnant of Khmer pre-Buddhist faith. Experts still have little to no idea to what did these people worshiped.

Foundation

Like most of the pre-industrial tale, it is hard to separate truth from myth. There is no record to how or by who did Khmer tribes were united. Earliest records on stones telling of a story of an Indian prince who were exiled and sailed eastward just to find a mysterious civilization unknown to the world. The ruling queen, Somar, ordered her navy to seize the prince's ship. Unknown to the queen, the exiled prince was gifted with a magic bow from heaven before he left his kingdom which he used to sink the queen's fleets. Faced with a weapon she couldn't defect, queen Somar surrendered. The prince was crowned as a first official king of Khmer civilization. He married queen Somar and took the name Korden the First. Together, they established the Somarvung Dynasty and began the history of Khmer Empire.

'''The Unification of the Sun and the Moon'''

The Somarvung Dynasty means the Moon Dynasty in old script. They controlled a portion of southern part of the modern-day Empire. Khmer had very close relationship with India since their first king was Indian by birth. This Dynasty was the dominant force in south-east Asia at the time.

To the north of their border lied another kingdom ruled by the Soravung Dynasty (meaning the Sun Dynasty in old script). The origin of this dynasty is unknown, but what is clear is that the Soravung Dynasty was pretty much considered as one of many vassal states of Somar Dynasty. While not much is known about this dynasty's early history, historians estimate that Soravung Dynasty was probably founded in the late 5th century AD.

In 514 AD, prince Rutravaraman murdered his brother, a legitimate heir to the throne, and crowned himself king. This action made him unpopular and his grip on power weaken. Taken advantage of this political crisis, king Poravavaraman the First of Soravung Dynasty announced his kingdom free of the Somarvung’s control and declared war with the old dynasty. This war lasted until 628 AD when king Isanvaraman the First completely destroyed the army of Somarvung Dynasty. Then, he declared the official unification of the land which were renamed the Kingdom of Kambujadese (later known as Cambodia). He moved the capital to the new place which he named after himself, Isanpura (about 250 km east of modern-day capital Angkor).

'''The Turmoil of the 8th Century'''

In 681 AD after king Jayavarman the First died without male heir, a new queen was crowned named Jeytevi the First, who was either the wife or Daughter of Jayavarman the First. Historians believe that her grip on the kingdom was weakening encouraged many warlords to break away. The kingdom was engorged in civil war as the queen's forces fought to maintain unification of the kingdom. For nearly a century, the kingdom was fracture and consumed by wars which in turn sapping the kingdom of its strength.

In 774 AD, the Srivijaya Empire from the south invaded the already fracturing kingdom. They burnt and plundered the capital Isanpura. The royal family along with nearly 100,000 Khmer citizens were forced to live in captivity on the island of Java. This was described as the darkest moment in the History of Cambodia.

'''The Birth of the Empire'''

Among those begin forced to abandon the country was a young prince whom name has been lost to history. While living in Srivijava Empire, he had spent childhood studying about politics, military, and how Srivijava became so powerful. In 800 AD, with a couple of his closest advisers, he secretly left the island of Java with the goal to reunite the kingdom. He moved from places to places, united tribal warlords and the people. The young prince was described as gifted from god with a sacred tongue. He was able to persuade every warlords to accept him as a new king. After 2 years, in 802 AD at the top of Kulan Mountain just north of the modern-day capital, the prince was crowned the first ruler of a reunited kingdom. He took the name Jayavarman II. He announced the city of Yasodharapura to be the capital city of the kingdom.

Khmer people always refer this moment as the morning has begun. The new sun has risen on the ancient land, and once again, the Naga has returned. Less than a century later, in 877 AD, prince Intravarman became the first to be crowned Emperor. He rename the country to "the Kingdom of Cambodia with peace, glory, and prosperity as the land of heaven.” This name is continued to be used as the nation’s official title till these days.

'''Suryavarman II and the First Golden Age'''

'''Suryavarman II'''

The Golden Age of the Khmer Empire came when Suryavarman II the Great ascended the throne. He was crowned emperor at the age of 16 in 1113 and married Princess Suryavana. He immediately set out to expand the Empire’s border. He started campaigns against the neighbouring kingdoms of Champa to the east, and Mon to the west. He was a great strategist and successfully conquered and subjugated the kingdoms and peoples. Back home, the emperor set out to construct of the great temple of Angkor Wat, the largest sacred temple on Earth. He chose the Hindu God Vishnu as his patron.

In 1130, Emperor Suryavarman II began a campaign in Kingdom of Pagan, another main power in Main land South-East Asia. After 3 years of fighting, the Emperor took the capital city Bagan and controlled the land east of the Irrawaddy River. The Emperor renamed the region, Pachempura (land of the west). At around the same time, land west of Irrawaddy River was conquered by India. This spelled the end of the Kingdom of Pagan. Khmer had now control over most mainland Southeast Asia.

The emperor planned to invade Dai Viet inn 1150. While he was matching toward the eastern border, he felled ill by malaria and die, leaving his wife, Suryavana and his only son, Suryavarman III to reign the empire. He was buried inside his temple, Angkor Wat.

Suryavana

Suryavarman III was only ten years old when his father died and was named as Suryavarman's successor. However, his mother, Suryavana, acting as the emperor's right hand man took control of the Empire from her son. She reigned for 24 year until her death in 1176. She was the caring monarch unlike her husband. She repaired the damages on the Empire and her people from years of conquest. She commanded construction of many Baray (Khmer super aqueducts) and expand Khmer's agricultural products. She also overlooked many highway construction that connected various parts of the Empire, and allowed the military to react fast to trouble. In 1153, she established diplomatic relationship with the Byzantine Empire while strengthen those with India, and China. By learning the best parts of other nation, she was to introduce the successful combat strategy of the Roman and gunpowder from China to Khmer army, which she gave an official name, the Imperial Armed Forces.

In the field of Education, she opened schools in almost every provinces of the Empire and devoted considerable resources to fund 5 years free education for all children. She also founded the Imperial University of Cambodia for talented people from all across the nation. IUC was Khmer's first innovation center and quickly became the center of education across the world. In 1162, queen Suryavana introduced a new policy which allowed free medical access to all of those who had less than 5,000 Riel per year.

Because of her caring policies, Queen Suryavana was beloved by most of her subjects. When she died in 1176, she was lied to rest beside her husband in the great temple of Angkor Wat.

Decline

Suryavarman III came to power in 1176 after the death of his mother. He was very unpopular, undoing many achievements his parents did before him. Using the reason of expansion of the military, he increased taxed and executed those who refused or couldn’t pay.

Taking advantage of an unpopular ruler, king Jaya Indravarman IV of the Kingdom of Champa declared freedom from the Empire. In 1177, massive Champa army of 250,000 invaded the Empire using the Mekong River to charge the city of Yasodharapura by surprise. The emperor was killed and the city was plundered and burnt. The stunted and confused Imperial Armed Forces scattered. For the first and only time since it birth, one of the greatest city was stricken with blood and dead bodies of its own people. King Jaya Indravarman IV installed his son, named Vichear Tey, on the throne.

'''The Second Golden Age 1265-1546'''

'''Jayavarman VII (1181-1227)'''

News of the invasion making its way to the western part of the Empire. The surviving soldiers, officers, and Royal Council’s members travelled to the city of Pachempura. They pinned their hope on a young prince, Jayvaton, who at the time commanding the Imperial Armed Forces patrolling the western border of the Empire.

The 30 years old prince marched his troops to the capital. Along the way, his army spread the news and bought many fresh recruiters. The news of a large army amassing in the western part stomped king Jaya Indravarman IV to send hundreds of thousands more troops to protect the city he had just conquered. Prince Jayvaton and his army spent four years before he could took back the city. Pince Vichear Tey fled back to Champa.

In 1181, at the age of 34, Prince Jayvaton was crowned as emperor. He took the name Jayavarman VII. While victory over foreign invader was sweet, the most of the central and eastern part of the empire were destroyed. The new Emperor immediately took on many projects to repair the nation.

One of his legacy was the reform of the Imperial Armed Forces. Officers and commanders would no longer appointed by wealth and power but merit. He introduced for the first time the policy in which family of dead or inability soldiers would be received special care from the government. He also encouraged the innovation and mass produce of military gears. This couldn’t be done in a better time. In 1190, after nine years of rebuilding his army, King Jaya Indravarman IV once again declared war on the Empire. Better prepared, the Imperial Armed Forces repelled the attack and inflicted huge damage on Champa forces. 2 years later in 1192, the Empire strike back by captured Champa’s capital of Vijaya. The kingdom of Champa was consolidated into Khmer Empire as one of her provinces.

Emperor Jayavarman VII expensed the empire control to Dai Viet when his forces took the capital city in 1198. In 1210, he began a campaign in the south against Srivijava Empire and took Makala from them. By this time, the Empire grew so big, and the border was so far from the capital that the emperor canceled the invasion of Sumatra and Java Islands.

Inside the Empire border, Jayavarman VII took many reforms to improve the life of his subjects. The Emperor famously said, my subjects’ illness is mine also. He abolished the old believe that only those from rich houses could serve in the government, and allowed talented people to enter a competition every year for a chance to serve in the Royal government. He also freed those with less than 3,000 Riel a year from taxes. During his reign, Yasodharapura grew and became the largest and most populated city on earth with nearly 2 million residents living in an 1,700 km squared land.

In order to be easily maintain and react to threads throughout the Empire, Jayavarman VII divided the nation into 4 region, Presh Nokor (the central main land), Oudorpura (land of the North), Pachempura (land of the West), and Malaka.

One of the most important reform he made was the improvement of succession rule to insure peace of the Empire after his death. This rule was so effective that it is still in use today.

Jayavarman VII passed away in 1227 after 46 years in power. He had spent his life repaired the Empire from its scare. Many of his works were paving the road for Khmer to become the world superpower, and its effect can still be felled today.

'''Jayavarman VIII (1228-1276)'''

Jayavaraman VIII was the grandson of Jayavarman VII. He became an official heir when his father died before succeeded the throne. Since he was 16 years old, the prince keened on traveling and learning about new places. He had been to India, Sri Langka, Srivijava, and China before he was called back in 1227 when the emperor passed away and crowned emperor a year later. During his trip to Srivijava, the young prince noticed that the strategic location of an island of Borneo could help insured the safe trade route between China and India. In 1231, the emperor commanded the building of city port Singhapura as the base of the Imperial Navy. 3 years later, Khmer landed a quarter of a million troops on the Island of Borneo. For 5 years, the Imperial Armed Forced fought for the control of the island from Srivijava Empire. The war was ended in 1237 when the Imperial Armed Forces successfully cleared the island from enemy. In 1255, Khmer also took control of Luzon Island, renaming it the Island of Buor (Island of the East). By this time, Khmer Empire controlled the sea trade route between the Indian and Pacific Ocean. This made the empire rich with trade from both the East and West. The sea between the islands and main land was renamed the Sea of the Golden Land.

The Imperial Armed Forces also reminded everyone north of the border how powerful it was when it defected Mongolian Army at the siege of Sokour Tey in 1245 and again at Nokorreach Seyma in 1247.

'''The Empire of the Sea'''

After the death of Emperor Jayavarman VIII, Khmer Empire still enjoyed peace and prosperity unlike elsewhere. Since 14th century, Khmer citizens had the highest standard of living than any other nations. Khmer had become the center for education, innovation, research, and finance. In 1398, with the invention of the printing press, Khmer books could be found in procession of Middle East’s scholars.

With Khmer being the center of trade, merchant ships often be targets for sea pirates. Facing the issue, Emperor Intravarman XI ordered the modernization of the Imperial Navy in 1471 to protect all trade routes leading to the Empire. With unlimited funding from the Imperial treasury, the Imperial Navy grew with unprecedented rate. When he passed away in 1482, Khmer naval forces drastically increased from 50 ships to more than 200. Khmer established outpost in strings of islands far out in the Indian Ocean to protect its trade route and projected its power. At the end of the 15th century, the Imperial Navy's battleships could be seen as far as Japan and Northern Europe.

The might of the Imperial Navy had spread Khmer influence and culture far and wise. For a time, Khmer had been seen as a golden land. Countless immigrants sneaked through its border to find a new future inside the Empire. By 1500, the empire housed more than 100 million people, 16 percent of the world's population.

'''The Naga was Sleeping 1546-1583'''

Like the examples of other empires which came before, Khmer eventually grew too rich for its own good. The Imperial Armed Forces had spread out so far to protect trade in the Indian and Pacific and also its immense land border. This had made Khmer Empire an inviting target for its neighbors to North and West. In 1546, Chinese forces was bursting through the Empire northern border. Using the Mekong River, they pushed the Imperial Army far back inland. The once-invincible Imperial Armed Forces were pushed inside their own territory the first time in more than 300 years. To make matter even worst, Mughal Empire declared war on Khmer a year later and attacked from the west. The Imperial Army were outnumbered 3 to 1, and they patrolled large amount of land making them vulnerable to a lighting war. The Navy were so spread out and powerless to help in-land battles. Villages and towns in the northern and western parts of the Empire were destroyed. In 1548, China and Mughal agreed to split Khmer Empire in half after they annihilated the Imperial Armed Forces.

In 1549, the general of the Imperial Armed Forces, Huk, managed to reverse the tide of the war by halted the advanced of Chinese and Indian combined forces just 500 km from the capital city. Although they were fight two enemy at once, Khmer had a large population and more advanced military technologies. These factors combined with large population enabled the Imperial Army to replace their war machines much faster than their enemies. General Huk once said we could replace a battalion of 1,500 men in 3 days while our enemy would took 3 weeks. After another 5 years of bloody fighting, the Imperial Army finally regained their lost land and pushed their enemies out of the border in 1554.

The Indochina-Khmer war took a large toe on Khmer economy. The Imperial Navy had to abandon most of their outposts that were too far and too expensive to maintain. It took 3 decades to rebuild and heal the nation from its wounds.

'''The Age of Discovery 1583-1753'''

The news of the discovery of a new continent reached the empire. With a desire to find new markets and resources, the Emperor Rachatravaraman IX sponsored expeditions to the New World. The Imperial Navy fleets reached the east coast of America in 1609. The colonization project were planned to take place in 1612, but the news from across the border scraped the project before it had even started. China and Mughal Empires had increased the size of their military. Coupling with the risen of European influences in South Asia, the Emperor ultimately canceled the plan to colonize the New World. Instead, he stepped up the present of the Imperial Armed Forces around the Empire as a deterrence force.

'''Khmer the Superpower 1753-1943'''

After the industrial revolution happened in Europe in 1753, Khmer were quickly modernized to catch up with European power. This modernization made the Empire even richer, and far stronger than it neighbors. The Imperial Navy were also modernized with the introduction of steam engine. By the end of the 18th century, Khmer Empire had become the largest economy in the world. While European nations divided the world among themselves, Khmer decided not to establish any colony far from the main land since they couldn't react quickly in too vast a distance.

In 1794, using the reason for historical revenges, the Emperor Jayavarman XIV to invade the Mughal/Indian Empire. For the first time in history, the Imperial Army crossed the Irrawaddy River overwhelming their enemy with sheer number and cutting edge technology. In just one year, the Imperial Army took the city of Arga about 200 km from the capital Delhi. Emperor Shah Alam V of Mughal pursue for peace talk by voluntarily gave the land west of the Irrawaddy River to Khmer, which they named Jayavarmapura (land of Jayavarman).

In 1799, the Imperial Armed Forces invaded the island of Hainan. Ill prepared and poorly train, Chinese forces was quickly defeated. The war continued until 1781 when the city of Zhanjiang fell. Another planned campaign to push further into mainland China was planned to take place shortly after but was ultimately scraped due to the involvement of another superpower, the British. Not want to risk a war with another superpower, Emperor Jayavarman decided instead to establish a diplomatic relation with the British Empire. The island of Hainan and the rest of conquered territory was control by Khmer Empire until the involvement of Japan in World War II.

Throughout the 19th century, Khmer Empire established relationship with many of the western power including the new nation, the United State of America. This and the might of its military help ensured the independent of the Empire. Khmer was the only nation in the southern atmosphere has not been colonized by European powers.

After World War I (1914-1918), Khmer was one of the 3 powers, the US and Japan, untouched by the war. While the dark force rose in Europe and the Great Depression in the US, the Empire continued to enjoy its prosperity. It made the Empire blinded to the thread of another emerging superpower.

In 1932, the Empire of Japan declared war on Khmer after their successful military campaign in China. Japan saw Khmer as the land rich in natural resources and an important trade route to India. Japan hoped to exploit Khmer's resources to fuel their economy and war machines. Japan spent years secretly building their military and especially equipped their navy with 6 super aircraft carrier beside other. On the other hand, the Imperial Armed Forces had never fought a major battle with another nation since 1795. The Imperial Navy had no aircraft carrier nor battleships commission after 1917. Fight broke out along Khmer-Chinese border and at in the Pacific Ocean. In 1935 Japan pushed the Imperial Armed Forces out of the island of Hainan which later in 1944 Chinese forces retook the island. Japanese forces also took the city of Sokour Tey in 1933 and went 100 km south of the city, but they were eventually beaten back into China 15 months later. For a decade, the Empire single-handedly fought against the Japanese until the involvement of the US in 1942. Throughout the remain of World War II, Khmer and the US fought alongside each other as allies against the Japanese.

'''Modern Khmer 1943-Present'''

The United State took the title of the world largest economy from Khmer Empire in 1943. Although they had different political system, the Empire and the US has maintained a close relationship. As it was an absolute monarchy, the Empire wasn't being pushed into the cold war. Khmer continued to repair their nation and at the same time tried to catch with the two superpower. History has taught the Empire that they needed to modernized and maintain a large and powerful military to protect against surprise attack. In 1955, Khmer was among 4 other countries, US, UK, France, and USSR to be a member of the UN Security Council.

After the war, the Emperor Racheatravarman XV began to priority education and scientific research. The Imperial University of Cambodia became one of the oldest and prestigious university in the world. In 1953, Khmer successfully detonated a nuclear bomb. In 1967, it established the Center of Space Exploration and Astronomical Research (CSEAR [si-si-ar]) in respond to NASA and Rocosmos. In 1970, Khmer successfully landed men of the moon just 2 years after the US. In 1998, Khmer was among a handful nations for a joint project to build the International Space Station (ISS).

To further develop the nation, the Emperor Racheatravarman XV allowed the nation to adopt capitalism. In just a decade after the war, Khmer's GDP broke the $1 trillion and continued to grow.

Today Khmer Empire is one of the world leading superpower with a large economy, world leading technology research, large population, and powerful military. They are the dominating force in the world stage and will likely to remain so for a long time to come.

Economy

Despite its political system, Khmer Empire is a capitalistic economy. It is a leading exporter in agricultural products and a second biggest arm-trade just behind the US, which accounting for nearly 10% of the nation GDP. While the country's military industrial complex is among the best in the world, its works in the digital information technology is lacking behind. But it makes up for this with an outstanding work in art and literature. Due to the nation's long and rich history, Khmer art and architect is considered to be one of the most valuable treasures ever created by human hands.

Khmer Empire is an economic power house. It is the second largest economy on Earth and has a GDP that surpass 12 trillion USD and 5% growth rate. If the trend continues, then it will surpass the economy of the United States of America by 2050.

Politics

Government

The Khmer Empire is a hereditary absolute monarchy. The emperor is the supreme ruler of the empire. The Royal family resides in the Imperial Palace of Yasodharapura, in the heart of the city. Many have criticized the Empire for its political system in the modern time. However, citizens of the Empire are happy with the rule due to peace and prosperity they have known for 2000 years. The current emperor is Racheatravarman XVI, crowned in 2003 at the age of 46 years old.

Since its birth, the Khmer Empire followed the system similar to those with absolute monarchy. The Emperor was the head of the Royal Government which in itself consisted of many officers called Montrey. Each officer was responsible for one of many small almost-independent-of-other departments and in charge of recruiting employers to work for them without confirmation from the Emperor. However, the Emperor’s approval was needed to promote someone to the title Montrey. The Emperor held two meeting with all of the officers twice a day in the Royal Palace’s front temple called Chung Presh Reach Rorngrom.

This system was changed and improved by the Emperor Racheatravarman XIV in 1919, by introducing some democracy as the result of World War I. He reorganized the Royal Government which makes of interconnected departments. The head of each department is given the title of Lord.

- Department of Security and National Affairs

- Department of Defend

- Department of Education, Religion, Science, and Technology

- Department of Transportation and Communication

- Department of Foreign Affairs

- Department of Health

- Department of Economy, Finance, and Commerce

- Department of Justice

- Department of Tourism, and Culture Reservations

- Department of Environment, Energy, and Resources Management

- Department of Industry

-  Department of Agriculture

- Department of Social Work and Public Corporations

- Department of Labor

- Department of Intelligent

The Emperor also founded the Royal Senate. There are two houses in the Senate, the House of Lords, and the House of Common. The House of Lords is made up of all 15 head of each departments in the government. The House of Commerce is comprising of 245 representatives elected by the people. Both of the houses are overlooked by the Emperor.

'''Foreign relations'''

Khmer Empire established contact with European power since 12th century when diplomats had been sent to the Byzantine Empire. Since then, the Empire continued to see Europe and the Middle East as an important trade partners. The relationship allowed the flows of ideas, medicine techniques, and technologies into the Empire. This is one of contributing factors that makes the Empire rich and powerful. Despite the cut off during the Indochina-Khmer war, the emperors though out history always strengthen diplomatic relation with European power.

Khmer and the US had almost no partnership before World War II. However, since then, the two countries become allies. The US is the Empire biggest trade partner. Beside economic corporation, the two often conduct military exercises together and work closely with each other in the field of espionage. Khmer has been considered by the US to be a valuable ally in the face of Chinese influence.

The Empire has sort of rocky relationship with its neighbors, especially China over the island of Hainan. The island was taken and held by Khmer from 1799 until 1935 when Japanese forces took over. China claims they have retaken their lost territory from Japan, while Khmer claims the island was already consolidated into their nation and had remained so for more than 100 years.

Demographics

The Khmer Empire has a large populous of 350,109,945 inhabitants. That translates to a density of 129 people per squared kilometer. There are almost no trace of native people on any conquered provinces thank to a policy by the Emperor Intravarman XI to incorporate native people into Khmer culture. 99% of the citizens are Khmer.

Since 1960s, the nation birth rate has been dropping. From 17.1 in 1960 to 7.2 in present day. Overall fertility rate is 1.03 child per women. Life expectancy is 78.

Buddhism is the state religion, but the Empire’s law allowed individual to worship any of their own choosing. Hinduism was Cambodia’s first major religion when it was introduced by the king Korden the First back in the 1st century AD. Buddhism became more dominant when the Emperor Jayavarman VII became the first monarch to convert to Buddhist.

The official language of the nation is Khmer. Originated from the Austroasiatic language family, Khmer language is influence by Sanskrit and Pali languages throughout its 2000 years of evolution. English was introduced as a second language in 1955.

Military

Due to its position, the Khmer Empire controls some of the important trade routes both on land and sea. Because of this, the Empire maintains one of the largest military in the world, comprising of 1.4 million personals. The main strength of their military can be seen their naval power. With 15 nuclear-power aircraft carriers and 55 nuclear-power attack submarine, 5 strategic nuclear deterrence submarines backed up by state-of-the-art cruisers and destroyers, Khmer manages some of the most powerful Navy to date. Khmer also one of the only few nations that processes nuclear weapons. With the large military budget of 650 billion USD, Khmer will obtain the status of the world main superpower for long to come.

Geography

Khmer Empire is located in South-East Asia. The country is 2,714,270 km squared by landmass. It borders the Empire of China to the North, the Mughal Empire to the West, and Indonesia and Philippine to the South.

The Empire is divided into 7 regions.

- Presh Nokor: where capital city is located. This is the most populated region with 72 million people.

- Oudorpura (land of the North): the least populated region with only 10 million people. More than half of the region is conservative forest.

- Pachempura (land of the West): situated between the Salween River and the Irrawaddy River. For a long time, this is the western edge of the Empire until the consolation of Jayavarmapura in 1795. There are currently 53 million people living in the region,

- Jayavarmapura (land of Jayavarman): situated between the Irrawaddy River and Indian border. It is the youngest region in the Empire. 46 million people are living in this region.

- Malaka: is one of two agriculture-rich region of the empire with the population of 67 million people. The region is dotted with the Imperial Navy bases to protect trade in the Indian Ocean. The most important base is located in the city of Singhapura (land of lion) at the Southern edge of the Empire.

- Borneo: is another agriculture-rich region. It is also an important base for the Imperial Nay to protect trade going through the sea of the Golden Land. 60 million people are living on this island and its surrounding.

- Buor: has been nicknamed as the back of a whale due to the frequent of storms and earthquakes in the region. Despite of this, 42 million people are living in the region. It is also used by the Imperial Navy to patrol the Eastern part of the Empire and protect trade in the Pacific Ocean.

The climate is topical, too hot and too humid. Seasons consists of 6 months rain and another 6 months dry. With plenty of rain, the condition is ideal for agriculture.

Culture

'''Religion and Belief'''

From the 1st century AD until 1181, most of the citizens and their emperors were practicing Hinduism. In 1181, the Emperor Jayavarman VII was the first to adopt Buddhism. As of now, 95% of Khmer are Buddhist. Even though Hinduism is no longer existed in the country, traces of it can be found in everyday life and even inside the practice of some Buddhism’s ceremonies.

In the past, the people of Khmer believe that their nation was being looked after by a Naga’s king living under the sea of the Golden land. The tale telling of a story that the Naga’s king dry a huge portion of land which previously being submerge under the sea in which he gave as a present for the people of Khmer on the coronation day of their first king, Korden the First. Archeologists, amazingly, find out that the large portion of land from the city of Chatomok to where the Mekong River meets the sea today used to be covered by sea water.

Architecture

Cuisine

Sport

Music

Dance

Art