Angkor - Definition and Overview

The Bayon temple at Angkor

Angkor is the ancient capital of the Khmer empire (history) which thrived from the 9th century to 15th century CE. Its ruins are located in forests to the north of the Great Lake (Tonle Sap), near present day Siem Reap, Cambodia, and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The area is made up of several significant archaeological sites, including:

• Angkor Thom
  • Bayon
  • Terrace of the Elephants
• Angkor Wat
• Baksei Chamkrong
• Banteay Kdei
• Banteay Samre
• Banteay Srei
• Baphuon
• Chau Say Tevoda
• Krol Ko
• Neak Pean
• Phimeanakas
• Phnom Bakheng
• Phnom Krom
• Preah Khan
• Preah Ko
• Preah Rup
• Spean Thma
• Ta Prohm
• Ta Som
• Ta Keo
• Thommanon

Although most of the area was only recently reclaimed from the jungle, the temple of Angkor Wat has been maintained continuously by Buddhist monks for hundreds of years.

2001 saw the release of the movie Tomb Raider, filmed on location at various Angkor sites.

External Links

• The New Tomb Raiders (http://members.ozemail.com.au/%7Erodeime/cambodia/) Article discussing the rising pressure from tourism by Roderick Eime

See also: Architecture of Cambodia, Cambodia, Khmer Empire.