Cambodia Quiz: Angkor, the Mekong and Khmer Culture
This Cambodia quiz explores the Southeast Asian kingdom, from the capital Phnom Penh and its Royal Palace to the Khmer Empire, Angkor Wat and Siem Reap, the faces of the Bayon temple, the Tonlé Sap lake that reverses its flow, the Mekong River, Apsara dance and the national dish fish amok. Ten questions.
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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 90 Seconds
Capital
What is the capital of Cambodia?
Flag
What makes Cambodia's national flag unusual?
History
Which ancient empire built Angkor and ruled much of Southeast Asia from the 9th to 15th centuries?
Temples
Which temple at Angkor is famous for more than 200 giant stone faces?
Lakes
What is unusual about the Tonlé Sap, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake?
Dance
Which classical Cambodian dance, inspired by carvings at Angkor, is recognized by UNESCO?
Food
What is fish amok, Cambodia's national dish?
Gateway
Which town is the main base for visiting the temples of Angkor?
Language
What is the official language of Cambodia?
Currency
Which two currencies are widely used in Cambodia?
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Scroll down to see the explanation for each question.
Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions
- Q1: What is the capital of Cambodia?
Answer: Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh lies where the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers meet. Its Royal Palace has golden roofs and the Silver Pagoda.
- Q2: What makes Cambodia's national flag unusual?
Answer: It shows a building, Angkor Wat
Cambodia is one of very few countries with a building on its flag. Angkor Wat has appeared on it in different forms since the 1850s.
- Q3: Which ancient empire built Angkor and ruled much of Southeast Asia from the 9th to 15th centuries?
Answer: The Khmer Empire
Angkor was one of the largest cities of the preindustrial world, supported by huge reservoirs and canals.
- Q4: Which temple at Angkor is famous for more than 200 giant stone faces?
Answer: The Bayon
The calm, smiling faces are thought to represent King Jayavarman VII or a Buddhist figure. Ta Prohm is famous for trees growing over its ruins.
- Q5: What is unusual about the Tonlé Sap, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake?
Answer: Its river reverses direction each year
During the rainy season, the Mekong pushes water back up the Tonlé Sap River, making the lake grow up to five times larger.
- Q6: Which classical Cambodian dance, inspired by carvings at Angkor, is recognized by UNESCO?
Answer: Apsara dance
Dancers wear golden costumes and move with graceful hand gestures. The art was nearly lost in the 1970s and has been revived.
- Q7: What is fish amok, Cambodia's national dish?
Answer: Fish curry steamed in banana leaves
Amok is flavored with kroeung, a spice paste of lemongrass, galangal and turmeric, and coconut milk.
- Q8: Which town is the main base for visiting the temples of Angkor?
Answer: Siem Reap
Siem Reap has grown into a lively tourist town with markets, restaurants and a famous Pub Street.
- Q9: What is the official language of Cambodia?
Answer: Khmer
Khmer script has one of the longest alphabets in the world. Many young Cambodians also learn English.
- Q10: Which two currencies are widely used in Cambodia?
Answer: The riel and the US dollar
Prices are often given in US dollars, with small change returned in Cambodian riel, since riel coins are rarely used in daily life.
Cambodia Quiz – Kingdom of Wonder
Cambodia is a kingdom in Southeast Asia, bordered by Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, with a coastline on the Gulf of Thailand. It is best known for the temples of Angkor, the remains of one of the world's great ancient civilizations. Beyond the temples, Cambodia offers river life, rice fields, islands and friendly people.
From the 9th to the 15th centuries, the Khmer Empire ruled much of mainland Southeast Asia. Its kings built Angkor, a vast city of temples, palaces and waterworks near today's Siem Reap. Angkor Wat, built in the 12th century, is the largest religious monument in the world and appears on Cambodia's flag. Nearby temples include the Bayon, with its stone faces, and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm.
Cambodia's recent history includes French colonial rule, independence in 1953 and the tragic Khmer Rouge period in the 1970s. Since then, the country has rebuilt, and Phnom Penh, the capital, has grown into a busy city with a Royal Palace, riverside promenades and markets. The country's traditional arts, including Apsara dance, have been carefully revived.
Water shapes life in Cambodia. The Mekong River and the Tonlé Sap lake provide fish and fertile land, and floating villages rise and fall with the seasons. Cambodian food is fragrant and less spicy than that of its neighbors, with dishes like fish amok, lok lak and kuy teav noodle soup. Visitors also enjoy beaches and islands along the southern coast.
This quiz covers the history, temples, nature and culture of Cambodia.
Cambodian life follows the rhythm of the seasons and the Buddhist calendar. Monks in saffron robes collect alms each morning, and pagodas are the heart of village life. The Water Festival in November celebrates the reversal of the Tonlé Sap River with boat races in Phnom Penh. In the countryside, sugar palms, water buffalo and stilt houses surrounded by rice fields are familiar sights.
What This Quiz Teaches
This quiz is perfect for travelers, history fans and temple explorers.
- Cambodia's capital and royal heritage
- The Khmer Empire and the temples of Angkor
- The unusual Tonlé Sap lake
- Traditional Cambodian dance
- Cambodian food and language
- Practical facts such as currency
Quick Facts About Cambodia
- Cambodia's flag is red, blue and white with Angkor Wat in the center.
- Most Cambodians follow Theravada Buddhism.
- Kampot is famous for its pepper.
- The Khmer New Year is celebrated in mid-April.
- Cambodia's coast has many small, quiet islands.
- Angkor Wat faces west, which is unusual for temples of its kind.
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