Phnom Penh General information Before civil war broke out, Phnom Penh was nicknamed ‘The Pearl of Asia’ as it was considered one of the finest cities in the region. Located at the junction of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers, Phnom Penh has been Cambodia’s capital for most of the last six centuries. Having recovered from the dark legacy of the Pol Pot era in the 1970s, Phnom Penh today is a vibrant economic center with a population of two million. The riverfront is lined with cafes, restaurants and hotels, while boutique shops and art galleries sprout along smaller side streets. Even as it undergoes urban development, Phnom Penh has retained much of its old-world charm as evident in the French colonial architecture and traditional ornate temples. Rich in history, the city offers a number of cultural and historical sites including the National Museum, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. To truly understand the country’s recent history and the people’s mindset, a visit to the Tuol Sleng Prison is a must. Weather Summary The climate is tropical; the summers are much rainier than the winters. The hottest month of the year is April with average temperatures of 29.6°C (85.3°F) and the lowest average temperature of the year is 26°C (78.8°F), occurring in December. Phnom Penh has an average annual temperature is 27.7°C (81.9°F) and an average rainfall of 1371 mm. January sees the least rain with an average of 6 mm of rainfall; in October the most rainfall occurs with an average of 161 mm.