Siem
Reap, is a province located in northwestern Cambodia,
on the shores of the Tonle Sap lake. The provincial
capital is also called Siem Reap. The name literally
means Siamese defeated referring to the victory of
the Khmer Empire over the army of the Thai kingdom
of Ayutthaya in the 17th Century. Today it is most
widely known for being the closest city to the ruins
of the temples of Angkor.
Located in northwest Cambodia,
Siem
Reap is the major tourist hub in Cambodia, as
it is the closest city to the temples of Angkor. The
most recognizable of the temples, Angkor Wat, literally
Capital Temple, built by King Suryavarman II the early
12th century provides the largest tourist draw. Recently
the city has seen a great deal of expansion, hundreds
of hotels, restaurants and shops, catering to both
international and Cambodian tourists have opened to
serve the influx of visitors. Also, King Norodom Sihamoni
and the Cambodian royal family maintain a residence
in the town. The Angkor temple complex is north of
the city.
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