A predominately Buddhist country, Cambodia has a population of over 15 million people. Cambodians consider themselves to be descendents of the ancient Khmer Empire, a powerful kingdom that dominated Asia during the middle ages.

The geography of Cambodia is shaped by the Mekong River. The country is hot and humid during the dry season with tropical monsoons during the rainy season. Cambodia has a lot to offer to the traveller. One of the main attractions in Cambodia is Angkor Wat. These 800 year old temples in Siem Reap are a wonderful sight and well worth a visit. Siem Reap is also a great destination for volunteering so you can combine your volunteer work with great sightseeing!

Known as the Pearl of Asia, Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia and the main destination for gap year programs. The city has a great mixture of Khmer and French architecture. Phnom Penh is the main destination for gapyear trips and is a great city to be in whilst having a year out.

Volunteer Holidays are the main year out opportunities in Cambodia. This can be in Phnom Pen, Siem Reap or in the countryside. The volunteering opportunities in Cambodia on offer range from teaching English in orphanages and caring for street children, to backpacker tours.

The literacy rate in Cambodia according to UNESCO is below 70 per cent, making it among the bottom 50 countries in the world for education. With renewed political stability since 1998, the country is starting to develop. Recently English has become the official second language in Cambodia which means that English volunteers are in high demand.

Taking a Gap year in Cambodia will offer you the unique opportunity to witness all of the culture and scenery in a much more meaningful way. Also it will give you the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the unfortunate ones. Living below the poverty line and plagued by disaster the people of Cambodia are remarkably very friendly and welcoming to foreigners.

Torn apart by civil war and living beneath the world poverty line, Cambodia is a place in need of aid. A Cambodian gap project is far more than just a volunteer holiday, it is a chance to make a difference to the lives of many children, young people and adults in communities and rural settings.

Cambodia has a lot to offer for a gap year experience so better go now before it becomes too crowded!