Battambang province

Province of Cambodia

Province in Cambodia

Battambang

បាត់ដំបង

Province

Battambang Province
ខេត្តបាត់ដំបង

From top: Phnom Sampov, Wat Banan, Wat Sangkae, Kamping Puoy Lake

Seal

Map of Cambodia highlighting Battambang province

Country|  Cambodia
Siamese administration| 1795–1907
Provincial status| 6 December 1907
Capital| Battambang
Subdivisions| 1 municipality; 13 districts
Government

• Governor| Sok Lou (CPP)
• National Assembly|

8 / 125

Area

• Total| 11,702 km2 (4,518 sq mi)
• Rank| 5th
Population

(2019)[1]

• Total|  997,169
• Rank| 5th
• Density| 85/km2 (220/sq mi)
• Rank| 16th
Time zone| UTC+07:00 (ICT)
ISO 3166 code| KH-2
Website| www.battambang.gov.kh
Battambang Province

Khmer name
Khmer| បាត់ដំបង

* * *

UNGEGN: Khétt Bătdâmbâng
ALA-LC: Khett Pâtṭaṃpang
IPA: [kʰaet ɓatɗɑmɓɑːŋ]

This article contains Khmer text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Khmer script.

Battambang (Khmer: បាត់ដំបង, Bătdâmbâng [ɓatɗɑmɓɑːŋ]; "Lost Stick") is a province of Cambodia in the far northwest of the country. Bordering provinces are Banteay Meanchey to the north, Pursat to the east and south, Siem Reap to the northeast, and Pailin to the west. The northern and southern extremes of the province's western boundaries form part of the international border with Thailand. In addition, Tonlé Sap forms part of the northeastern boundary between Siem Reap and Pursat. Its capital and largest city is Battambang.

It is the fifth most populous province in Cambodia.[1] In land area, Battambang is the fifth largest province of Cambodia. Battambang is one of the provinces included in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve.[2] The province's fertile rice fields have led to a mostly agricultural economy giving rise to the moniker "the rice bowl of Cambodia". The province features a range of cultures as well as natural resources. Seventy five percent of the area is jungles and mountains. The area has a tropical climate.

## Etymology[edit]

Statue of Ta Dambong

Battambang literally means 'loss of staff or stick' in Khmer, referring to the local legend of Preah Bat Dambang Kranhoung. No stone inscriptions from the pre-Angkorian and Angkorian eras have yet been discovered containing mention of any contemporary villages or districts called "Battambang", but according to the document Mohachun Khmer, Srok Battambang (Battambang District) was used during the Angkor and post-Angkor eras. In Thai, the province is called Phra Tabong.

## History[edit]

Battambang was annexed by both Siam and Cambodia from time to time because its location is in between both kingdoms. A majority of the local population is of Khonpor or Chong ethnicity, a part of the Austro-Asiatic family.[citation needed]

In 1769, Battambang and Siem Reap were conquered by King Taksin of Siam. On March 23, 1907, Battambang, with Siem Reap and Koh Kong, were annexed to French Indochina. During World War II it was annexed to Imperial Japan before being handed over to Thailand. After the war ended, it was returned to an independent Cambodia.

## Administrative divisions[edit]

Battambang is divided into 13 districts and one municipality which are further subdivided into 92 communes (Khmer: ឃុំ, khum), 10 quarters (Khmer: សង្កាត់) and 810 villages (Khmer: ភូមិ, phum).

ISO
code  | Name  | Khmer | Population (2019)[3] | Subdivisions

|
|
|
|

— Municipality —
02-03  | Battambang | បាត់ដំបង | 119,251  | 10 sangkat
— District —
02-01  | Banan | បាណន់ | 86,486  | 8 khum
02-02  | Thma Koul | ថ្មគោល | 105,982  | 10 khum
02-04  | Bavel | បវេល | 92,306  | 6 khum
02-05  | Aek Phnom | ឯកភ្នំ | 71,120  | 7 khum
02-06  | Moung Ruessei | មោងឫស្សី | 103,841  | 9 khum
02-07  | Rotanak Mondol | រតនមណ្ឌល | 38,848  | 4 khum
02-08  | Sangkae | សង្កែ | 111,118  | 10 khum
02-09  | Samlout | សំឡូត | 43,715  | 7 khum
02-10  | Sampov Loun | សំពៅលូន | 37,323  | 6 khum
02-11  | Phnum Proek | ភ្នំព្រឹក | 44,741  | 5 khum
02-12  | Kamrieng | កំរៀង | 53,076  | 6 khum
02-13  | Koas Krala | គាស់ក្រឡ | 30,192  | 6 khum
02-14  | Rukhak Kiri | រុក្ខគិរី | 42,329  | 5 khum

Local government entities within the province include the two towns and 12 subdistrict municipalities.

### Religion[edit]

Religion in Battambang (2019 census)[4]

Buddhism (98.3%)

Islam (1.4%)

Christianity (0.3%)

Animism and Other religions (0%)

The state religion is Theravada Buddhism. More than 98.3% of the people in Battambang are Buddhists. Chams have been practicing Islam for hundreds of years. A small percentage follow Christianity.

## Historical sites[edit]

Wat Ek Phnom

### Wat Ek Phnom[edit]

Wat Ek Phnom (Khmer: វត្តឯកភ្នំ) is a partly collapsed 11th century temple 11 km north of Battambang city. The temple measures 52 m by 49 m and is surrounded by the remains of a laterite wall and an ancient baray (reservoir). A lintel depicting the Churning of the Ocean of Milk is above the east entrance to the central temple, the upper flanks of which hold some finely carved bas-reliefs. Construction of an oversized Buddha statue began by locals next to the temple has been stopped by the government because, they say, it mars the site's historical provenance and "timeless beauty".[5]

### Wat Banan[edit]

Wat Banan (Khmer: ភ្នំបាណន់), some 25 km south of Battambang city, has been likened to a smaller version of the more imposing Angkor Wat. The 11th century Angkorian mountain ruin of Phnom Banan is one of the best preserved Angkorian Khmer temples around Battambang province. As you approach you will see the distance five tower pointing skyward, Like a small version of Angkor Wat. At the base of the mountain you can faced with a step laterite staircase flanked by nagas. After climbing the 350+ steps you are treated to a wonderfully peaceful setting.

## Transportation[edit]

Battambang is accessible by road, and by boat via the Sangkae River. National Highway 5 runs straight through the province. Both the airport and railway line are not in use. Buses make 5-6 hour journey from Phnom Penh and the 3-4 hour journey from Siem Reap almost hourly.

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "General Population Census of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2019 – Final Results" (PDF). National Institute of Statistics. Ministry of Planning. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
2. ^ "tsbr-ed.org". www.tsbr-ed.org. Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
3. ^ http://nis.gov.kh/nis/Census2019/Final General Population Census 2019-English.pdf[bare URL PDF]
4. ^ "Final General Population Census 2019-English.pdf" (PDF). National Institute of Statistics Ministry of planning. October 2020.
5. ^ Wat Ek Phnom at Lonely Planet Archived March 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine

## External links[edit]

* Battambang - The Rice Bowl of Cambodia (Official Website of the Provincial Town Battambang on www.battambang-town.gov.kh) (in Khmer and English)
* Battambang Provincial Resources
* Beyond Angkor: Historical Sites in Battambang Province \- Unique Graphical Interactive Maps

Places adjacent to Battambang province

|  Sa Kaeo province | Banteay Meanchey province | Siem Reap province, Tonlé Sap

|
|

|  |
Pailin province
Chanthaburi province, Thailand |

Battambang

| Siem Reap province
|  |
Trat province, Thailand | Pursat province | Pursat province

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