Battambang Province

Overview

Above: Ta Krajoong (Grandpa Krajoong).

Battambang is a large and important province in the northwest of Cambodia. Its name literally translates as “the lost long stick” legend. Along with various local legends beautiful countryside, hills and many Angkorian temples, it is regarded as a vital agricultural area.


Originally, during the Angkor period, the area was split in to many territories, namely Amogha Boreak and Bhima Boreak. Throughout this period, the region prospered due to the hospitable environment for growing fruit, vegetables, and other produce. In the 15th century however, when the Siamese army began to invade the regions to the northwest, the provinces’ locals were driven out of their homes, and land was confiscated. Three centuries later, until the 20th century, Battambang was under the rule of the Siamese. At the start of the 1900’s however, descendants of the people who once occupied the region demanded that land, which had been previously confiscated, should be returned to the rightful owners. These claims were based on the French Siamese Treaty of 1907. Indeed, the land was returned, and in the same year, the entire province was split in to three separate provinces, namely Battambang, Siem Reap, and Serei Sophorn. The areas then underwent a number of further alterations, both in geographical and textual terms, until the 1940’s. At this time, the province of Battambang was made up of 7 separate districts. In the following 40 years, the province underwent an excruciating ordeal of killings, torture, and other human rights abuses. This period is now referred to as the period of the Killing Fields. The last stronghold of the Khmer Rouge was in Battambang. Finally in 1979, genocide was halted in the region, and the historic first election in the area was held in 1993.

Geography

Battambang is located in the northwestern region of Cambodia. It is bordered by the Tonle Sap Lake in the east, Pursat province to the southeast, Thailand and Pailin province in the west and Banteay Meanchey to the north. Battambang covers an area of 4900 sq. mi. 664 sq. mi. is towns and villages, 1021 sq. mi. is agricultural land and 1840 sq mi. is forest. The rest is flooded land. As it stands today, the province has 13 districts. About 70% of the people are farmers. Its capital, Battambag, is Cambodia’s second largest city. It is the main highway and rail crossroads connecting Phnom Penh with Thailand. It is about 181 miles (291km) from Phnom Penh. National Highway Route 5 and train are ways to get to Battambang from Phnom. Boat and air travel are also available to and from Siem Reap. The Cardamom Mountains, with rainforests, wildlife refuges, and environmentally protected areas, spread into the southwest corner of Battambang province from neighboring Pursat province.