| Battambang បាត់ដំបង | |
|---|---|
| Province | |
Battambang countryside
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 Map of Cambodia highlighting Battambang Province | |
| Country |  Cambodia |
| Capital | Battambang |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Chan Sophal (CPP) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 11,702.0 km2(4,518.2 sq mi) |
| Area rank | Ranked 5th |
| Population (2008) | |
| • Total | 1,036,523 |
| • Rank | Ranked 4th |
| • Density | 89/km2 (230/sq mi) |
| • Density rank | Ranked 12th |
Battambang (Khmer: បាត់ដំបង, IPA: [ˌɓat ɗɑm ˈɓɑːŋ], "Loss of Staff") is a province (khaet) of Cambodia located in the far northwest. 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, Tonle Sap forms part of the northeastern boundary between Siem Reap and Pursat. Its capital and largest city is Battambang.
With a population of 1,036,523, it ranks as the fourth most populous province. In land area, Battambang is the fifth largest province of Cambodia. Battambang is one of the provinces included in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. 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[
Battambang literally means "Loss of Staff" in Khmer, referring to the local legend of Preah Bat Dambang Kranhoung. Stone inscriptions discovered from pre-Angkorian and Angkorian eras have as yet not mentioned 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.
Administrative divisions
Battambang is subdivided into 14 districts (srok=Khmer: ស្រុក), which are further subdivided into 96 subdistricts (khum=Khmer:ឃុំ) and 799 villages (phum=Khmer: ភូមិ).
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Local government entities within the province are the two towns, and 12 subdistrict municipalities
Attractions
Religious Sites
Wat Ek Phnom
- Wat Ek Phnom (Khmer: វត្តឯកភ្នំ) an atmospheric, partly collapsed, 11th-century temple situated 11 km north of Battambang, measures 52m by 49m and is surrounded by the remains of a laterite wall and an ancient baray (reservoir). A lintel showing the Churning of the Ocean of Milk can be seen above the east entrance to the central temple, whose upper flanks hold some fine bas-reliefs. Construction of the giant Buddha statue next door has been stopped by the government because, they say, it mars the site’s timeless beauty. This is a very popular picnic and pilgrimage destination for Khmers at festival times.
Wat Banan
- Wat Banan (Khmer: វត្តបាណន់) located some 25 km south of Battambong City is like a smaller version of the rather more illustrious Angkor Wat. Built in the 10th century, it is very popular at weekends with Khmer families out on picnics.
Transportation
The only way to reach Battambang is by bus or private taxi. Both the airport and railway line are not in use. Buses make the trip from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap almost hourly. It is a 5-6 hour bus ride from Phnom Penh and a 3-4 hour bus ride from Siem Reap.
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