- published: 29 Mar 2015
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Battambang (Khmer: បាត់ដំបង, IPA: [ˌɓat dɑm 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".
Battambang (IPA: [ɓat ɗɔmɓɔːŋ]) 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.
Battambang (Khmer: ក្រុងបាត់ដំបង) is the capital city of Battambang province in northwestern Cambodia.
Founded in the 11th century by the Khmer Empire, Battambang is well known for being the leading rice-producing province of the country. For over 500 years, it was the main commercial hub of Siam's Eastern Provinces, though it was always populated by Khmer with a mix of ethnic Vietnamese, Lao, Thai and Chinese. Still today Battambang is the main hub of the Northwest connecting the entire region with Phnom Penh and Thailand, and as such it’s a vital link to Cambodia.
The city is situated by the Sangkae River, a tranquil, small body of water that winds its way through Battambang Province providing its nice picturesque setting. As with much of Cambodia, the French Colonial architecture is an attractive bonus of the city. It is home to some of the best-preserved, French colonial architecture in the country.
Battambang was established as an important trading city with around 2,500 residents in the 18th century. They lived mostly along a single road parallel to the Sangkae River (Stung Sangkae). In 1795 Thailand annexed much of northwestern Cambodia including the provinces of Battambang and Siem Reap. The Abhaiwongse family rule Battambang for six generations which lasted until 1907 when the province was ceded to the French to be part of their Indochina colony.