Kandal Province

Kandal province is located in the middle south of Cambodia and covers 3,568km2. It borders Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Cham, Prey Veng, Kampong Speu and Takeo. Kandal is one of the smaller provinces and completely surrounds, but does not include, Phnom Penh. Its capital, Takhmau (lit. Black Grandfather), is around 20km south of Phnom Penh. Kandal serves as an economic belt to Phnom Penh of the capital with many of Cambodia’s garment factories there. Other export industries in Kandal include palm oil, peanuts, rice and pepper. The province is renowned for its with one of its major attractions beings Odong, the former capital of Cambodia between 1618 and 1866. A number of kings, including King Norodom, were crowned there. Kandal is a typical wet plain covered with countless rice fields and other plantations. The average altitude of the province is around 10m above sea level. The province features two of the largest rivers in Cambodia, the Tonle Bassac and the mighty Mekong.