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Cambodia, Kampuchea and back

Cambodia and Kampuchea are the same name, both from Kambuja, the kingdom that built Angkor. But between 1970 and 1993 the country’s official name changed five times, from the Khmer Republic of 1970 to the restored Kingdom of Cambodia of 1993, each change marking a new regime.

Written from cited sourcesLast checked 13 October 2026Suggest a correction

  1. Kambujathe Angkor kingdom, 9th–15th centuries
  2. Kingdom of Cambodiaindependent 1953–1970
  3. Khmer Republic1970–1975
  4. Democratic Kampuchea1976–1979
  5. People’s Republic of Kampuchea1979–1989
  6. State of Cambodia1989–1993
  7. Kingdom of Cambodia1993–

One word, two spellings

From the early 9th to the mid-15th century the kingdom centred on Angkor was known as Kambuja, originally the name of an early north Indian state. Both Cambodia and Kampuchea come from it.[2] The historian David Chandler traces both to “Kambuja”, a Sanskrit word thought first to have named a north Indian people, so choosing one spelling over the other, the Library of Congress noted, carries no ideological meaning in itself.[1]

Between 1970 and 1993, though, each new government brought a new official name.[3][5][1][6]

A republic and a revolution

Cambodia won independence from France in 1953 as a kingdom, with Norodom Sihanouk at its centre.[6] In March 1970 he was overthrown by General Lon Nol and other right-wing leaders, who seven months later abolished the monarchy and set up the Khmer Republic.[3]

The Khmer Rouge took Phnom Penh in April 1975. At first they ruled behind a front government that Sihanouk headed in exile; on 5 January 1976 they proclaimed the Constitution of Democratic Kampuchea.[3][4] Under their rule an estimated 1.5 million to 3 million people died.[8]

Two Kampucheas

Vietnam invaded on 25 December 1978 and took Phnom Penh on 7 January 1979. On 10 January a new ruling council headed by Heng Samrin, installed by Vietnam, proclaimed the country’s official name to be the People’s Republic of Kampuchea.[5][9] For years the UN kept recognising the other side: the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea, an alliance of the Khmer Rouge with groups led by Sihanouk and Son Sann, held the country’s seat.[9]

Back to Cambodia

In April 1989 the prime minister, Hun Sen, announced that the country was now the State of Cambodia.[1] After a UN-sponsored peace settlement in 1991 and multiparty elections in 1993,[8] the National Assembly restored the monarchy in September 1993 and Sihanouk became king again.[6] The 1993 constitution is that of the Kingdom of Cambodia: “Cambodia is a Kingdom in which the King shall rule according to the Constitution.”[7]

Timeline

  1. 800s–1400s

    Kambuja

    The Angkor kingdom gives the country its name.[2]

  2. 1953

    Independence

    Cambodia becomes independent from France as a kingdom.[6]

  3. 19709 October 1970

    Khmer Republic

    Lon Nol’s government abolishes the monarchy.[3][5]

  4. 19765 January 1976

    Democratic Kampuchea

    The Khmer Rouge proclaim their constitution.[4]

  5. 197910 January 1979

    People’s Republic of Kampuchea

    The government installed by Vietnam proclaims the new name.[5][9]

  6. 1989

    State of Cambodia

    Hun Sen announces the name change in April.[1]

  7. 1993

    Kingdom of Cambodia

    The monarchy is restored and Sihanouk is king again.[6]

Sources

  1. [1]
    Cambodia: Preface · Library of Congress, Country Studies (via countrystudies.us) · 1987
  2. [2]
    Cambodia: The Angkorian Period · Library of Congress, Country Studies (via countrystudies.us) · 1987
  3. [3]
    Cambodia: Historical Setting · Library of Congress, Country Studies (via countrystudies.us) · 1987
  4. [4]
    Cambodia: Establishing Democratic Kampuchea · Library of Congress, Country Studies (via countrystudies.us) · 1987
  5. [5]
    Cambodia: Major Political Developments, 1977–81 · Library of Congress, Country Studies (via countrystudies.us) · 1987
  6. [6]
    Norodom Sihanouk · Encyclopaedia Britannica
  7. [7]
  8. [8]
    Khmer Rouge · Encyclopaedia Britannica
  9. [9]
    Cambodia: Government and Politics · Library of Congress, Country Studies (via countrystudies.us) · 1987

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