Cambodia is an independent nation in Southeast Asia bordered by Viet Nam, Laos and Thailand. It was governed for roughly 100 years by the French until 1954. From 1954 until 1965 Cambodia enjoyed peace and a relatively strong economy. With the escalation of the war in Viet Nam the political situation in Cambodia deteriorated and civil war broke out during the late sixties and seventies. In 1975 the Khmer Rouge, an extremist, communist group, took over the nation. As a result over 2 million people were killed. Since 1991 the Cambodian people have been trying to rebuild the country with an elected coalition government of communists and democrats. Today many people predict more war.

Let's begin the journey with John D'Amicantonio
jdamican@csulb.edu