Takéo Province

Infobox Cambodian Province
name = Takéo
khmer = ខេត្តតាកែវ
area = 3,563
population = 790,168
population_as_of = 1998
districts= 10
communes= 100
villages = 1117
density = 221.8
isocode = KH-21
map

Takéo is a province of Cambodia. Its capital is Takéo. Takeo town is an easygoing place that possesses a fair amount of natural and manmade beauty. The natural beauty is in the Scenic River and lake area that faces a pleasant town parkway. The low-lying area seems to include much of the surrounding province area, which is probably why a kingdom that once had its heart here was referred to as Water Chenla. There seems to be water everywhere in the surrounding countryside during the rainy season.

Overview

The man-made beauty of Takéo Province originates from a series of canals and waterways that were cut through the surrounding countryside a very long time ago, connecting towns, villages, and rivers to Vietnam. Nearby Angkor Borei town (connected by water to Takeo town) may have been the heart of the Funan Empire, which is called the "Cradle of Khmer Civilization" by Cambodians. Much older than Angkor, the Funan empire had its heyday between the 1st and 6th centuries and stretched across a vast area, from South Vietnam through Thailand, down through Malaysia and into Indonesia. Gold, silver and silks were traded in abundance in the kingdom, or, as some say, the series of fiefdoms.

Although Cambodians claim Funan was created by Khmers, neighboring Vietnam argues that they were the people of origin. Archeologists from the University of Hawii in the USA have made research trips to Angkor Borei in an attempt to piece together the history and story, as well as relics, of the Funan period. In an odd recent twist, Reuters News Service reported in early November 1999 that locals saw the research team digging up ancient relics and figured the stuff must be valuable, so they started digging and looting objects from the area. Fortunately, the Cambodian government seems to be moving in on the problem quickly to try to save what they can of this important piece of Khmer heritage.

This was not the first time that locals have created problems in the piecing together of ancient history. Much of what did remain in the form of ancient ruins in Angkor Borei was destroyed not too long ago in the modern past. The officials that run the museum that's dedicated to the history of the Funan empire told me that much of what was still standing from this period (from parts of ancient walls to partial structures) was thought to be useless by locals and was bulldozed and razed to make way for more "useful" modern day structures! Talk about having a bad track record. Fortunately artifacts and history have been put together in the museum. Takeo Province is full of other interesting sights as well and because of the short distance and good road from Phnom Penh, all are great day trips. Some sights can be combined in a day trip. If you have a bit more time, spend an evening in Takeo town and take in all the sights. There is a pleasant little place to stay overlooking the river and lake area.

People

* Ta Mok - senior figure in the Khmer Rouge

Administration

The province is subdivided into 10 districts, 100 communes and 1117 villages [ [http://www.stats.nis.gov.kh/areaname/dist_pro21.htm The National Institute of Statistics (NIS) of Cambodia] ] [ [http://www.cambodia.gov.kh/unisql1/egov/english/province/takeo.html Statistics of the Cambodian Government] ] .

See also

* Transport in Cambodia

References

* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/CB/19/Takev.html FallingRain Map - railways are red dots - elevation = 0 m]

TakeoProvince