Cambodia

Cambodia is the country that built Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument ever constructed. Between the 9th and 15th centuries, the Khmer Empire ruled most of mainland Southeast Asia from a capital that at its peak held over a million people - making it the largest city in the pre-industrial world. The temples they left behind, hundreds of them scattered across the jungle near Siem Reap, are among the most extraordinary architectural achievements in human history. The main temple of Angkor Wat is so central to Cambodian identity that it appears on the national flag - the only country in the world with a building on its flag.

Modern Cambodia carries the weight of one of the 20th century's darkest chapters. The Khmer Rouge regime of 1975-1979 killed an estimated two million people, nearly a quarter of the population, in one of history's worst genocides. Yet Cambodia's recovery has been remarkable. Phnom Penh buzzes with energy, the riverside promenades are packed, and the median age is just 26. The country runs largely on US dollars alongside its own riel, and tourism - driven by those astonishing temples - has become a major economic engine. Cambodians are among the warmest and most resilient people you will meet anywhere, and their smile is genuine, forged in a history that would have broken most nations.