Siem Reap (), is a province located in northwestern Cambodia, on the shores of the Tonle Sap lake. The provincial capital is Siem Reap town. The name literally means
"Siam Defeated", a reminder of the centuries old conflict between the Siamese and the Khmer. The province came under the control of the Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya and was later returned to Cambodia in 1907 after French gunboat diplomacy pressured Thai concession of the area. This area became part of a disputed territory between France and Siam(now Thailand) which led to the Franco-Thai War in 1941, resulting in victory for Thailand and a return back to Thai control. The province again reverted to Cambodia in 1946, after the end of WW2 and French diplomatic pressure. Today it is best known for the ruined temples of Angkor.

Overview

thumb|left|248px|Statues on the bridge leading to Victory Gate, Siem Reap, Cambodia (January 2005).
Located in northwest Cambodia, Siem Reap is a major tourist hub in Cambodia. The most recognizable of the temples, Angkor Wat, literally Capital Temple, was built by King Suryavarman II during the early 12th century. Recently the city has seen a great deal of expansion; hundreds of hotels, restaurants and shops, catering to both international and Cambodian tourists have opened to serve the influx of visitors. Also, King Norodom Sihamoni and the Cambodian royal family maintain a residence in the town. The Angkor temple complex is north of the city. thumb|250px|right| Siem Reap
Other sites of interest near Siem Reap include Angkor Thom built by Jayavarman VII, Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm, as well as hundreds of other temple ruins. Angkor, and the surrounding area that would later become known as Siem Reap, faced repeated invasions from the Thais, and ceased to be the capital after a seven-month siege in 1431. The capital was moved to Phnom Penh in 1432, and then to Lovek and Oudong, before moving back to Phnom Penh in 1866. The temple ruins were visited by Western explorers and missionaries before the 19th century, but Henri Mouhot is generally seen as having "discovered" Angkor Wat in 1860.

Subdivisions

The province is subdivided into 12 districts, 100 communes and 907 villageshttp://www.cambodia.gov.kh/unisql1/egov/english/province/siem_reap.html.