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Cambodia is called by Westerners derived from French term "Cambodge". But for Cambodian themselves have called their country Kampuchea. Kampuchea has its original root of word from hermit "Kambu" who married with Mera ( ancient inscription). Kambu and Mera have become the ancestor of mordern Kampuchean. Through the legend, Kambu is claimed as the son of Sun; and Mera is claimed as the daughter of Moon. Pre-angkorean inscription had proclaimed the clan of Cambodia came from the harmony of Sun and Moon.

Khmer is the name of their language and race. Among ancient tribes in this land, Khmer tribe was strongest and flexible. Their first kingdom was adopted at the mountain that China's traders called "Kingdom of Funan". Funan is wrong pronounced by Chiness because its correct pronounciation is Phnom means mountain in Khmer language.

However, Khmer were not mountainious people. They had their own development of civilization; and they were very genious to adopt other culture or invent it to be their own identity. As Kampuchea country extents in the line between two giant world civilizations: China and India; they had tremendously combined and adjusted them to be uniquely Khmer culture.

The first capital city of Khmer people was Angkor Borei located in Oc Eo in modern Takeo province of Kampuchea Krom. This place is significantly the begining of Khmer civilization. It is the ancient port which Chiness and Indian traders came to exchange their products. They had to pay tax to Khmer people. Khmer people learned to develope their country in both social infrustructure and education system very fast from them. Through this smart adoptation that Cambodia has become one of the greatest kingdoms of the world.