The Tonlé Sap is one of the biggest lakes in the world,
which has been declared « biosphere reserve » by UNESCO.
It was, very long time ago, a sea gulf. Located in the
centre of Cambodia, at about 15 kms south of Siemreap, it
includes a worldwide unique ecosystem of floated forest, as
well by its surface than by its functioning. During the
rainy season, from July on, the Mekong discharges its waters
into this huge lake which then covers up to 7500 sq km.
To the contrary, during the dry season, from November on,
the flow of water reverses and the Tonlé Sap empties itself
into the Mekong to the point to reduce to 3000 sq km.
Between high « tide » and low « tide », the difference of
water level ranges between 7 to 8 meters !
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In the history, the Tonlé Sap and the Mekong have had a very
important role at different times :
• Many thousand years ago, there were the way used by the
first inhabitants to reach the fertile regions of Siemreap
and Battambang,.
• In 1176, a float full of Chams and Khmers sailed up the
Tonlé Sap and invaded Angkor chasing out the usurper ruler,
who usurped the Khmer throne in 1185. This episode could
have marked the end of Angkor but fortunately a prince did
succeed to chase out the Chams and their backers after a 4
years war. Under the name of Jayavarman VII this prince
became one of the major king of Angkor in 1181. |
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