The History of Angkor
Beginning

the Khmer civilisation is conventionally seen as beginning in the seventh century. Constructions were not built in stone. Remains of stone structure of urban complexes and temples date from over the ninth century
Jayavarman II is the first king of great ability because he unified disparate and rival principalities, reinforced a united Cambodia and installed his kingdom capital in Angkor. His reign last 35 years to end in 835. His capital took place near Siem Reap probably because it is near great Tonle Sap lake which has full of fish water and gives the possibility to grow some rice
From this period, all temples are built to tie religion and kingship. Because the main goal is to make one's authority and legitimacy.
The religion was Hindu first, and became progressively Buddhist. Most temples are "Mountain-temples" i.e. it is a symbolic representation of the mythical Meru Mount, earthly representation of gods. The Roofs of the temple is Meru Mount, centre of the world and home of the gods, and rectangular moats represent the cosmic ocean.
Kings generally try to build cities around temples transforming the moats in a vast hydrological network (base of a sophisticated system of water exploitation). Even now, we can see moats and barays around temples

The power of the Khmer Civilisation

The Angkor golden age lasts about six centuries. Several hundred temples prove the treasure, the refinement and the power of this civilisation, which dominated a region including all South-East Asian countries. Even now, the temples of Angkor attract Buddhist and Hindu all over the world
During this Angkor golden age (which last six hundred years), some kings are more outstanding than other. Suryavarman II, built from 1113 the most beautiful and the biggest temple of the Angkor site : Angkor Wat, therefore he worths to put forward. After, Jayavarman VII (1181-1218) was an unrivalled builder because he built numerous temples including the famous Bayon temple in Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm in memories of his mother. He instituted Buddhism as the official religion of the Empire and he has a good reputation because he also built numerous hospitals everywhere in the country

The Angkor decline

The justifications of this decline are not clear. Nevertheless, competition with the powerful Thai kingdom based in Sukhothai seems to contribute to this decline and to explain why the Khmer monarchy left Angkor in 1432 to build a new capital city in Phnom Penh
In spite of the abandonment of Angkor, the Khmer Empire was again powerful. And Angkor continued to be inhabited. But, no more new temple is built. And only one will be never abandoned and will be dealt with some worship, it is Angkor Wat, naturally

International recognition

Western countries discover the Angkor treasures only in the 19th Century when Henri Mouhot, a French naturalist, and the British Royal Geographic Society publicly acclaim the wonders of Angkor
Angkor, UNESCO World Heritage Site, was hard hit by ravages of the war, illicit international art traffic, and is suffering from tourism development. But State organisations and international support help protection of this world wonder