Chapter 12

Located in what is now Cambodia, the Khmer empire was the main power on the mainland of Southeast Asia. They conquered neighboring empires and made a large empire in the 800's. They reached their peak around 1200 AD. They created complex and advanced irrigation systems, which allowed them to harvest up to 4 rice crops a year (below), compared to the one the area was used to. In Angkor, the capital, they build large complexes. The largest, called Angkor Wat (right), is a hindu complex which covers almost a square mile and is used to worship the god Vishnu, and was used as an observatory. (McDougal Littell: Ancient World History)