Khmer (800s-1200s)

 

This empire took place in what is now Cambodia and was for centuries the main power on the Asian mainland. The climate was warm, humid tropics with monsoon winds that brought in heavy seasonal rains. Between the valleys rise hill and mountains making travel and communication difficult and the key to political power is control of trade routes and harbors. Extensive city and temple complexes were built. One of these was called the Angkor Wat and it is one of the world’s greatest architectural achievements and brings a lot of tourism which helps the economy because people buy souvenirs and stay in hotels and spend money to get tours of the building and eat out at restaurants. There was also an observatory built and this helped the education system because it probably led to discoveries. A dynasty from the Khmer empire called the Saliendra left behind the Buddhist temple Borobudar and this helped increase tourism and is proof of Chinese influences on the culture and since they had Chinese influences that implies that the Khmer and the Chinese empires traded. The Saliendra also ruled an agricultural kingdom on the island of java and this helped feed the people and gave them jobs because farmers are needed.