Page 3 - HISTORY ANGKOR

F R O M T H E E D I T O R

Covering more than 150 square miles, the Angkor complex

in Cambodia is breathtaking to behold—from the sacred spaces of its

temples to the engineering marvels of its waterways. Prior to the COVID-19
pandemic, Angkor was one of Cambodia’s leading tourist attractions,

annually bringing millions of visitors to the province of Siem Reap.

With Angkor’s popularity came problems: threats to the water supply,

increased pollution, and deforestation. Angkor is beloved by the world, but

the world is also harming it.

Visiting Angkor and other historical treasures—like Machu Picchu, Venice,

the Taj Mahal—is easier than ever. Local economies boom from tourism,

and visitors are able to connect to different peoples of the world as well as

to the past. These experiences are precious, but we must be careful not to
love them to death.

Amy Briggs, Executive Editor

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HISTORY 1