The western public discovered Angkor Temple in 1863 through narrative and sketches of French naturalists, Henri Mouhot. However, Portuguese adventures followed by French missionaries such as Father Bouillevaux had already been to the site of the fortune capital as early as the 16th century.
Angkor Temple located in Siem Ream province is presently the site of tourism industry without smoke for both local and international tourists. 2005 International tourists go up to 1.4 millions visitors. Until to the end of 2007, there will be 97 hotels and 8,632 rooms in Siem Reap.
Meanwhile, foreign experts and government officials expressed their deep concerns about the increase of hotels and guesthouses, which utilize well water. It is expected it will affect the splendid temples in the future because of collapse of earth. According to UNESCO’s study, many water sources will be from rainwater, river and mountain. By the way, Angkor temples are suffering from the sound of airplane, flying over it.
I personally don’t believe the French naturalists, Henri Mouhot, discovered Angkor. Well, Angkor complex is huge and villagers were believed to live around the area since long without replacement. No wonder Angkor were left behind and Cambodians villagers never knew existing a huge temple.
He did discover Angkor for the world. Without him and others, it would take another 100 years! Thanks to Henri Mouhot, our Angkor is still well-known and shinning until today.