The Khmer Empire built the city of Angkor, whose temple complex includes Angkor Wat.
Angkor served as the capital region of the Khmer Empire in present-day Cambodia. Its rulers created an extensive urban landscape of temples, reservoirs, canals, roads, and settlements. Angkor Wat was constructed in the early 12th century during the reign of King Suryavarman II and was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.
The wider Angkor complex later incorporated Buddhist monuments and reflected changes in royal religion. Jayavarman VII, one of the empire’s most influential rulers, built major works including the Bayon, whose towers feature large carved faces, and the city of Angkor Thom.
Angkor’s water-management system helped support a large population, but its decline resulted from several interacting factors rather than one simple event. Climate variability, warfare, political change, and infrastructure pressures all played roles. UNESCO designated Angkor a World Heritage Site in 1992.