Angkor Wat is an ancient temple complex in Cambodia. It lies near Siem Reap, within the larger archaeological region of Angkor.
The Khmer king Suryavarman II commissioned Angkor Wat in the early 12th century. It was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and was later used as a Buddhist temple, reflecting religious changes in the Khmer Empire.
The complex is famous for its monumental towers, galleries, bas-reliefs, and vast moat. Its central quincunx of towers is often interpreted as representing Mount Meru, the cosmic mountain in Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
Angkor Wat appears on Cambodia’s national flag, making it one of the few monuments represented directly on a national flag. Angkor became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.