A new state-of-the art map of Cambodia was launched June 12 and is available now

at any local internet café.

More than just a map, CambodiaAtlas.com is an interactive online atlas that provides

a wealth of information on the Kingdom's geographic features and natural resources

as well as related social and economic issues.

In all, 50 layers of maps can be accessed that display a diverse range of data, including

areas with mines and UXO, land use, poverty distribution, soil quality and forest

concessions. Funded by Danish NGO Danida, the map was created using state-of-art

software - similar to Google Earth - and was compiled from research conducted over

the past 6 years by the NGO.

"By having [the website] all information will be available to the public and

benefit all Cambodians,"said Mogens Christensen, Danida's resident Cambodia

representative. "This is a project which hasn't been done anywhere in Asia."

The site operates similar to Google Earth and allows users to search for specific

information, zoom in on areas or have comprehensive overviews.

Christensen said the site was continuously revised and in the future would include

the locations of school and health centers, economic land concessions, as well as

highly detailed information on land use throughout the Kingdom.

Christensen said he hoped the map would become an invaluable resource for researchers,

other NGO's, local and national government - and the general public.

"It will be a tool that can lower the cost of information distribution. It is

available to all," he said.