Angkor Wat temple, architectural masterpiece of the Khmer Empire, situated near Siem Reap in North-western Cambodia is one of the most visited temple in the world (more than 2 million visitors in 2016). Here are 10 fun facts below about Angkor Wat temple.
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1. The central tower of Angkor Wat is aligned with sunrise twice a year in March and September during the winter and spring equinox.
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2. The artificial moat surrounding the temple provides stability to the structure by keeping constant the humidity of the sandy ground below.
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3. Contrary to the other Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is facing West.
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4. Angkor Wat counts about 1700 delicate carvings of topless celestial dancers called Devatas.
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5. The first pictures of Angkor Wat were taken in 1866 by John Thomson.
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6. Angkor Wat was during the 12th century the largest city on Earth with an estimated population of nearly 1,000,000.
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7. Angkor Wat has four entrances but only the west and the east are accessible.
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8. Angkor Wat was built as heaven on earth with its fives towers representing Mont Meru and its moat the ocean.
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9. Since 2013, you can visit the entire temple complex of Angkor Wat from your smartphone using Google Street View.
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10. Angkor Wat central sanctuary is made of an iron core (coming from laterite, a porous stone containing iron oxide).
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