The Khmer Empire dominated the region from 800 – 1431. The empire mandated the practice of Hinduism, so the religion spread in the region during this time. The capital city, Angkor, was the largest pre-industrial city in the world. It was built on a man-made lake designed to control and store seasonal rains in order to produce enough food for the empire. It is also home to a large and elaborate temple.
The Khmer empire was a powerful state in South East Asia, formed by people of the same name, lasting from 802 CE to 1431 CE. At its peak, the empire covered much of what today is Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and southern Vietnam.
