About
Angkor Wat in Cambodia was built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, later converted to Buddhism. Covering 162.6 hectares, it is the largest religious monument ever constructed — even larger than Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
The temple represents Mount Meru, home of the gods in Hindu cosmology, with five towers symbolizing the mountain's peaks. Its bas-reliefs stretch over half a kilometer, depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and the Khmer king's military campaigns. Angkor Wat appears on the Cambodian flag — the only building to be featured on a national flag.
# Top 10 Angkor Wat facts
- 1Angkor Wat is the largest religious structure ever built, covering 162.6 hectares
- 2It appears on the Cambodian national flag — the only building featured on any country's flag
- 3Construction required an estimated 300,000 workers and 6,000 elephants
Fascinating Facts
- ◆Angkor Wat is the largest religious structure ever built, covering 162.6 hectares
- ◆It appears on the Cambodian national flag — the only building featured on any country's flag
- ◆Construction required an estimated 300,000 workers and 6,000 elephants
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