The area around the huge ceremonial complex and ancient city of Angkor, Cambodia (13.43 N latitude; 103.9 E longitude) is contained within this SIR-C radar image, taken from the space shuttle Endeavor on September 30, 1994. Among the most prominent features in this view are the rectangular reservoirs and canal systems of the ancient metropolis. The large light green square at left center is the ceremonial complex of Angkor Thom, with Angkor Wat the small square below.
The false color image covers a total area of 55 by 85 km (34 by 53 miles). This and later images taken in 1996 have revealed new settement data on this major Khmer site, which once held more than 60 temples and a million residents, dating between the 9th and 15th centuries AD.
Temples have been newly discovered from the radar imagery at Sman Teng and Kapilapura near Angkor Wat, helping to better define the size and age of the settlements.
The river visible at bottom left is the Tonle Sap.
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[Fig.1: SIR-C radar image of Angkor (NASA/JPL image p-45156)]
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