Cambodia's Phnom Penh is the capital and most populous city of the Southeast Asian country of Cambodia. It is located on the banks of the Tonle Sap and Mekong River, in the south-central part of the country. The city has a population of over 2 million people and is the economic, political, and cultural center of Cambodia. Phnom Penh was founded in 1434 and served as the capital of the Khmer Empire until the fall of the empire in the 15th century. In the 19th century, it became the capital of the French Protectorate of Cambodia. Today, it is an important regional hub for trade and culture.