visitors dive in Koh Tang, one of the Sihanoukville islands where the major battle to free theSS Mayagüez took place. Divers can see two shipwrecks 40 metres (130 ft) down.
On 22 December 2008, King Norodom Sihamoni signed a Royal Decree that changed the municipalities of Kep, Pailin and Sihanoukville into provinces, as well as adjusting several provincial borders.
The province honors the name of King Norodom Sihanouk. Internationally it is written in French as Sihanouk Ville or Sihanoukville (Literally "The City of Sihanouk" or "Sihanouk City").
King Norodom Sihanouk is known in Cambodia as the Father of the Nation, because he was the main promoter of the independence of the country from France in 1953.
The name "Sihanouk" is formed from two Sanskrit words: Siha and Hanu. "Siha" means Lion. The word comes from Sanskrit "Simha". Another example is Singapore. "Hanouk" is from "Hanu" that means "Jaws". Therefore, Sihanouk is "The Jaws of the Lion".
The former name Kompong Saom means "Agreeable Port" and "saom" is derived from the Sanskrit word "samuya
