South Korea Information

Total Area: 98,480 square kilometers (38,023 square miles)
Capital: Seoul
Population: 44,000,000
Ethnic Composition: 99.9% Korean; 0.1% other (mostly Chinese)
Official Language: Korean
Religion: 53% none; 24% Mahayana Buddhist; 16% Protestant; 7% other
Government: A republic; the head of state is the president, who is elected by voters to a five-year term; the head of government is the prime minister, appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature; the unicameral legislature is called the National Assembly and has 299 members. Voting age is 20.

Geography

     Korea lies in northeastern Asia and occupies the Korean Peninsula—a spit of land extending 965 kilometers (600 miles) south from the Asian continent—and more than 3,400 nearby islands. Korea is bounded on the north by China and Russia and on the east by the Sea of Japan.

     The peninsula was partitioned between the occupying forces of the United States in the south and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in the north after World War II. The state of South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, was established in 1948.

     South Korea is bounded on the north by North Korea, on the southeast and south by the Korea Strait (which separates it from Japan), and on the west by the Yellow Sea. The Land of the Morning Calm has a total area of about 98,480 square kilometers (38,023 square miles), including the islands in the south and west. The largest of these is Cheju, with an area of 1,829 square kilometers (706 square miles).

     South Korea is a rugged, mountainous country. The principal mountain range is the Taebaek–San Maek, which extends north-south along the eastern coast. Flatlands, which constitute only 20 percent of the country's area, are concentrated in the west along the coast; there are coastal plains in the east and south, but they are very narrow.

     The country's two longest rivers rise in the Taebaek–San Maek. The Naktong flows south to the Korea Strait, and the Han flows northwest to the Yellow Sea. Other major rivers include the Kum, Yongsan, and Tongjin.

     The country's capital, chief industrial center, and largest city is Seoul. Other major cities include Pusan, the principal seaport; Taegu, center of the silk industry; Inchon, the major port on the Yellow Sea; and Kyongju, an ancient commercial and administrative center.

Plants and Animals
     Mixed deciduous and coniferous forests cover about two-thirds of the land, but they have been thinned for use as fuel. Principal species include pine, maple, elm, poplar, fir, and aspen. Bamboo, laurel, and evergreen oak are found in the mild southern coastal areas.

     Tigers, leopards, bears, and lynx used to be common throughout the Korean Peninsula, but these animals have virtually disappeared from South Korea because of deforestation and poaching.

Mineral Resources
     In contrast to North Korea, South Korea is relatively poor in mineral resources. The principal resources are coal (mostly anthracite), iron ore, and graphite. Other minerals include gold, silver, copper, lead, tungsten, zinc, and uranium. Reserves of natural gas have been discovered offshore.

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Highlights

     Within a compact radius, South Korea offers ancient artifacts, modern cities, coastal villages, secluded beaches, snow-capped mountains, and enchanting islands.

Seoul
     The capital of South Korea is a modern metropolis. Yet nestled among the gleaming towers are five ancient gates, part of the original city wall, palaces, and shrines—and utmost care is taken to ensure that the architectural treasures of the past are not lost in Seoul's rush toward the future. Monuments commemorating more recent history are scattered around the city.

     Modern Seoul is a center for spiritual pursuits, art, theater, dance, and music—and if you get tired of all that culture, there's always sports, shopping, eating, shopping, nightlife, and shopping. Many theme parks, zoos, and aquariums in the city and surrounding areas may be of special interest to younger family members.

Seoul Environs
     When you've had enough of rubbing elbows in South Korea's populous capital, you can find many attractions in the surrounding rural areas.

     Suwon is south of the city and close to the Korean Folk Village, a living museum. The port city of Inchon, southwest of Seoul, has great historical significance to South Korea; it also has many recreation areas, lovely beaches, and wonderful seafood restaurants. Inchon Pottery Village is the best site in South Korea to buy traditional porcelain. Not far from here is 2,000-year-old Namhansan Castle, the Shilla dynasty temple Shinrruk-sa, and the 15th-century tomb of King Sejong.

     Two major attractions are located north of Seoul. Kanghwa Island is Korea's fifth-largest island, just a 1½ hour drive northwest of the city. Here the mythical founder of Korea, Tangun, is said to have descended from Heaven.

     No visit to South Korea is complete without seeing Panmunjom, less than 56 kilometers (35 miles) northwest of Seoul. This 4-kilometer-wide (2.5-mile) demilitarized zone is where North and South Korea are joined. Visiting it is a thoroughly sobering experience.

The Southeast
     The southeastern part of Korea enjoys relatively mild weather, lovely beaches, breathtaking scenery, and some of the oldest and most beautiful tombs, shrines, and temples in the world.

     Pusan, South Korea's second-largest city, has been a cosmopolitan harbor since ancient times. Today's Pusan is a bustling metropolis. The area surrounding Pusan is a haven of parks, beaches, temples, and monuments. Among Pusan's famous temples are Haein-sa, repository of the Tripitaka Koreana, and Pomo-sa and Tongdo-sa, the country's largest Buddhist temples. Pusan is also famous for its hot springs, the unique United Nations Memorial Cemetery, and magnificent Hallyohaesang National Park.

     Kyongju is one of world's ten great historic sites. At the height of its glory as capital of the Shilla dynasty (57 BC–AD 935), the Golden City had 1 million inhabitants. Top tourist attractions are Tumuli Park, site of the recently excavated Chonma-chong (Heavenly Horse Tomb) and 19 other tombs; Pulguk-sa, one of the oldest surviving monasteries in the country and one of Korea's five great temples; Punhwang-sa Pagoda, the oldest datable pagoda in Korea; and Sokkuram, the grotto shrine on Mt. Tohamsan. Even if you're not up to climbing around the tombs and shrines, do visit Kyongju National Museum, the country's most beautiful house of treasures. If you're in Kyongju in October, you'll be in time for the Shilla Cultural Festival.

The Southwest
     "The rice bin of Korea" slopes gently down to the jagged coastline and is an area of mountains, ski resorts, and rugged national parks. Heavily influenced by the Paekche kingdom, it is also rich in shrines, temples, monuments, and museums. There are beautiful small islands off the coast. Catch the Chinhae Cherry Blossom Festival in the beginning of April and the Yongdungje Festival on Chindo Island in mid-April.

Cheju Island
     Only 96 kilometers (60 miles) off the southern Korean coastline is a world far removed in spirit from bustling Seoul. The largest island in Korea, Cheju is also called Island of the Gods. It is indeed a mystical place, full of strange rock formations, volcanic craters, otherworldly caves, tropical grottoes, and places where gods are supposed to have emerged. It is also the home of a very old culture that has changed little over the centuries. Cheju's mild climate and romantic atmosphere make it a favorite destination for honeymooners. Pursuits for the fit and adventurous include hiking through the world's longest lava tube, climbing Songsan Illch'ulbong (Sunrise Peak), hunting, scuba diving, horseback riding, fishing, and golfing. Pursuits for those not quite as athletically inclined include visiting museums, folk villages, and the many attractions of nearby Sogwip'o, the southern coast's major city. Cheju's cultural festival takes place in early October.

The Central Area
     This is a region of plains and mountains, extensively traversed by trains. Highlights include Taejon, the area's major city and a burgeoning center for scientific research. Ch'ongju, an hour from Taejon, is the gateway to Mt. Soraksan National Park. A bit further from Taejon are Kongju and Puyo, capitals of the old Paekche kingdom (18 BC–AD 660). Many ancient tombs and fortresses are found in these towns.

The East
     The eastern portion of South Korea is known for its natural beauty and national parks. Snow-capped mountains are offset by soft, sandy beaches (Tonghae's are famous) against a backdrop of forest—a paradise for skiers, beachcombers, and hikers. The area is also rich in historical sites, and there are many coastal towns to explore.

     One of the area's primary attractions is Mt. Soraksan National Park. Just a few miles south of the demilitarized zone, it's been dubbed the Switzerland of Asia: 357 square kilometers (138 square miles) of spectacular forests, waterfalls, lakes, and rugged snow-capped peaks. This is a year-round sporting area for hiking, skiing, skating, tobogganing, golf, and fishing. It's still relatively unknown to foreign visitors, although the country's largest hotel/condominium/recreation complex is slated to put this snow-peak chain on the map of Asia. Mt. Soraksan National Park is just about one hour by air, or five hours by express bus, from Seoul.

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updated: 02/12/2004