Location
T
he Korean Peninsula extends southward from the northeast part of the
Asian continent between 33¡£ and 43¡£ North Latitude and 124¡£ and 132¡£ degree East Longitude.
The standard meridian of the peninsula
is 135¡£, nine hours ahead of GMT. The Amnokgang and Dumangang Rivers
border both China and Russia to the north,
and
Japan is just across the East Sea.
Since 1945, as a by-product of the Cold War,
the peninsula has been divided at 38¡£ North
Latitude into the Republic of Korea, or South Korea, and the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea, more
commonly known as North Korea.
Area and Topography
T
he total area of the peninsula is 221,135 km2, similar in size to that of U.K,
New Zealand, or Romania. South Korea possesses 99,373 km2 or 45% of the total
land mass, and North Korea 122,762 km2, the
remaining 55%. About 70% of the land
is mountainous, mainly to the north and east. Along the southern
and western
coasts the mountains descend gradually towards broad coastal plains. Most of the
rivers have their tributaries on the north and east sides, and flow into the Yellow
and South Seas. Concentrated for the most part on the southern coast, islands are
upwards of 3,000 various sizes that provide scenery unparalleled in the world.
People and Population K
oreans, like many other Asian peoples, are descendants of Mongolian Tungus
stock. They differ from the neighboring Japanese and Chinese, however, in that
Koreans are a homogeneous ethnic group with their own language, culture, and customs.
Korean people are characterized by their generosity, warmth, and kindness, and
are renowned as one of the hardest working people in the world.
Population :
South Korea - 46.8 million (1999)
(North Korea - 23.8 million) (1997)
Annual growth rate : 10.7% (1999)
Urbanization rate : 86.2% (2000)
Average family size : 3.3 persons (1995)
Number of foreign residents : 168,950 (1999)
The National Flag and Flower
T
he national flower of Korea is the
mugunghwa
or Rose of Sharon. Every year from June to October a profusion of
mugunghwa
blossoms graces the entire country. Unlike most flowers,
mugunghwa
is remarkably tenacious and is able to withstand both
blight and insects. The flower's symbolic significance stems from
mugunghwa's
root word, "
mugung,
" meaning immortality. This word accurately reflects the
perseverance and determination of the Korean people
that has been demonstrated throughout their long history.
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Capital and Major Cities
The capital city is Seoul, which is the political, cultural, commercial, financial, and
educational center of Korea. Seoul also offers many tourist attractions.
(Populations : 10.3 million as of 1998)
K
orea consists of 7 metropolitan cities and 9 provinces.
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