Introducing Korea

 

 

Republic of Korea (commonly known as “Korea”)

 

Geography (Location & Area)

 

 

South Korea is located in Asia on the Korean Peninsula; it measures a total of 100,188.1 km² and takes up 45% of the Korean Peninsula, which is a total of of 221,000 km². The total area of the peninsula includes all of the Korean Peninsula and its annexed islands, occupied by both South and North Korea.

The Korean Peninsula is slightly larger than Cambodia (181,035 km²), and about 2/3 the size of the Philippines (300,000 km²), Vietnam (331,210 km²), and Japan (377,915 km²).

The Korean Peninsula, on which South Korea and North Korea are located, neighbors China to the northwest with Amnokgang (River) as its borderline, and China and Russia to the northeast with Dumangang (River) as its borderline. The peninsula is bordered by the Yellow Sea in the west, the East Sea in the east, and the South Sea in the south.

The southern and western parts of Korea are plains, while the eastern and the northern parts are mountainous. The highest mountain in Korea is Baekdusan (2,744m). Gaemagowon, which is in the northern part of Korea, is called "the Roof of Korea," and the Taebaek Range located on the east coast is called “Baekdudaegan”.

Korea's best- known islands include Jeju Island, Geoje Island, Jin Island and Ulleung Island. Jeju Island and Ulleung Island were formed by volcanic activities. The west coast and the south coast of Korea are rias coasts, and there is a large tidal range. (Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

 

National Flag (Taegeukgi)

The national flag of Korea is the 'Taegeukgi', which is mostly white with a yin-yang symbol at the center, and 'Geon', 'Gon', 'Gam', and 'Li' (groups of black bars) located at each of the four corners.

The white background of the flag represents brightness and pureness, which reflects Koreans’ traditional love of peace. The Yin-yang pattern at the center symbolizes harmony between 'Yin' (blue) and 'Yang' (red), and embodies the truth that all things in the universe are created and exist through interactions between Yin and Yang. The 4 symbols at the corners represent the images of Yin and Yang, changing and interacting with each other. 'Geon' symbolizes 'heaven': 'Gon' symbolizes 'earth': 'Gam' symbolizes 'water': and 'Li' symbolizes 'fire'.

Each of these 4 symbols exists in harmony with the Yin-yang in the center. All of these symbols of the Taegukgi reflect the Korean ideal of promoting creation and prosperity while keeping in sync with the Universe. (Source: Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs).

 

 

 

National Flower (Mugunghwa)

The national flower of Korea is the Mugunghwa, which has been loved by the Korean people from ancient times. The name of the flower means, "flower that blooms and never falls for eternity." Ancient records show that the Korean people have regarded the Mugunghwa as a flower from heaven since before the Gojoseon Era. The Silla Kingdom even referred to itself as “Geunhwahyang”, meaning “the nation of Mugunghwa”. The neighboring country of China also praised Korea as "a nation of noblemen where Mugunghwa blooms and falls".

The Mugunghwa has been an important flower throughout Korean history, and the love of this flower is even reflected in the national anthem (written during the late Joseon Era), which includes the verse, "splendid rivers and mountains with endless roads of Mugunghwa." The Korean people's undying love for the Mugunghwa continued through the Japanese occupation, and was official named the national flower after the emancipation.

The Mugunghwa grows in regions such as Korea, central China, northern India, and Japan. It is a kind of deciduous broadleaf shrub that sheds its leaves in autumn. It grows up to 3 to 4 meters, and is circular in shape. The Mugunghwa blooms from July to October every year, and blooms into an impressive array of colors and shapes. The flowers bloom at dawn and wither in the evening, but new flowers bloom every day for 100 days. (Source: Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs).

 

 

Population

 

As of June 1st, 2016, Korea’s total population is 51,619,330, making it the 26th most populous country in the world. The population density is 499 people per km², which is the third largest in the world. (Source: Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs, CIA, National Statistical Office)

 

 

Economy

Korea’s GDP in 2016 was USD 1.3212 trillion, making it the 11th largest economy in the world. The per capita GDP is USD 25,990 dollars. The main exports include petroleum products, semiconductors, automobiles, ships and flat panel displays. (Source: IMF, Korea Customs Service)

 

 

 

As a country in the Korean Peninsula, the end of the east Asia's first kingdom Gojoseon in 108 bc to existence.Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, is building its consideration have been established in the Middle Ages through the Three Kingdoms Period, and the Joseon Dynasty, the extended into modern times. Modern, 35 years after World War Two after the Japanese occupation of the United States and the divided peninsula of the Soviet army divided into South and establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948..Since the Korean War happened under a flag of truce, and remains a divided country, so far.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(韓國) South Korea or South Korea (south korea), and also called (南朝鮮) South Korea in the North. Long stretches of the peninsula north and south and islands of the 3,200 more. Manchuria and China across the Tumen and Yalu River north of Russia's Siberia and tangent to the south east and south across the west across the West, and to avoid in Japan. and donghaeGet in and mainland China. Belong to the East Asia, Japan, along with China. The Provinces of thousands of special autonomous, (Sejong City) (The Seoul Metropolitan Government), one, six Metropolitan Office of (Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju Metropolitan City.Ulsan Metropolitan City), one of the Special Self-Governing Provincial (Jeju Special Self-Governing Province), made up of eight road. 1953 armistice agreement after the Korean War, a divided country after a truce with North Korea is continuing.