World Atlas: Korea, South

Information about Korea, South

Here you can find online selected information about the geography, inhabitants, government, economy and history of Korea, South. Included are selected statistics, an overview map and the detailed map of Korea, South. But let's start with the flag of Korea, South here:

Korea, South - Overview:

What you should know about Korea, South? Let's start with this: An independent kingdom for much of its long history, Korea was occupied by Japan beginning in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. In 1910, Tokyo formally annexed the entire Peninsula. Korea regained its independence following Japan's surrender to the US in 1945. After World War II, a democratic-based government (Republic of Korea, ROK) was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a communist-style government was installed in the north (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside ROK soldiers to defend South Korea from a DPRK invasion supported by China and the Soviet Union. A 1953 armistice split the Peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. PARK Chung-hee took over leadership of the country in a 1961 coup. During his regime, from 1961 to 1979, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth, with per capita income rising to roughly 17 times the level of North Korea. South Korea held its first free presidential election under a revised democratic constitution in 1987, with former ROK Army general ROH Tae-woo winning a close race. In 1993, KIM Young-sam (1993-98) became the first civilian president of South Korea's new democratic era. President KIM Dae-jung (1998-2003) won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his contributions to South Korean democracy and his "Sunshine" policy of engagement with North Korea. President PARK Geun-hye, daughter of former ROK President PARK Chung-hee, took office in February 2013 as South Korea's first female leader. In December 2016, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President PARK over her alleged involvement in a corruption and influence-peddling scandal, immediately suspending her presidential authorities. The impeachment was upheld in March 2017, triggering an early presidential election in May 2017 won by MOON Jae-in. South Korea will host the Winter Olympic Games in February 2018. Discord with North Korea has permeated inter-Korean relations for much of the past decade, highlighted by the North's attacks on a South Korean ship and island in 2010, the exchange of artillery fire across the DMZ in 2015, and multiple nuclear and missile tests in 2016 and 2017.

Geography of Korea, South

Where on the globe is Korea, South? The location of this country is Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea. Total area of Korea, South is 99,720 sq km, of which 96,920 sq km is land. So this is not a large country. How could we describe the terrain of the country? This way: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south. The lowest point of Korea, South is Sea of Japan 0 m, the highest point Halla-san 1,950 m. And the climate is temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter; cold winters.

Inhabitants of Korea, South

Let's take a look how many people live in Korea, South. The number is: 51,181,299 (July 2017 est.). So quite a lot people live here. Who lives here? homogeneous. What are the languages in Korea, South? Korean, English (widely taught in junior high and high school). And the religions: Protestant 19.7%, Buddhist 15.5%, Catholic 7.9%, none 56.9%. How old are the people in average? 41.8 years. We have to add that this number is the median - so one half of the people is older than this, one half is younger. And what is their life expectancy (at birth)? This: 82.5 years. Where the people live in Korea, South? Here: with approximately 70% of the country considered mountainous, the country's population is primarily concentrated in the lowland areas, where density is quite high; Gyeonggi Province in the northwest, which surrounds the capital of Seoul and contains the port of Incheon, is the most densely populated province; Gangwon in the northeast is the least populated. The major urban areas of Korea, South are: Seoul (capital) 9.774 million; Busan (Pusan) 3.216 million; Incheon (Inch'on) 2.685 million; Daegu (Taegu) 2.244 million; Daejon (Taejon) 1.564 million; Gwangju (Kwangju) 1.536 million (2015).

Government and Economy of Korea, South

The capital of Korea, South is Seoul; note - Sejong, located some 120 km (75 mi) south of Seoul, is being developed as a new capital and the government type presidential republic. Let's take a look at the administrative divisions - 9 provinces (do, singular and plural), 6 metropolitan cities (gwangyeoksi, singular and plural), 1 special city (teugbyeolsi), and 1 special self-governing city (teukbyeoljachisi). Regarding the economy of Korea, South, important industrial products are electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel. Important agricultural products are rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit, cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs, fish. The most important export commodities are semiconductors, petrochemicals, automobile/auto parts, ships, wireless communication equipment, flat displays, steel, electronics, plastics, computers and the most important export partners are China 25.1%, US 13.5%, Vietnam 6.6%, Hong Kong 6.6%, Japan 4.9% (2016). The most important import commodities are crude oil/petroleum products, semiconductors, natural gas, coal, steel, computers, wireless communication equipment, automobiles, fine chemicals, textiles and the most important import partners are China 21.4%, Japan 11.7%, US 10.7%, Germany 4.7% (2016). How rich is Korea, South and how rich are people in this country? The most important number here is GDP per capita (PPP): $39,400 (2017 est.). This means the living standards are good here. Let's add that this means Gross Domestic Product per person, which is recalculated with respect to the relative cost of local goods and services. And one more important number - population below poverty line: 12.5% (2015 est.).

Map of Korea, South