South Korea Geography: A Comprehensive Overview

Geography of South Korea Browse the article Geography of South Korea

Introduction to Geography of South Korea

South Korea, a country of eastern Asia. It occupies the southern part of the Korean peninsula, between the Sea of Japan on the east and the Yellow Sea on the west. In 1945, Korea was divided into two countries—the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). They are separated by a demilitarized zone, about 2½ miles (4 km) in width, along the armistice line established in 1953 at the close of the Korean War.

Facts in brief about South KoreaCapital: Seoul.Official language: Korean.Official name: Taehan-min’guk (Republic of Korea).Area: 38,432 mi2 (99,538 km2), including islands and excluding the 487-mi2 (1,262 km2) demilitarized zone. Greatest distances—north-south, 300 mi (480 km); east-west, 185 mi (298 km). Coastline—819 mi (1,318 km).Elevation: Highest—Halla-san (Halla Mountain) 6,398 ft (1,950 m) above sea level. Lowest—sea level.Population: Current estimate—48,877,000; density, 1,272 per mi2 (491 per km2); distribution, 81 percent urban, 19 percent rural. 2000 census—46,136,101.Chief products: Agriculture—apples, barley, cabbage, cattle, chickens, hogs, melons, onions, oranges, potatoes, rice, soybeans, sweet potatoes. Manufacturing—automobiles, chemicals, clothing and textiles, computer equipment, electric appliances, fertilizers, iron and steel, machinery, optical goods, paper, plywood, porcelain, processed foods, rubber tires, ships, telecommunications equipment, television sets. Mining—anthracite (hard coal), gold, graphite, iron ore, lead, limestone, tungsten, zinc. Fishing—filefish, oysters, pollock, squid, tuna.Flag and coat of arms: South Korea's flag has a white background with a red-and-blue yin-yang symbol in the center. The ancient yin-yang symbol represents the balance in the universe between opposites—such as night and day, and life and death. There are four different I Ching symbols in each corner of the flag. In the coat of arms, yellow flowers encircle the yin-yang symbol.Money: Basic unit—South Korean won.

Facts in brief about South Korea

Physical Geography

South Korea is a country in East Asia.Land

The Korean peninsula has rugged, mountainous terrain, with barely one-fifth of its surface in lowlands or plains. Few of the mountains are high compared to those of some other Asian countries, but they are so extensive that there are few places in South Korea where mountains cannot be seen.

Southward, the mountains continue in the Nangnim range, and then along the east coast of South Korea as the Taebaek Mountains. Another chain, the Sobaek Mountains, stretches across the peninsula to the southwest. The southern mountains are lower than those of the north, reaching about 6,000 feet (1,830 m) at their highest.

Lowlands are chiefly between the mountains and the coasts. Only a narrow coastal plain lies along the eastern shore; to the southeast, however, the plain widens and extends well inland along the Naktong River valley. The most extensive lowlands are in the west, stretching northward in a broad arc from Chonju to the North Korean border. The southern and western coasts are heavily indented by bays and dotted with islands. Some 50 miles (80 km) off the southern coast is the large island of Cheju, which is part of South Korea.

Water

Rivers are generally short, winding, and fast-flowing. Most of them flow from the eastern mountains across the lowlands to the Yellow Sea. Among the larger rivers are the Han and the Kum. The southeast is drained by the Naktong River system, which has its outlet in the Korea Strait near Pusan. A number of rivers provide power to operate large hydroelectric installations.

Climate

There are sharp contrasts between the seasons, with cold winters and warm, humid summers. The climate is strongly affected by seasonal monsoons. In winter, cold dry air flows out of Siberia, dropping average temperatures over most of the peninsula to between 20° and 30° F. (-7° and -1° C.). Only in the extreme south do average temperatures stay above freezing. In summer, warm and moist southerly winds bring frequent rains and temperatures ranging from 70° to 80° F. (21° to 27° C.).

Precipitation averages 30 to 50 inches (760 to 1,270 mm) annually, except in the far north. There, as little as 20 inches (510 mm) is received each year. Typhoons occasionally move up from the South China Sea, bringing very heavy rains and high winds.

Vegetation

Evergreen forests of fir, larch, pine, and spruce are extensive in the higher areas. Forests of deciduous trees and pines prevail elsewhere, in the warmer areas. Overcutting and clearing for agricultural purposes have depleted many forests, causing serious soil erosion in some areas.

Economy

South Korea's economy was largely agricultural at the time of the Korean War (1950–53), when much damage was inflicted on the nation. Reconstruction and recovery were rapid after the war, in part because of large amounts of economic aid from the United States and other nations. In the early 1960's industry began to grow rapidly; by the mid-1980's South Korea had become one of the world's chief exporters of manufactured goods.

The South Korean government played a major role in directing and developing the economy, particularly through central planning and direct and indirect control of many manufacturing industries and banking. Rapid industrial development was also aided by large investments of capital and technology from the United States and Japan and by an abundance of skilled, cheap labor.

Though few in number, corporate conglomerates, called chaebols, produce most of the nation's goods and services.

Manufacturing

Light manufacturing industries requiring much labor were the first to be developed, mainly during the 1960's. Textiles, clothing, shoes, and similar consumer items were among the main goods produced. Priority shifted during the 1970's to the development of heavier and more technically advanced industries. Production included machinery, automobiles, ships, steel, chemicals, refined petroleum products, and electronic equipment. South Korea also developed a large engineering industry, with construction projects in many parts of the world.

Since the early 1980's increasing emphasis has been placed on developing high-technology industries, centering mainly on dataprocessing equipment, especially computers. Much military equipment is also produced. Seoul, Pusan, and Inchon are among the chief manufacturing centers.

Agriculture

Only about 20 per cent of South Korea is suitable for farming, and roughly one-fifth of the people are dependent on agriculture for their living. Farms average about 3 acres (1.2 hectares) and are privately owned. Some farming is done by cooperatives.

Rice, grown on about 65 per cent of the farmland, is the staple food and by far the chief crop. Rice yields are high, but production is insufficient to meet the nation's great demand. Much rice is imported. Other crops include onions, potatoes, barley, soybeans, melons, and apples. Farm machinery, hybrid seeds, and fertilizers are widely used. Chickens, hogs, and cattle are the main farm animals.

Fishing, Lumbering, and Mining

Offshore and distant deep-sea waters yield a large amount of fish, an important food in the nation's diet. South Korea ranks among the world's top 10 fishing nations. Ulsan and Masan are the chief fishing ports. Many freshwater fish are produced in ponds.

The forests of South Korea, which have been excessively cut, are poor in quality. South Korea imports large amounts of lumber, most of which is processed into plywood or veneer. Mineral deposits are few and generally small. Minerals produced include coal, iron ore, and graphite.

Transportation

South Korea has greatly expanded and improved its transportation facilities since the early 1960's. Highways have replaced railways as the chief means of intercity transport. The railways are owned and operated by the government; many are electrified. There are subways in Seoul and Pusan. Inchon's airport is the largest and busiest of several international terminals. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines provide domestic and international service. Coastal and overseas shipping is important and is conducted at numerous ports, chief of which are Pusan and Inchon.

Trade

South Korea trades mainly with the United States and Japan. Foods, industrial equipment, and raw materials, especially crude petroleum, make up most of the imports. Exports consist almost entirely of manufactured and processed goods.

The People

Virtually all the people are Koreans. They are a Mongoloid people, who apparently migrated in prehistoric times from what is now Manchuria.

The Korean language is believed to be unrelated to any known tongue. There is, however, a strong infusion of Chinese words in the vocabulary. A phonetic alphabet— originally 28, now 24 letters—has been in use since 1443.

Principal religions are Buddhism, Christianity, and Chondokyo (a native faith combining elements of Christianity and Buddhism). Korean ethics and morals are also shaped by Confucianism, which is not strictly a religion in the Western sense. Shamanism is strong in some rural areas.

In South Korea, education is free and compulsory through six years of primary school, which begins at age six. It is followed by three years of middle school and then three years of high school. The chief institution of higher learning is Seoul National University.

Government

Under the constitution of 1987, South Korea is a republic. A president, with extensive executive powers, serves as head of state. He is popularly elected for a five-year term. He appoints the prime minister (head of government) and cabinet. The National Assembly is the legislature; members are popularly elected for four-year terms. The Supreme Court is the highest court. Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the president.