SOUTH KOREA

COUNTRY PROFILE


LOCATION:

South Korea or Republic of Korea is located in the easternmost part of the Asian continent. The capital and largest city is Seoul.

POPULATION:

South Korea is a small country with a lot of people (49,540,000), with 1,256 citizens for every square mile (485 per every square kilometer) of land so there is a huge demand for space. As a result, many of the country's natural habitants have been squeezed into smaller areas. There are 20 national parks, but the only areas of true wilderness left are the mountain forests. Koreans' lives are heavily influenced by Confucianism, a Chinese philosophy that teaches respect and morality.

CURRENCY:

Their currency is the Won (원).

These are the names of the currencies of Korea, 500won (875 pesos), 100won (175 pesos), 50won (87 pesos) and 10won (17pesos), also very similar to those of Colombia.

















The bill for 50,000 won up to 87,500 Colombian pesos.
The bill for 10,000 won up to 17,500 Colombian pesos.
The 5,000 won bill corresponds to 8,750 Colombian pesos.
And the 1,000 won bill corresponds to 1,750 Colombian pesos.

LANDSCAPE AND WEATHER: 

South Korea has many mountains, but they are small compared with others around the world. Over millions of years, their peaks have been worn down by rain and wind. Most summits are below 3,300 feet (1,000 meters).

On South Korea's Jeju Island and along a narrow strip in the south, high humidity and rainfall give rise to tropical evergreen jungles. The peninsula is also surrounded by about 3,000 volcanic islands.

Major Mountain Ranges: Taebaek Mountains, Sobaek Mountains

Seoraksan-National-Park (Taebaek Mountains)

Major Rivers: Han, Kum, Naktong

                          

River Han

GOVERNMENT: 

The official name of South Korea is the Republic of Korea (ROK). That is because its government claims to be in charge of the whole of Korea and does not recognize North Korea as separate. The ROK government is headed by a president, who is elected to a five-year term. (Republic Government)

         

   



TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

The country isn’t very famous, but have beautiful places and a great diversity of places to visit, some are:

• Bulguksa Temple (불국사)

• Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon (창덕궁과 후원)
• Anapji Pond (경주 동궁과 월지, 안압지)
• Gochang Dolmen Site  (고창 고인돌군 [유네스코 세계문화유산])   
• Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

• Haeinsa Temple Janggyeongpanjeon Hall (해인사 장경판전 [유네스코 세계문화유산])  
• Changgyeonggung Palace (창경궁) 
• Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁) 
• Unhyeongung Royal Residence (운현궁)  
• Jongmyo Shrine (종묘 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

FOOD:

south korea offer many kind of food and drink, as:

MEALS:

• 김치 Kimchi

• 비빔밥 Bibimbap (Rice Mixed with Vegetables and Beef)

• 불고기 Bulgogi (Beef in a Soy sauce Marinade)

• 갈비 구이 Grilled Galbi (Seasoned ribs)

• 삼계탕 Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken soup)

  

• 냉면 Naengmyeon (Buckwheat noodles in a cold broth)

• 해물탕 Haemultang (Seafood stew)

• 김치찌개 Kimchi jjigae

• 닭갈비 Dakgalbi (Chicken ribs)

• 갈비탕 Galbitang (Short rib soup)

• 죽 Juk (Porridge)

• 김밥 (Gimbap)

• 부침개 / 전 (Buchimgae/Jeon)

• 떡볶이 (Tteokbokki)

• 순대 (Sundae)

• 어묵 (Eomuk)

• 튀김 (Twigim)

• 호떡 (Hotteok)

• 와플 (Waffle)

• 닭꼬치 (Dak-kkochi)

DRINKS:

• Makgeolli (Takju) – 막걸리 (탁주)

• Chamsari Takju (참살이탁주)

• Kooksoondang Ssal Makgeolli (국순당 쌀막걸리)

• Seoul Takju’s Jangsoo Saeng Makgeolli (서울탁주 장수 생막걸리)

• Cheongju (Yakju) – 청주 (약주)

• Gyeongju Gyodong Beopju (경주 교동법주)

• Hansan Sogokju (한산 소곡주)

• Soju (소주)

• Andong Soju (안동소주)

• Jeonju Leegangju (전주 이강주)

• Munbaeju (문배주)

• Jindo Hongju (진도 홍주)

• Gwasilju (과실주)

• Gochang Bokbunja (고창 복분자주)

• Jinro Maehwasu (진로 매화수)

• Lotte Seoljungmae (롯데 설중매)

• tea

  

MUSIC:

• Traditional music (Hanguk Eumak): 

• Pansori 
• Pungmul 
• Sanjo 
• Jeongak 
• Nongak 
• Shinawi 
• Salpuri 

• Moderm music:

        K-pop, R&B, Hip Hop, electronic music.

• Super Junior  
• Girl’s Generation 
• F(x) 
• SS501 
• Bigbang 
• EXO
• SHINee
• CN BLUE
• Epik High 

and others.

SPORTS:

• Taekwondo
• Hapkido
• TaekkyonT
• Angsudo 
• Kuk sool won 
•  Soo bahk do 
•  Kumdo

FESTIVALS:

• New Year's Holiday (1 january) 
• 설날 (Seolnal) new year chinese. (january - february) 
• 삼일절 (Samiljeol) Independence Day of China (1 march) 
• 식목일 (Sikmokil) tree’s day (5 april) 
• 어린이날 (Eorininal) Children's Day (5 may) 
• Commemoration of the dead for their country 현충일  (Hyeonchungil) (6 jun) 
• 제헌절 (Jeheonjeol) Construction day  (july 17)
• 광복절 (Gwangbokjeol) Independence Day (august 15) 
• 개천절 (Gaecheonjeol) national day (october 3) 
• 성탄절 (Seongtanjeol) o 크리스마스(Christmas) (dicember 25)

ART AND RELIGION:

• Religions: Christian 26.3% (Protestant 19.7%, Roman Catholic 6.6%), Buddhist 23.2%, other or unknown 1.3%, none 49.3%

• Art: Painting, calligraphy, ceramic, landscaping, performing arts, dance, theater. 

HISTORY:

In 1948, following the division of the peninsula between the Soviets and the Americans, there were two new entities: North Korea and South Korea

In 1950, the communists in the north invaded the south, sparking the beginning of the Korean War. The war raged until 1953, and more than 2.5 million Koreans, Americans, Chinese, and others died. The war was never officially ended, and the Koreas remain divided.