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The Korean peninsula extends southward from the
eastern end of the Asian continent. The peninsula
is roughly 1,030 km (612 miles) long and 175 km (105
miles) wide at its narrowest point.
Mountains cover 70% of Korea's land mass, making it
one of the most mountainous regions in the world.
The lifting and folding of Korea’s granite and limestone
base has created breathtaking landscapes of scenic
hills and valleys. The mountain range that stretches
the length of the east coast plunges steeply into
the East Sea, while along the southern and western
coasts, the mountains descend gradually to the coastal
plains that produce the bulk of Korea’s agricultural
crops, especially rice.
The Korean peninsula is divided just slightly north
of the 38th parallel. The democratic Republic of Korea
in the south and communist North Korea are separated
by a demilitarized zone.
South Korea’s 99,500sq.km is populated by 47.9 million
people (2003).
Administratively, the Republic of Korea consists of
nine provinces ; the capital Seoul; and the six metropolitan
cities of Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon
and Ulsan. In total, there are 77 cities and 88 counties.
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Geographic position - Between 33° and
43° north latitude, and 124° and 131° east
longitude (including Noth Korea) |
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Highest mountains in S. Korea - Hallasan
on Jeju Island, 1,950 meters (6400 ft);
Jirisan, 1,915 meters (6,283 ft); and Seoraksan,
1,708 meters (5,604 ft) |
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Rivers - Nakdonggang, 522 km (313 miles);
Hangang, 782 km (289 miles); Geumgang, 396
km (238 miles) |
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