| ||||||
| Motto: "홍익인간" (Korean) "Benefit Broadly the Human World" | ||||||
| Anthem: Aegukga "애국가" (Korean) | ||||||
| Capital and largest city | Seoul 37°33′N 126°58′E | |||||
| Official languages | Korean | |||||
| Official scripts | Hangul | |||||
| Ethnic groups | Korean | |||||
| Legislature | National Assembly | |||||
| Formation | ||||||
| - | Gojoseon | 2333 BC[2] ~108 BC | ||||
| - | Kingdom of Koguryo | 37 BC~668 | ||||
| - | Kingdom of Baekje | 18 BC~660 | ||||
| - | Kingdom of Silla | 57 BC~935 | ||||
| - | Kingdom of Balhae | 698~926 | ||||
| - | Kingdom of Koryŏ | 918~1392 | ||||
| - | Kingdom of Joseon | 1392~1897 | ||||
| - | Korean Empire | 1897~1910 | ||||
| - | Period of Japanese Occupation | 1910~1945 | ||||
| - | Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea | 1919~1948 | ||||
| - | UN trusteeship[3] | 1945~1948[3] | ||||
| - | Republic proclaimed | August 15, 1948[3] | ||||
| Area | ||||||
| - | Total | 100,210 km2 (109th) 38,691 sq mi | ||||
| - | Water (%) | 0.3 (301 km2 / 116 mi2) | ||||
| Population | ||||||
| - | 2013 estimate | 50,219,669[4] (26th) | ||||
| GDP (PPP) | 2014 estimate | |||||
| - | Total | $1.755 trillion[5] (12th) | ||||
| - | Per capita | $34,795[5] (26th) | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | 2014 estimate | |||||
| - | Total | $1.308 trillion[5] (15th) | ||||
| - | Per capita | $25,931[5] (33rd) | ||||
| Currency | South Korean won (₩) (KRW) | |||||
| Drives on the | right | |||||
| Calling code | +82 | |||||
| ISO 3166 code | KR | |||||
| Internet TLD | ||||||
The name Korea is derived from the Kingdom of Goryeo, also spelt as Koryŏ.
Korea was inhabited as early as the Lower Paleolithic period and its civilization begins with the founding of Gojoseon in 2333 BC. After the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea in 668, Korea enjoyed over a millennium of relative tranquility under dynasties lasting for centuries in which its trade, culture, literature, science and technology flourished.
It was annexed by the Japanese Empire in 1910 and after its defeat in 1945, Korea was divided into Soviet and U.S. zones of occupation, with the latter becoming the Republic of Korea in 1948. Although the United Nations passed a resolution declaring the Republic to be the only lawful government of Korea,[13] a communist regime was soon set up in the North that invaded the South in 1950, leading to the Korean War that ended de facto in 1953, with peace and prosperity settling-in thereafter.
It was annexed by the Japanese Empire in 1910 and after its defeat in 1945, Korea was divided into Soviet and U.S. zones of occupation, with the latter becoming the Republic of Korea in 1948. Although the United Nations passed a resolution declaring the Republic to be the only lawful government of Korea,[13] a communist regime was soon set up in the North that invaded the South in 1950, leading to the Korean War that ended de facto in 1953, with peace and prosperity settling-in thereafter.
Between 1962 and 1994, South Korea's tiger economy grew at an average of 10% annually, fueled by annual export growth of 20%,[14] in a period called the Miracle on the Han River that rapidly transformed it into a high-income advanced economy and the world's 11th largest economy by 1995.
Korea hosted the 1988 Seoul Olympics and co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan. More recently, Korean dramas, movies, and K-pop music are attracting many audiences in Asian countries and beyond, creating what is being called the "Korean Wave." Korea's new standing in the international community was highlighted in 2010 with the nation becoming the first Asian country to chair the G20 and host the G20 Seoul Summit.
National Symbol
National Flag
The Korean flag is called Taegeukgi. Its design symbolizes the principles of the yin and yang in Asian philosophy.
On August 22, 1882, Park Yeong-hyo created a scale model of the Taegukgi to the Joseon government. Park Yeong-hyo became the first person to use the Taegukgi in the Empire of Japan on 1882. On January 27, 1883, the Joseon government officially promulgated Taegukgi to be used as the official national flag.
The white background is a traditional Korean color. It represents peace and purity. The circle in the center of the flag is divided into two equal parts. The upper red section represents the proactive cosmic forces of the yang. Conversely, the lower blue section represents the responsive cosmic forces of the yin. The two forces embody the concepts of continual movement, balance, and harmony that characterize the sphere of infinity. The circle is surrounded by four trigrams, one in each corner. Each trigram symbolizes one of the four universal elements: heaven, earth, fire, and water.
The four trigrams are described in this table:
| Name in Korean | Nature | Seasons | Cardinal directions | Four virtues | Family | Four elements | Meanings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | geon (건 / 乾) | sky (천 / 天) | spring (춘 / 春) | east (동 / 東) | humanity (인 / 仁) | father (부 / 父) | heaven (천 / 天) | justice (정의 / 正義) |
 | ri (리 / 離) | sun (일 / 日) | autumn (추 / 秋) | south (남 / 南) | justice (의 / 義) | daughter (녀 / 女) | fire (화 / 火) | fruition (결실 / 結實) |
 | gam (감 / 坎) | moon (월 / 月) | winter (동 / 冬) | north (북 / 北) | intelligence (지 / 智) | son (자 / 子) | water (수 / 水) | wisdom (지혜 / 智慧) |
 | gon (곤 / 坤) | earth (지 / 地) | summer (하 / 夏) | west (서 / 西) | courtesy (예 / 禮) | mother (모 / 母) | earth (토 / 土) | vitality (생명력 / 生命力) |
Thanks to Hangeul, Korea has achieved a nearly 100% literacy rate. The scientific and easy-to-write alphabet has also given the country an edge in the computer age
Language
All Koreans speak and write the same language, which has been a decisive factor in forging their strong national identity. The words and accent spoken by the people of the Seoul area are regarded as standard. Among regional dialects, that of the people of Jejudo Island off the South Coast is most distinct.
Hangeul, which consists of ten vowels and 14 consonants, can be combined to form numerous, syllabic groupings. It is simple yet systematic and comprehensive, and is considered one of the most scientific writing systems in the world. Hangeul is easy to learn and write, which has greatly contributed to Korea's high literacy rate and advanced publication industry. The original name was Hunminjeongeum (훈민정음).
Climate and Weather
Different sceneries depends on four different seasons
The Republic of Korea lies between 38ºN and 33ºN latitude and 126ºE to 132ºE longitude. The country has a continental climate of very cold, dry winters and very hot, humid summers. Winters are influenced by westerly winds from Siberia and the Mongolian plateau, while summers are generally characterized by an oceanic climate due to moist, warm winds from the Pacific Ocean. Korea has four distinct seasons, though spring and autumn tend to be short. Spring comes in early April and lasts throughout May. The hot and humid summer begins in June and lasts about four months. The summer rainy season lasts from the end of June to mid July. Summer ends in late September, giving way to crisp, clear autumn days that last until the end of October. It becomes colder in November, and a very cold, bleak winter sets in during December and lasts until the end of February.
Monthly Mean Temperature and Precipitation in Seoul
Source: Korea Meteorological Administration www.kma.go.kr
Topography
South Korea faces Japan across the East Sea and China across the Yellow Sea. To the north, across the DMZ, is North Korea.
The Taebaek Range, referred to as the backbone of the Korean Peninsula, stretches along the east coast and slopes steeply into the East Sea. Along the western and southern coasts, the mountains descend gradually onto the coastal plains, and large rivers wind through the area. The relatively wide plains stretch far from the mid-and downstream sections of the rivers.
How big is South Korea?
South Korea is 100,210 square kilometers or 38,691 square miles.
That’s about 20% the size of California (423,970 square kilometers). All of South Korea would fit in the area between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Comparing the sizes of South Korea and California.
Texas (696,241 square kilometers) is almost 7 times larger than South Korea
Comparing the sizes of South Korea and Texas.
It’s only 1/4 the size of Japan (377,944 square kilometers)
Comparing the sizes of South Korea and Japan.
South Korea is almost 1/3 the size of Germany (357,021 square kilometers)
Comparing the sizes of South Korea and Germany.
The United Kingdom (243,610 square kilometers) is 2.5 times larger than South Korea. South Korea, however, is roughly the same size as England.
Comparing the sizes of South Korea and the United Kingdom.
