Facts about Korea

Land

The Korean peninsula extends southwards from the north eastern section of the vast Asian continent, spanning 1000 kilometers north to south.

Korea lies adjacent to China and Japan .

It shares most of its northern border with China and touches Russia.

The peninsula is one of the most mountainous regions in the world, endowing the country with beautiful scenery.

Korea has a varied terrain , though about 70 percent of the territory is mountainous.

Korea has many scenic mountains and rivers, so koreans often call it the " land decorated with golden embroidery. "

Surrounding the peninsula on three sides, the sea has played a remarkable role in korean life since ancient times.

Territory

The combined territories of South and North Korea is similar to the size of Britain (244,100 square kilometers) .

South Korea alone is about the size of Hungary (93,000 square kilometers) .

There are about 3,000 islands belonging to Korea.

Nearly 70 percent of the Korean Peninsula is covered by mountains and hills.

Korea has a long coastline compared to its land area, and coasts are divided into the east, west and south coasts.

Climate

Korea is fully within the temperate zone and has four distinct seasons .

Spring and Autumn are rather short , but very pleasant with crisp weather , and many days of sunshine.

Autumn is beautiful with crisp air and blue skies.

People

Koreans have been called one of the hardest working peoples in the world.

Yet they have not sacrificed traditional traits of generosity and warmth.

Visitors often remark that Koreans are among the friendliest people they have met anywhere.

Language

The korean alphabet ,called Hangul, is composed of 10 simple vowels and 14 consonants .

Hangul was invented in 1443.

Koreans all speak and write the same language.

It is simple , but systematic and comprehensive at the same time.

Hangul is easy to learn and print, which has greatly contributed to Korea's high literacy rate and advanced publication history.

It is also easily appliable to computer systems.

Clothing

The Korean traditional costume ,Hanbok, has been handed down in the same form for man and women for hundreds of years, unchanged because they are well suited to climate and culture.

The beauty of korean dresses can be founded in the simple design and harmony of lines and colors of upper and lower pieces

Food

Rice , either plain or cooked with other grains , is the maindish at korean meals.

Next to rice comes Kimchi, a spicy vegetables dish.

A favorite dish is Bulgogi, strips of beef roasted over a brazier.

Festivals and Holidays

The pageantry, merrymaking and colorful rites of holiday festivals are an important feature of korean life.

The first day of the first lunar month has traditionally been the biggest holiday.

The entire family gathers together and , dress in their best clothes, observes ancestral rites.

Chusok, the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, a harvest and day of thanksgiving.

National holiday:

New Year's Day (Jan 1)

Independence movement Day (March 1)

Arbor Day (April 5)

Children's Day (May 5)

Memorial Day (June 6)

Constitution Day (June 17)

Liberation Day (August 15)

National Foundation Day (October 3)

Christmas Day (December 25 )