Korea, Land of the Morning Calm
South Korea, or officially the Republic of Korea, is a country on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. It is often called the "Land of the Morning Calm". South Korea is neighbored by China to the west and Japan to the east, and borders North Korea to the north. Its capital, Seoul, is said to be the second largest metropolitan city in the world. South Korea enjoys a temperate climate. The country is predominantly mountainous, and covers a total area of 100,032 square kilometers. With a population of almost 50 million, it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
Politically, South Korea is a presidential republic comprising 16 administrative divisions. According to history and archaeological discoveries, the Korean Peninsula has been inhabited as early as the Lower Paleolithic period. The history of Korea began with the founding of the Gojoseon kingdom in 2333 BC by Dangun. Following the unification of North and South States period under Goryeo 936 AD, Korea went through the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasty as one nation until the end of the Korean Empire in 1910. After liberation and division, South Korea was established in 1948 as a democracy. Following the Korean War, the South Korean economy began to grow significantly, transforming the country into a major global economy.
South Korea is a developed country with a high standard of living. It has the fourth largest economy in Asia and the 15th largest in the world. It is also the second largest advanced economy in Asia, classified by the IMF and CIA. South Korea is one of the world's top ten exporters, and is a leader in technologically advanced goods such as electronics, automobiles, ships, machinery, petrochemicals and robotics, headed by Samsung, LG and Hyundai-Kia. South Korea is a member of the United Nations, WTO, OECD and G-20 major economies. It is also a founding member of APEC and the East Asia Summit, and a major non-NATO ally of the United States.
South Korea Travel Information
Official Name: Republic of Korea
Capital: Seoul
Population of the South Korea: 48,422,600
Languages: Korean
Currency: South Korea Won
Religions: Buddhist (26%), Christian (26%), others
Size: 98,480 sq km (38,023 sq miles)
Region: Asia
South Korea Hotels
Search for the best hotel rates by comparing the prices from different online hotel booking websites. To get started, just click on Hotels in Korea.
If you are travelling on a budget, you may also checkout hostels in Korea. There are many throughout the country, and especially in Seoul and Busan.
Korea Location Map
View South Korea in a larger map
Photos of Korea
Namdaemun, Seoul
Author: Isageum (cc-by-sa-2.0)
Bulguksa, Gyeongju, South Korea
Author: eimoberg (cc-by-sa-2.0)
Geoneopo, Korean dried seafood
Author: Isageum (cc-by-sa-2.0)
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Places of Interest in Korea
Sights in Seoul
- Biwon
- Changdeokgung Palace
- Changyeonggung Palace
- City Hall Plaza
- Deoksugung Palace
- Dongdaemun
- Dongdaemun Sijang
- Gwanghwamun Intersection
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Hoehyeon Arcade
- Insadong
- Jogye-sa Temple
- Jongmyo
- Munmyo Shrines
- Myeongdong
- Myeongdong Cathedrals
- Nagwon Arcade
- Nakseonjae
- Namdaemun
- Namdaemun Sijang
- Namsan
- Namsangol Hanok Village
- National Folk Museum of Korea
- National Museum of Korea
- Royal Museum
- Seoul Tower
- Sungkyunkwan University
- Tapgol Pak
Sights in the vicinity of Seoul
- Amsadong Prehistoric Settlement Site
- Apgujeong
- Bongeunsa
- Daeheungno
- DLI 63 Building
- Gyeongdong Oriental Medicine Market
- Hangang Citizen's Park
- Hwanghakdong Flea Market
- Itaewon
- Janghanpyeong Antique Market
- Korea Exhibition Center (KOEX)
- Korea World Trade Center
- Lotte World
- National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts
- Noryangjin Fish Market
- Seoul Arts Center
- Seoul Nori Madang
- Seoul World Cup Stadium
- Walker Hill Resort
- War Memorial
- Wedding Street
- Yongsan Electronics Market
Cities and Sights of Gyeonggi Province South
- Caribbean Bay
- Dongincheon Station
- Everland
- Freedom Hill
- Heoninneung Royal Tombs
- Hwaseong Fortress
- Icheon
- Incheon
- Incheon International Airport
- Korean Folk Village
- Mak-a Buddhist Museum
- Namhansanseong
- National Stadium of Contemporary Arts
- Radio Hill
- Seoul Grand Park
- Seoul Land
- Silleuk-sa Temple
- Songdo Beach
- Suwon
- Wolmido (Moon Tail Island)
- Yeoju
- Yeongneung
- Yongju-sa
- Yunggeongneung
Cities and Sights of Gyeonggi Province North
- Aegibong Park
- Bomun-sa
- Bongcheonsan
- Bukhansan National Park
- Bukhansanseong
- Bungmun
- Daeseongdong
- Dobongsan
- Dongducheon
- Gamdeok Gyohoe (Episcopal Church)
- Ganghwa
- Ganghwa Jiseongmyo Dolmen
- Ganghwa-do
- Goryeo Palace
- Goseokjeong
- Gwangneung
- Jajaeam Temple
- Jeondeung-sa
- Manisan
- Odusan Unification Observatory
- Panmunjeon
- Prehistoric Dolmen
- Sambuyeon
- Sanjeonghosu Lake
- Sincheorwon
- Suraksan
- Third Tunnel of Aggression
Cities and Sights of Gangwon Province
- Cheongpyeong-sa
- Chuncheon
- Chuncheon Lake
- Gangneung
- Gyeongpodae Beach
- Gyeongpodae Lake
- Hwajinpo Beach
- Naksansa
- Namiseom
- Odaesan National Park
- Ojukheon
- Paroho Lake
- Soyang Lake
- Soyang Pavilion
- Seonggyojang
- Seoraksan National Park
- Sokcho
- Woljeong-sa
- Yanggu
- Yangyang
- Yongpyeong Dragon Valley Ski Resort
Sights of Seoraksan National Park
- Biryong
- Biseondae
- Geumganggul Cave
- Gyejoam Hermitage
- Hangyeryeong Pass
- Jangsudae
- Osaek Yaksu
- Rocking Rock
- Seorakdong Resort Complex
- Sinheung-sa
Cities and Sights of Chungcheong Province
- Baengmagang
- Beopju-sa
- Buyeo
- Buyeo National Museum
- Cheollipo Arboretum
- Cheongju
- Cheongju Early Printing Museum
- Cheongju National Museum
- Daecheon Beach
- Daejeon
- Eunjin Mireuk
- Expo Science Park
- Gap-sa Temple
- Geumsan
- Gongju
- Gongju National Museum
- Gwanchok-sa
- Gwongokdong
- Gyeryongsan National Park
- Independence Hall of Korea
- Nakhwaam
- Onyang
- Onyang Folk Museum
- Sangdong sanseong
- Songni Highlands
- Songni Village
- Songnidong
- Songnisan National Park
- Songsanni Burial Mounds
- Taean Haean Maritime National Park
- Tomb of King Muryeong
Cities and Sights of Gyeongsangbuk Province
- Andong
- Bokyeong-sa
- Bongjeong-sa
- Bongnae
- Buseok-sa
- Daegu
- Dalseong
- Dodong Yaksu
- Donghwa-sa
- Dosan Seowon Confucian Academy
- Ganggu
- Gatbawi
- Hahoe
- Hahoe Mask Museum
- Jeodong
- Jikji-sa
- Juk-do
- Jongnamsan
- Namyangri
- Palgongsan Provincial Park
- Pohang
- Sataegam Beach
- Seomun Sijang
- Taehari
- Ulleung-do
- Unmun-sa
- Yakjeon Golmok
Cities and Sights of Gyeongju
- Gyeongju
- Anapji Pond
- Bomun Tourist Town
- Bulguk-sa
- Cheomseongdae
- Dumulli Park
- Gyeongju Folk Craft Village
- Gyeongju National Museum
- Gyerim Forest
- Namsan
- Oreung Tombs
- Poseokjeong
- Seokguram
Cities and Sights of Gyeongsangnam Province
- Busan
- Beomeo-sa
- Chokseongnu
- Chungyeol-sa Shrine
- Daegu
- Dongnae Fortress
- Dongnae Hot Spring
- Gayasan Mountain
- Geoje-do
- Geumgang Park
- Geumjeongsan
- Geumjeongsanseong
- Gwaneum Hermitage
- Haegeumgang
- Haein-sa Temple
- Haeundae
- Hallyeosudo Waterway
- Jagalchi Fish Market
- Jinju
- Jinju Fortress
- Jinyang Lake
- Namhae-do
- Nongae Shrine
- Odong-do
- Songdo Beach
- Taejongdae Park
- Texas Street
- Tongdo-sa
- Tongyeongs
- Yeongnam Alps
- Yeosu
- Yongdusan
- Yonghwa-sa
Cities and Sights of Jeolla Provinces
- Baegyang Temple
- Boseong
- Dadohae Haesang Maritime National Park
- Damyang
- Geumsan-sa Temple
- Gwangju
- Gwangju National Museum
- Heuksan-gunda
- Hong-do
- Hwaeom Cave
- Jeonju
- Jeungsim-sa Temple
- Jin-do
- Jirisan National Park
- Maisan
- Maisan Provincial Park
- Moaksan Provincial Park
- Mokpo
- Mudeungsan Mountain
- Naejangsan National Park
- Namwon
- Songgwang-sa
- Ssanggye-sa
- Tapsa
Sights on Jeju-Do
- Gwandeokjeong
- Hallasan
- Hallasan National Park
- Hallim Weavers Village
- Jeju City
- Jeju-do Folklore and Natural History Museum
- Jeju Folk Village
- Jeongbang Falls
- Jungmun
- Manjang Cavern
- Moseulpo
- Samseonghyeol
- Seogwipo Town
- Seongeup
- Yongduam
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