Facts And Figures About Korea (Part 1)

General

Country name : Republic of Korea (South Korea)

Capital city : Seoul (10.0 milion)

National flag : Taegeukgi

National flower : Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon)

Curency : Won (US$ 1 = 1,257.5 Won , exchange rate at the end of 2008)

Language : Korean (Written from : Hangeul)

Location : Strategically located at the crossroad of Northeast Asia, Korea lies Japan , the Russian Far East and China

Territory:

-Korean Peninsula : 223,170 km square

-South Korea : 100,032 km square

Highest mountain : Baekdusan mountain 2744 m, Hallasan mountain 1950 m.

Longest river : Amnokgong river 790 km, Nakdonggang river 521.5 km, Dumangang river 521 km, Hangang river 481,7 km

Major cities : Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Ulsan.

Climate : Temperate with four distinct season

People

Population : 48.61 milion (South Korea, 2008), Foreign residents : 1.1 milion

Median age : 36.7 years (2008)

Economically active population : 24.3 milion (2008)

Population increase rate : 0.31% (2008)

Life expectancy : Males 76.1 years: Females 82.7 years (2007)

Religion : A 2005 census showed half of the population actively practice religion. Among this group, 10,726,463 Buddhists, 8,616,438 Protestants, and 5,146,147 Chatolics comprise the three dominant religions. The Constitution guarantees freedon for thought, conscience, and religion.

National Flag

The Korean flag is called Taegukgi. Its design symbolizes the principles of the Yin and Yang in Asian philosophy. The circle in the center of the flag is divided into two equal parts. The upper red section represents the proactive cosmics 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 the 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.

National Anthem : Aegukga

'Dong hae mulgwa Baekdusan i Mareugo daltorok.

Haneun i mi bo uhasa uri na ramanse

Mugunghwa sam cheo li hwa reo gangsan

Daehan saram Daehaneu rogiri bojeonhase'

To be continued...