South Korea with its huge variety of interesting places attracts large number travelers from all over the world. This country is visited by people who want to see with their own eyes ancient sanctuaries and innovative buildings, as well as relax body and soul on the beaches of Huende and Chungmun.

History of the country

The history of this state begins with the end of the Second World War. In the summer of 1945, the American and Soviet governments entered into an agreement to divide areas of influence on the peninsula. According to this agreement, until the formation of a common Korean state, the United States of America took responsibility for the disarmament of the parties, and the Soviet Union for the disarmament of the northern side.

Throughout the history of the state, the stages of democratic and authoritarian governance have changed. Each stage of government is designated by numbers from the First Republic to the modern Sixth Republic. The First Republic was democratic at its origin, but over time it became increasingly autocratic, until its end in 1960. The Second Republic was based on the principles of democracy, but existed for less than a year; after its end, a military government arose in the country. From the third to the fifth republic, the country had a fictitious democratic form of government, but in reality it was military rule. With the establishment of the Sixth Republic, government once again became democratic.

South Korea has overcome a huge path in the development of medicine, education, economics and culture. In the sixties of the last century, the country was considered one of the poorest and most undeveloped in Asia. And currently the state is one of the most developed in the world, it is even often compared to Japan. Since the nineties, Korean culture, including music, artistic art and cinema, is becoming popular all over the world.

South Korea on the world map

The map shows that the state of South Korea (REPUBLIC OF KOREA) is located in East Asia. The country is located in the south of the Korean Peninsula and has an area of ​​100,210 km2. Since South Korea is located on a peninsula, it has a land border with only one country, North Korea, this can be seen if you use a map. Between the borders of these two states there is an active zone in which any military actions are prohibited. Almost the entire country is surrounded by water; the length of the coastline is more than two thousand kilometers. On the western side it is washed by the Yellow Sea, on the southern side by the Korea Strait and the East China Sea, and on the eastern side by Sea of ​​Japan. Using the map, you can see that South Korea is located close to Japan and China.

Relief

Guests from Europe who visited South Korea noted that the country was like “an ocean in a powerful hurricane.” This phrase is true because almost the entire peninsula is shrouded in high massifs; they cover more than seventy percent of the total territory.

Unlike Japan, the Korean Peninsula is geologically stable. There are no active volcanoes and earthquakes almost never occur.

For centuries, the inhabitants of the country have cut down forests throughout the entire state, excluding only certain high areas. Excessive deforestation is considered one of the main causes of destruction of rocks and soils. Since the sixties, a project has been launched in the state that contributed to the regeneration of forests.

Climate

The climate of the state is mostly temperate monsoon. But in some areas there is a subtropical monsoon.

Winter in this country is relatively cloudless and dry. Temperatures range from -25°C to 7°C. Summer is warm, humid and quite long.

Vegetation

There are more than three thousand species on the territory of the state various plants. In coniferous and coniferous-deciduous forests you can find both taiga species - spruce, fir, and more heat-loving ones. Among the broad-leaved species, oaks and various types maples. In the dry areas there are pine trees, shrubs, plums and peaches.

Culture

The current level of culture of the Republic of Korea is based on the ancient traditions of the entire peninsula, just like the culture of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Despite the division of the Korean Peninsula into two parts, the cultures of the two states belong to the same origins, but in modern world vary significantly.

Education in this state is competitive in nature, since in order to enter a prestigious higher education institution you need to make a lot of effort. Majority educational institutions are located in the capital of the state - Seoul.

Foreign influence on the country came from America and European states. American films and TV series have become popular among residents. The cuisine has been diluted with many dishes from European and American menus; there are even a couple of fast food restaurants in the country. Also, there have been changes in Korean, due to the influence English language, expressions very similar to foreign pronunciation appeared.

The official name of the country is the Republic of Korea. In most other countries, the South Korean version is common to distinguish it from its northern neighbor.

The Republic of Korea is located in East Asia, in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. It is washed by seas on three sides: in the west – the Yellow Sea, in the east – the Japanese Sea, in the south – the East China Sea. There are many rivers in the territory.

The total area of ​​the state is 9972 square meters. km. A detailed map of South Korea shows that most of the country is occupied by mountains. The coast is heavily indented and surrounded by many small islands. Their total quantity about 3000, and the length of the coastline is 2413 km.

South Korea on the world map: geography, nature and climate

Those who want to find South Korea on the world map need to pay attention to the peninsula in the east of the Eurasian continent next to Japan. The only state with which there is a land border is the DPRK. Korea is separated from Japan by the Korea Strait and the Sea of ​​Japan (distance 200 km), and from China by the Yellow Sea (distance 190 km). In addition to the peninsula, the country includes the islands of the adjacent archipelago. Most of them are uninhabited, the largest island being Jeju. It also contains the highest mountain in Korea - extinct volcano Hallasan (1950 m.). In its crater is Lake Pannoktam.

Relief

Almost ¾ of the territory is occupied by mountains and hills. Most of them are concentrated in the eastern and central parts of the country. Several mountain ranges form the East Korean Mountain Range. Seismic activity is low - although earthquakes do occur, they are rarely destructive.

Natural resources

Mineral resources are scarce in Korea. There are small deposits of iron ore, gold, silver, lead, zinc, tungsten, etc. The bulk of the resources are imported from other countries.

Reservoirs

The country has an extensive network of rivers originating in the mountains and flowing into the Yellow Sea. On the map of South Korea in Russian you can find the largest of them: Naktogang (521 km), Hangang (514 km), Kumgang (401 km). Most lakes are artificial (Andong, Jinyang, Anapzhi). Natural reservoirs are of volcanic or relict marine origin.

Flora and fauna

Previously, forests were actively cut down in the country, which caused soil erosion. Reforestation began in the mid-20th century, and trees now occupy a significant area (about 65%). From coniferous species spruce, thuja, fir, and cedar predominate. Deciduous - oaks, chestnuts, lindens, hornbeams. In total, about 3,400 plants grow in natural conditions.

The forests are inhabited by wapiti, wild boars, foxes, deer, otters, and squirrels. Large predators - tigers, lynxes, leopards, bears - are less common. Birds live on the banks of rivers - herons, cranes, waders, ducks, guillemots, etc. sea ​​waters rich in fish.

Climate of South Korea

The climate type is moderate monsoon. South of the country and about. Jeju is located in the subtropical monsoon zone. The influence of air masses coming from the mainland is stronger than those moving from the ocean. About 100 cm of precipitation falls per year, but it is distributed unevenly throughout the year.

Korea has four distinct seasons. In winter there is relatively little precipitation. The weather is sunny, average temperatures: +6°C in the south of the country, -4°C in the central part and -7°C in the mountains. Minimum temperatures reach -25°C. Spring begins in March-April, the average temperature is +15°C, +20°C, there is little rainfall.

Summer is the rainy season (mid-June - early August). The weather is hot, daytime temperatures reach +30°C, +35°C, average temperatures are about +26°C, humidity 80%. In the mountains the climate is slightly cooler and drier. By autumn, the rainy season ends and the heat subsides. Average temperature October +13°C.

Map of South Korea with cities. Administrative division of the country

Basic principles of modern administrative division formed in 1896. The basic unit is the province (“before”). There are eight of them in the country. Provinces consist of cities and rural areas (counties). Cities, in turn, are divided into municipal districts (“gu”) and neighborhoods (“dong”), and counties into county towns (“Yb”), volosts (“men”) and villages (“ri”).

On the map of South Korea with cities in Russian, six largest metropolitan areas stand out: Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon and Ulsan. They have a special status of “metropolises”. There is also a "city special status" - Seoul and "city with special autonomy" - Sejong.

Since before World War II the entire Korean peninsula belonged to one state, the territory of the DPRK is still considered part of the country according to the internal classification of South Korea.

Seoul

Seoul is the capital of the Republic of Korea. According to internal classification settlements is considered a “city of special status” - the only one of all administrative units. Located in the north-west of the country, on the banks of the Han River. The Yellow Sea is nearby (15 km in a straight line) and the border with the DPRK (24 km in a straight line).

Busan

Busan, the second largest city in Korea, has metropolitan status. Consists of 15 municipal districts. Located on sea ​​coast, in the north of the city rises Mount Geumjeongsan. The climate is humid, subtropical.

Daegu

Daegu, like Busan, has the status of a metropolis. Located in the southeastern part of the country, in a valley. The city is surrounded by low mountains, which protect it from cold winds in winter and retain moist hot air in summer. Two rivers flow through Busan - Geumhogang and Naktong.

South Korea and its numerous attractions attract more and more tourists from all over the world every year. Those who want to see with their own eyes come here ancient temples And modern buildings, and also relax on the beaches of Jeju Island.

South Korea on the world map

South Korea ranks comparatively small area– 99.5 thousand sq. km., and the population of this country is about 47.9 million people.

Where is it located and who does it border with?

Looking at the world map in search of , it can be found in northeast Asia, more precisely on the Korean Peninsula. This country also owns several islands in Pacific Ocean. The largest of them are Jeju, Jedo and Kojedo.

Relatively close to South Korea are two large Japanese islands- Kyushu and Honshu.

In the northwest, South Korea borders DPRK, and on all other sides its extensive coastline is washed by three seas. On the western side the coast is washed by the Yellow Sea, on the southern by the East China Sea, and on the eastern side by the Sea of ​​Japan and the Korea Strait.

How to get there from Russia?

The easiest way to get to South Korea is go by plane from, as well as Novosibirsk and Khabarovsk. Flights are operated daily by Russian airlines S7 and Aeroflot, as well as a number of European airlines and airlines from Asian countries, including Korean Airline.

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Detailed map of the country with cities

South Korea is usually divided into 9 provinces, 1 city of special status, and 6 metropolitan cities. These units are divided into smaller entities such as cities, towns, counties, townships and villages.

Capital

The main city of the Republic of Korea is Seoul- the capital, which is the largest settlement with a population of 10.6 million people. It received its name in 1945 (translated as “capital”), and in 1948 the city became the official capital at a time when the country was divided into two countries: North and South Korea.

Today, Seoul is the economic, political, and cultural center of the country, attracting more and more travelers every year.

Tourists come here to see the sights of South Korea, national cuisine and various entertainments that this country offers.

The main attractions:

• Four royal palaces Joseon Dynasty;
• Oldest royal palace Gyeongbokgung era;
• Seoraksan Mountains;
• Seoul Tower;
• Myeongdong Cathedral.

In addition, Seoul has many natural attractions: parks, gardens and mountains.

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Major cities

Near Seoul there is another large city in South Korea - Icheon, which is home to about 2.3 million people.

Icheon is located on the shores of the Yellow Sea, so there are excellent conditions for relaxing on luxurious beaches.

Other major cities in South Korea:

1. Busan(4 million people) – the second largest city with the status of “metropolitan city”;
2. Daegu(2.4 million people) - a major transport hub along the route, with a lot of ancient attractions;
3. Gwangju(1.4 million people) is an ancient city and ancient capital Kingdom of Silla.

It is considered a fairly large settlement Jeju Island or Jeju, which is one of the best resorts Korea., and the rest of the population does not belong to any religion.

South Korea continues to be an amazing and multifaceted country, where the internal structure and ancient sights with a long history are perfectly combined.

In just a few decades of the last century, South Korea has transformed from economically backward, unknown to anyone, into one of the most highly developed countries in the world. Its goods are exported and enjoyed in great demand on the world market. And Korean pop music and TV series are becoming increasingly popular. However, Korea still remains a mystery to us.

If you do happen to visit the “land of morning freshness,” then you will have the opportunity to come into contact with this unusual eastern culture. Amazingly beautiful mountains, city streets constantly buzzing with life at night, ultra-modern buildings and ancient Buddhist temples... At the same time, you can feel how much care Koreans take towards their history and their native land. And it’s not surprising, because this manifests itself in literally everything: in food, home improvement, and, especially, in relation to nature and traditions.

A state with a five-thousand-year history

According to the legend of Tangun, the first ancestor of the Korean nation, the first mention of the state on the territory of modern Korea dates back to 2333 BC. After the decline of Ancient Joseon, as it was then called, the period of three states began. These were the states of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, created by various tribes and waging wars among themselves for supremacy on the peninsula.

Silla, increasing its military and cultural potential, and having managed to unite with the Chinese army, defeated its rivals Goguryeo and Baekje. The era of Unified Silla (668-935) began, when a single state was created on the peninsula for the first time. It was a time of magnificent flowering of culture with state patronage of Buddhism.

After the decline of Silla, a new dynasty came to power - Goryeo (918 - 1392). It is noteworthy that at the beginning of the second millennium, Europeans and Arabs learned about the Korean state, and the word “Koryo” became firmly entrenched in their pronunciation of the name of the country. This is where the modern name of Korea comes from.

A distinctive feature of the latter ruling dynasty Joseon (1392 - 1910) was that although the ruler was a monarch, he had a political counterweight in the form of Confucian-educated officials and scholars. During this period, both culture and technology developed widely, as exemplified by the creation of the Korean alphabet and various inventions (for example, the rain gauge).

Between 1910 and 1945, Korea came under the colonial rule of its neighbors, Japan. At that time, the policy pursued by the Japanese aimed at the complete assimilation of Koreans, depriving them of their national roots. It was forbidden to pronounce your first and last names in Korean, speak Korean, or even use the Korean alphabet. With graduation in 1945. World War II, Japanese army was expelled from the country, and the colonial stage ended.

After liberation in 1945, American troops were stationed in the southern part of the country, and Soviet troops in the northern part. Each of these two zones had its own military administration, and this became the first seed of the further division of the country. After the attack North Korea The Korean War began in the South, lasting from 1950 to 1953. As a result of the intervention of the allied UN forces and the Chinese army in the conflict, it ended with the final division of the country in 1953. The country was divided into the Communist-dominated Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the North and the democratic Republic of Korea in the South.

In the late 80s, political democratization was carried out in South Korea (direct presidential elections). Along with this, in relations with the North there was a departure from the attitudes of the times “ cold war", both countries focused their efforts on resuming political relations and peaceful cooperation.

Economy - “a miracle on the Han River”

Thanks to high economic growth rates, fiction Korea, along with Singapore and Taiwan, is called the Asian tiger. If in the 60s. gross national product (per capita income) was approximately $100 (which is comparable to similar indicators in underdeveloped countries of Africa and Asia), today it reaches more than $30 thousand.

Rapid economic growth was caused primarily by the new policies of the government that came to power in 1962. President Park Chung Hee. They aimed to support a close relationship between government and business, which helped limit imports to protect the economy, encourage investment in consumption and import of raw materials, and borrow technology. Since the announcement of the First Five-Year Plan, the Korean economy has grown at a rapid rate for 30 years, and the structure of the economy has changed significantly. If previously it relied mainly on agriculture and light industry, then in the 70s and 80s, shifted towards heavy industry. Currently, the service sector ( insurance companies, hotels, sports and entertainment facilities, restaurants, etc.) has become dominant in the economy, accounting for two-thirds of the country's GDP.

Now the largest industries are: electronics production, shipbuilding, automotive industry, construction and textile industry. South Korea is the world's fifth largest manufacturer of automobiles and the world's second largest manufacturer of boats and ships. The largest enterprises producing automobile products are Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, GM Daewoo Auto & Technology.

In addition, South Korea is one of the world's leading producers of consumer electronics. Among the main electronics manufacturers - LG, Samsung and Daewoo Electronics - produce almost the entire range of electrical products - video, audio equipment and household appliances, which are mainly exported.

About Korean culture and traditions

Despite its relatively small area, the country is home to about 50 million people. The main religions are Christianity (26% of the population) and Buddhism (23%), approximately 45% of the population do not identify themselves with any religion.

Respect for elders and hard work are the two main principles on which Korean culture is based. From early childhood, children are taught to address elders using special forms of respect. You cannot address an older family member by name, much less say “you” to him. It is not surprising that among the first questions asked when meeting an interlocutor will be about his age and social status. And they ask about this not out of idle interest, but in order to determine their position in relation to the person.

The rooms in the house where Koreans live are multifunctional. Depending on the circumstances, they can be used both as a bedroom and as a dining room. Most Koreans eat and sleep right on the floor, making a bed or setting up a table for meals. Since ancient times, it was customary in Korea to heat a room using hot air, which was pumped directly under the floor. Such traditional way heating is called “ondol”, which means hot stone. Now instead of modern apartments and in houses it circulates under the floor hot water, and the floor itself is usually covered with linoleum.

The main holidays in Korea are Chuseok (harvest and thanksgiving festival) and Seollal (Korean New Year), which are marked by lunar calendar. On these days, it is customary for the whole family to gather and eat dishes specially prepared for this occasion (for example, tokguk - soup with rice dumplings). Also an important part of the holiday are rites of remembrance of ancestors. During celebrations, Koreans like to dress up in traditional Korean attire - hanbok. Just 30-40 years ago, hanbok was everyday wear, but now it can be seen mainly at celebrations, weddings and national holidays.

The national cuisine of Korea is famous for its variety of dishes and, especially, for the large number of vegetables and herbs used in it. Main food product Since ancient times, rice has been According to tradition, a certain number of appetizers were served with the main course (from 3 types in poor families and up to 12 on the imperial table). Nowadays various types of meat, fish and all kinds of seafood are also widely used. Korean cuisine is unthinkable without kimchi (traditional pickled cabbage). Moreover, every family has its own secret of making kimchi, which is passed down from generation to generation.

What to see in Korea?

If you want to see ultra-modern Korea, then you should first visit Seoul, the largest business, financial and shopping mall countries. Most notable are: Building 63 (the tallest in the city), Seoul Tower and various amusement parks (Lotte World, Seoul Land). Gyeongbokgung, the main of the five large royal palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty, is also located here. And Changdeokgung Palace is famous for its beautiful garden, which was previously a favorite vacation spot for kings.

Busan is the second largest city in the country, called the main maritime capital of Korea. Known for its skyscrapers, beautiful beaches and the giant Gwangnam Bridge connecting the two shores of the bay.

For lovers of ancient antiquity, we advise you to go to the city of Gyeongju, which was previously the center ancient state Silla. There are many ancient fortresses, historical monuments, and museums. Since Buddhism is one of the main religions in the country, a huge number of Buddhist temples have been built here. Among them, those included in the list stand out world heritage UNESCO: Bulguksa Temple, as well as Haeinsa Temple in the Kayasan Mountains, where the famous Buddhist scripture Tripitaka is kept.

More than half of the country's surface is covered with mountains and hills. The most beautiful mountains are the extinct Hallasan volcano on Jeju Island, the Chirisan Mountains in the south (1915 meters), the picturesque Seoraksan Mountains (1709 meters) in the east and others. In almost any major city you will find national mountain parks. Since there are special hiking trails in such mountains, you can go there without special equipment. All you need is comfortable shoes and a desire to admire the beauty from the heights of a mountain peak.

Ski lovers will also have a place to demonstrate their sports skills. To the east, Gangwon Province is home to the country's highest ski slopes: Yeongpyeong Resort is known as the "Asian mecca of winter sports." The Winter Olympics will be held here in 2018.

A large number of beautiful beaches, both on the Yellow Sea and on the East (Japanese) Sea, will appeal to those who like to sunbathe and swim. The pleasure of contact with the sea will be enhanced by the varied resort infrastructure: various cafes, restaurants, equipment rental and much more. However, the swimming season does not last long: only from July to the end of August.

Separately, we should talk about Jeju Island, which is considered the main resort of South Korea. There is a mild subtropical climate, beautiful beaches, warm sea, mountains and waterfalls. Among the most interesting natural objects is Mount Hallasan - a once extinct volcano, which is interesting to climb at any time of the year. Manjangul Cave is famous for its mountain tunnels, through which streams of hot lava flowed during volcanic eruptions. In addition, new recreational areas for tourists are open and constantly appearing on the island: various parks, botanical gardens, museums, for example, chocolate and teddy bears. This island is one of Koreans' favorite honeymoon destinations.

In conclusion, one cannot fail to mention the demilitarized zone, stretching from west to east along the demarcation line (the border with the DPRK). A little over an hour's drive from Seoul there are facilities related to modern history Korea, namely - from Korean War 1950-1953 Regular excursions are organized here. Thanks to this, you can visit the so-called Freedom House. This is the main tourist attraction of the DMZ, from where you can see North Korean lands with your own eyes (though through binoculars).

Of all the countries in Southeast Asia, South Korea has always remained the most attractive for tourists. And this is not surprising, because this is where you can enjoy picturesque natural scenes and get acquainted with the mysterious and quite interesting cultural heritage of the “children of the sun.”

Particularly popular among tourists is the Changdeokgung Palace Complex, the so-called Palace of Prosperity and Virtue, located in Seoul. This real example how landscape architecture can be combined with virtually untouched nature.

South Korea on the world map
(map can be enlarged or reduced)

To get an idea of ​​the climate and cities of modern South Korea, I suggest taking a walk here. In the online window you can see the most beautiful panorama of Seoul. In the window you can have a 360-degree view and move along the street in different directions:

This is what the streets of Seoul look like:

If you want to get acquainted with the historical past of Korea, a real gift for lovers of mysterious buildings will be the Megalithic Burial Grounds - a complex of dolmens located near the cities of Gochang and Kwasun. Another interesting fact is that most of these monolithic burials are located in Korea.

And lovers of Buddhist art will find very attractive the historical territories of Gyeongju, which since ancient times were famous for the abundance of sculptures, pagodas and temples.

There is a place in South Korea for romantics too. Hwaseong Fortress, located in the South, can compete with European Gothic castles in its beauty and splendor.

Special significance local residents give cave temple Seokguram, which is a religious complex of exceptional importance. It is not for nothing that it is called a masterpiece of Buddhist art. Just look at the monumental statue of Buddha, as well as images of various deities, which are made with amazing realism and careful accuracy.

And of course, no tourist left South Korea without visiting the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. Created to perpetuate the memory of their ancestors, these 40 tombs represent the greatness and power of the departed emperors.