Geography

Korea is situated on a peninsula, which spans 1,100 kilometers north to south and lies between the East Sea and the Yellow Sea. The Korean Peninsula lies on the northeastern section of the Asian continent, in the northwestern corner of the Pacific Ocean. The peninsula shares its northern border with China and Russia. To the east lies the East Sea, and beyond neighboring Japan. In addition to the mainland peninsula, Korea also includes some 3,000 islands.

Korea encompasses a total of 222,154 square kilometers?approximately the same size as Britain or Romania. Excluding reclaimed land areas, almost 45 percent of the country--some 99,000 square kilometers--is considered arable. Mountainous terrain accounts for some two-thirds of the nation’s territory, giving the landscape an appearance similar to Portugal or Hungary.

The Taebaeksan range runs the full length of the east coast, where the lashing waves of the East Sea have carved out sheer cliffs and rocky islets. The western and southern slopes are rather gentle, with wide plains and offshore islands honeycombed with inlets.

The peninsula features many scenic mountains and rivers so that Koreans have often likened their country to beautifully embroidered brocade. The highest peak is Mt. Baekdusan in North Korea, which rises 2,744 meters above sea level along the northern border facing China. Mt. Baekdusan is an extinct volcano where a large volcanic lake, named Cheonji, has been formed. The mountain is regarded as an especially important symbol of the Korean spirit and is mentioned in Korea's national anthem.

Considering its territorial size, Korea has a relatively large number of rivers and streams. These waterways played crucial roles in shaping the lifestyle of Koreans, and in the nation's industrialization. The two longest rivers in North Korea are the Amnokgang River (Yalu, 790 kilometers) and the Dumangang River (Tumen, 521 kilometers). These rivers originate from Mt. Baekdusan and flow to the west and the east, respectively. They form the peninsula's northern border.

In the southern part of the peninsula, the Nakdonggang River (525 kilometers) and the Hangang River (514 kilometers) are the two major waterways. The Hangang River flows through Seoul, the capital of Korea, and serves as a lifeline for the heavily concentrated population in the central region of modern Korea, just as it did for the people of the ancient kingdoms that developed along its banks.

Surrounded by water on three sides, the ocean has played an integral role in the life of Koreans since ancient times, contributing to the early development of shipbuilding and navigational skills.