Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

(North and South Korea have been divided

by a ceasef ire agreement since 1953)

Yellow

Sea

Korea

Bay

East Korea

Bay

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S

tra

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Jeju^ Strait

East China Sea

Sea of Japan

(East Sea)

Geoje-do

Jeju-do

Ko-saki

Tsushima

Geogeum-do

Paengnyong-do

Sinmi-do

Chin-do

Namhae-do

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JAPAN

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SOUTH

KOREA

NORTH

KOREA

Paektu-san

2750m

Huich’on

Ch’osan

Changyon

Kosong

Sariwon

Najin

Namwon

Sunch’on

Ulsan

Chuncheon

Wonsan

Hamhung

Kanggye

Hyesan

Ongjin

Namp’o

Haeju

Kimch’aek

Ch’ongjin

Chongju

Sinuiju

Sinp’o

Mokpo

Jeju

Gunsan

Cheonan

Suwon Chungju

Donghae

Gangneung

Sokcho

Andong

Sacheon

Masan

Pohang

Gimcheon

Sangju

Gwangju

Busan

Daegu

Daejeon

Incheon

SEOUL

(SÔUL)

SEJONG CITY

PYONGYANG

Seoul

Seoul was the capital of Korea from 1394 to

1948, when it became the capital of South

Korea. It is a fast-expanding city of over 9 million

people. The orderly, rectangular street patterns of the city

center give way to sprawling suburbs on the low surrounding

hills. Seoul is a major commercial and manufacturing center,

with many small-scale textile factories. It is congested with

traffic, and pollution is becoming a major problem.

304

korea

Asia

Asia, history of

China

Communism

Japan

The KoreAn penInSulA has a long history

of invasion and occupation by its two powerful

neighbors, China and Japan. In 1948, it was

divided into Communist north and democratic

South, and the invasion of the South by the north

led to the Korean War (1950-53). The war

devastated both countries, but their subsequent

histories have been very different. South Korea,

once a rural society, became a major industrial

power, and one of the world’s leading ship-

builders and car manufacturers. It also became

a center of high technology and electronics.

The economy of the north, an isolated and

repressive Communist regime, is a marked

contrast. heavy industry has created severe

pollution, and nationwide electricity

blackouts are common. Floods

and droughts have wrecked

harvests and many

people suffered

great hardship.

norTh

KoreA

Area: 46,540 sq miles

(120,538 sq km)

Population: 24,983,000

Capital: pyongyang

Languages: Korean, Chinese

Religions: non-religious,

traditional beliefs,

Ch’ondogyo, Buddhist

Currency: north Korean

Won

gInSeng

Korea is a major exporter

of the valuable ginseng root,

believed to improve health, and

promote long life and vigor.

The Korean peninsula is bordered

by China and, in the far northeast,

russia. on the west, it is bordered

by the Yellow Sea and, in the east,

the Sea of Japan. The peninsula is

divided, along the 38th parallel,

into north and South Korea.

norTh KoreA

The Communist republic of north Korea

invaded the South in 1950, leading to the

Korean War (1950-53). The border that

now divides the two countries is the most

militarized in the world. north Korea

now has one of the world’s largest military

organizations, a huge army, and an

advanced arms industry. Its military

might is regularly displayed at

regimented parades.

SouTh

KoreA

Area: 38,502 sq miles

(99,720 sq km)

Population: 49,115,000

Capital: Seoul, Sejong

City (administrative)

Languages: Korean,

Chinese

Religions: Mahayana

Buddhist, protestant,

roman Catholic,

Confucianism

Currency: Won

Find out more

Volcano Mountain Capital

city

Large

city/

town

Small

city/

town

Ancient

monument

N

S

W E

0

0 50

50

SCALE BAR

km

miles

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