South Korea

At a Glance

Official Name: Republic of Korea

Continent: Asia

Area: 37,911 square miles (98,190 sq. km)

Population: 47,904,370

Capital City: Seoul

Largest City: Seoul (18,850,000)

Unit of Money: South Korean won

Major Languages: Korean

Natural Resources: Coal, tungsten, graphite

The Place

South Korea occupies the southern half of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. More than 3,000 mostly uninhabited islands lie off the southern and western coasts. Including the islands, South Korea covers an area of 37,911 square miles (98,190 square kilometers). More than 80% of the land is mountainous, and about two-thirds is covered by forest. River valleys, hillsides, and some land along the coast are used for farming. The Southern Plain covers the southern coast of South Korea and is an important agricultural region. The Naktong River, 325 miles (523 kilometers) long, is South Korea's longest river. Seasonal monsoon winds blow in from the southeast during the summer, bringing hot, humid weather. A cold, dry monsoon blows in from the northwest during the winter, bringing cold weather. Summer temperatures average between 70° F (21° C) and 80 °F (27 °C). Average January temperatures range from about 35 °F (2 °C) in southeastern Korea to about -5 °F (-21 °C) in parts of the Northern Mountains.

The People

Koreans make up almost the entire population of South Korea. People of Chinese descent are Korea's largest minority. Korean is the official language of South Korea. About half of all Korean words come from Chinese. More than 75% of South Koreans live in cities because factories and businesses offer jobs. Cities also have universities and better health-care facilities. Many South Koreans, including those in rural areas, live in houses made of bricks or concrete blocks, with roofs of cement tiles. Most houses have floors of thick stone slabs covered by mats. Traditionally, channels under the floors carried hot air from the kitchen or an indoor fireplace to heat the rooms. In many homes today, pipes carry heated water under the floors for heat. Most people in South Korea wear Western-style clothing. However, many wear traditional clothing for special occasions. Such clothing for women consists of a long, full skirt and a tight-fitting jacket. Men wear loose-fitting trousers, shirts, and jackets. Life expectancy is 71 years.

Education

South Korea requires all children to complete elementary school, which is free. After completing elementary school, a South Korean student may go on to attend middle school and high school. Parents pay tuition for any secondary schools. Still, about 80% of children aged 12 to 17 attend secondary school. Technical training to prepare students for industrial jobs continues through all higher levels of education. More than 1 million students attend universities, colleges, and junior colleges in South Korea.

Government

Type: Republic

Structure: Executive

Leader: President/Acting Prime Minister

Defense

520,000 army personnel

2,050 tanks

43 major ships

461 combat aircraft

Popular Culture/Daily Life

South Koreans enjoy most sports common in the West, including baseball, boxing, golf, soccer, table tennis, tennis, and wrestling. They also enjoy martial arts such as judo and tae kwon do, the national sport. South Korean orchestras perform classical and contemporary Western music. Television networks regularly show dramas and comedies. South Koreans enjoy reading novels, short stories, and poems.