Map of South Korea
South Korea is a country in Asia with its capital at Seoul, home to about 51.68 million people across 100,295 km². The interactive map below plots 28 cities and towns, 3 rivers, 3 mountain summits and 14 ports recorded for South Korea in YearMaps.
- Population
- 51.68 million
- Area
- 100,295 km²
- Capital
- Seoul
- Continent
- Asia
Interactive Map of South Korea
Centred on Seoul at 37.5683° N, 126.9978° E. Use the layer panel to switch on rivers, dams, ports, peaks and historical borders.
About South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It extends over the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and includes the adjacent islands. It borders North Korea to its north along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east. . It has a population of about 52 million, of which half live in the Seoul metropolitan area, the world's ninth most populous metropolitan area; its other major cities are Busan, Daegu, and Incheon.
The Korean Peninsula was inhabited as early as the Lower Paleolithic period. Its first kingdom was noted in Chinese records in the early seventh century BC. From the mid first century BC, various polities consolidated into the rival kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. The latter eventually unified most of the peninsula for the first time in the late seventh century CE, while Balhae succeeded Goguryeo in the north. The Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) achieved lasting unification and established the basis for Korean identity. The subsequent Joseon dynasty (1392–1897) generated cultural, economic, and scientific achievements but maintained an isolationist policy from the mid-17th century. The short-lived Korean Empire (1897–1910) sought modernization and reform but was annexed in 1910 into the Empire of Japan. Japanese rule ended following Japan's surrender in World War II, after which Korea was divided into two zones: the Soviet-occupied northern zone and the United States-occupied southern zone.
After negotiations on reunification failed, the southern zone became the Republic of Korea in August 1948, while the northern zone became the Soviet-aligned Democratic People's Republic of Korea the following month. In 1950, a Soviet-backed North Korean invasion triggered the Korean War, one of the first proxy conflicts of the Cold War, which featured extensive fighting, drawing in the American-led United Nations Command and the People's Volunteer Army from China. The war ended in 1953 with an armistice with three million Koreans dead and both economies in ruins; due to the lack of a peace treaty, the Korean conflict officially continues.
South Korea endured a series of dictatorships punctuated by coups, revolutions, and violent uprisings, but also experienced a soaring economy and one of the world's fastest rises in average GDP per capita, leading to its emergence as one of the Four Asian Tigers. The June Democratic Struggle of 1987 ended authoritarian rule and led to the establishment of the current Sixth Republic.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia: South Korea (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Geography and Climate of South Korea
The first recorded kingdom (Choson) on the Korean Peninsula dates from approximately 2300 B.C. Over the subsequent centuries, three main kingdoms -- Kogoryo, Baekche, and Silla -- were established on the Peninsula. By the 5th century A.D., Kogoryo emerged as the most powerful, with control over much of the Peninsula and part of Manchuria (modern-day northeast China). However, Silla allied with the Chinese to create the first unified Korean state in 688. Following the collapse of Silla in the 9th century, Korea was unified under the Koryo (Goryeo; 918-1392) and the Chosen (Joseon; 1392-1910) dynasties. Korea became the object of intense imperialistic rivalry among the Chinese (its traditional benefactor), Japanese, and Russian empires in the latter half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. After the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Korea was occupied by Imperial Japan. In 1910, Japan formally annexed the entire Peninsula. Korea regained its independence after Japan's surrender to the US and its allies in 1945. A US-supported democratic government (Republic of Korea, ROK) was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, while a communist-style government backed by the Soviet Union was installed in the north (North Korea; aka Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside ROK soldiers to defend South Korea from a North Korean invasion supported by communist China and the Soviet Union. After the 1953 armistice, the two Koreas were separated by a demilitarized zone. Syngman RHEE led the country as its first president from 1948 to 1960. PARK Chung-hee took over leadership of the country in a 1961 coup. During his controversial rule (1961-79), South Korea achieved rapid economic growth, with per capita income rising to roughly 17 times the level of North Korea by 1979. PARK was assassinated in 1979, and subsequent years were marked by political turmoil and continued military rule as the country's pro-democracy movement grew. South Korea held its first free presidential election under a revised democratic constitution in 1987, with former South Korean Army general ROH Tae-woo winning a close race. In 1993, KIM Young-sam became the first civilian president of South Korea's new democratic era. President KIM Dae-jung (1998-2003) won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his contributions to South Korean democracy and his "Sunshine Policy" of engagement with North Korea. President PARK Geun-hye, daughter of former South Korean President PARK Chung-hee, took office in 2013 as South Korea's first female leader. In 2016, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against PARK over her alleged involvement in a corruption and influence-peddling scandal, triggering an early presidential election in 2017 won by MOON Jae-in. In 2022, longtime prosecutor and political newcomer YOON Suk Yeol won the presidency by the slimmest margin in South Korean history. Discord and tensions with North Korea, punctuated by North Korean military provocations, missile launches, and nuclear tests, have permeated inter-Korean relations for years. Relations remained strained, despite a period of respite in 2018-2019 ushered in by North Korea's participation in the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in South Korea and high-level diplomatic meetings, including historic US-North Korea summits. In 2024, Pyongyang announced it was ending all economic cooperation with South Korea, a move that followed earlier proclamations that it was scrapping a 2018 military pact to de-escalate tensions along their militarized border, abandoning the country’s decades-long pursuit of peaceful unification with South Korea, and designating the South as North Korea’s “principal enemy.”
- Location
- Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea.
- Climate
- Temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter; cold winters.
- Terrain
- Mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south.
- Highest point
- Halla-san 1,950 m.
- Lowest point
- Sea of Japan 0 m.
- Coastline
- 2,413 km.
- Land borders
- Total: 237 km; border countries: North Korea 237 km.
- Natural resources
- Coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential.
- Land use
- Agricultural land: 16.1% (2023 est.); arable land: 14.9% (2023 est.); permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.); permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.); forest: 64.4% (2023 est.); other: 19.5% (2023 est.)
- Natural hazards
- Occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest volcanism: Halla (1,950 m) is considered historically active; it has not erupted in many centuries.
- Geographic note
- Strategic location on Korea Strait; about 3,000 mostly small and uninhabited islands lie off the western and southern coasts.
- Languages
- Korean, English.
- Religions
- Protestant 17%, Buddhist 16%, Catholic 6%, none 60% (2021 est.)
- Ethnic groups
- Korean.
- Economy
- High-income, export- and technology-oriented East Asian economy; manufacturing led by semiconductor and automotive industries; slow growth amid declining construction investment, export risks, and recent political instability; aging workforce; increased restraint in fiscal policy while maintaining industry support initiatives.
From the CIA World Factbook (public domain), archived edition of 2026-01-22. The Factbook is no longer updated, so figures reflect that edition.
South Korea in Numbers
- Population
- 51.68 million
- GDP
- US$1.87 trillion
- GDP per person
- US$36,227
- Life expectancy
- 83.6 years
- Population growth
- -0.13% a year
- Population density
- 530 per km²
- Urban population
- 81.2%
- Surface area
- 100,460 km²
- Forest cover
- 64.4%
- Arable land
- 13.3%
- Access to electricity
- 100.0%
- Internet users
- 97.9%
Indicators from World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0). The year under each figure is its reference year.
South Korea in Depth
History
The Korean Peninsula was inhabited as early as the Lower Paleolithic period. According to Korea's founding mythology, the history of Korea begins with the founding of Joseon (also known as "Gojoseon", or "Old Joseon", to differentiate it from the 14th century dynasty) in 2333 BC by the legendary Dangun. Gojoseon was noted in Chinese records in the early 7th century. Gojoseon expanded until it controlled the northern Korean Peninsula and parts of Manchuria. Gija Joseon was purportedly founded in the 12th century BC, but its existence and role have been controversial in the modern era. In 108 BC, the Han dynasty defeated Wiman Joseon and installed four commanderies in the northern Korean peninsula.
Geography
South Korea occupies the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula, which extends some 1,100 km (680 mi) from the Continental and East Asian mainland. This mountainous peninsula is flanked by the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east. Its southern tip lies on the Korea Strait and the East China Sea. The country, including all its islands, lies between latitudes 33° and 39°N, and longitudes 124° and 130°E. Its total area is 100,472.4 square kilometers (38,792.61 sq mi).
Economy
South Korea's mixed economy is the 14th-largest by nominal GDP and the 14th-largest GDP by purchasing power parity in the world, identifying it as one of the G20 major economies. It is a developed country with a high-income economy and is the most industrialized member country of the OECD. South Korean brands such as LG Electronics and Samsung are internationally famous and have garnered South Korea's reputation for its high-quality electronics and other manufactured goods. South Korea became a member of the OECD in 1996.
Its massive investment in education has taken the country from mass illiteracy to a major international technological powerhouse.
Demographics
South Korea had an estimated population of roughly 51.7 million in 2022. The population more than doubled from 21.5 million in 1955 to 50 million by 2010. However, it was expected to peak at 52 million in 2024 and decline to 36 million by 2072, owing to a rapid decline in birth rates that began in 1960. South Korea's birth rate became the world's lowest in 2009, at an annual rate of approximately 9 births per 1000 people. Fertility saw some modest increase afterwards, but dropped to a new global low in 2017, with fewer than 30,000 births per month for the first time since records began, and less than one child per woman in 2018. In 2020, the country recorded more deaths than births, resulting in the first population decrease since modern records began.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: South Korea (CC BY-SA 4.0).
South Korea: Key Facts
| Currency | won |
|---|---|
| Official languages | Korean, Korean Sign Language |
| Head of state | Lee Jae Myung |
| Head of government | Han Seong-sook |
| Form of government | republic, presidential system |
| Calling code | +82 |
| Internet domain | .kr |
| Highest point | Hallasan |
| Lowest point | Sea of Japan |
| Established | 15 August 1948 |
Facts from Wikidata Q884 (CC0).
History of South Korea: Empires and States
The atlas records 20 polities whose mapped territory included part of South Korea, from Korean Jin in 197 BCE to 2024 CE. They are listed in the order they first appear.
| Polity | Period here | Extent |
|---|---|---|
| Korean Jin | 197–92 BCE | Most |
| Mahan | 91 BCE – 346 CE | A large part |
| Jinhan | 91 BCE – 377 CE | A small part |
| Dongye | 91 BCE – 391 CE | A small part |
| Byeonhan | 91 BCE – 566 CE | A small part |
| Baekje | 347–660 CE | A large part |
| Silla | 378–681 CE | Most |
| Goguryeo | 392–554 CE | A large part |
| The Tang Dynasty | 661–681 CE | A small part |
| Unified Silla | 682–935 CE | Nearly all |
| Hubaekje | 892–935 CE | A small part |
| Taebong | 911–921 CE | A large part |
| Goryeo | 922–1394 CE | Nearly all |
| The Mongol Empire | 1260–1293 CE | Nearly all |
| Yuan Dynasty | 1294–1362 CE | Nearly all |
| Joseon | 1395–1897 CE | Nearly all |
| Korean Empire | 1898–1910 CE | Nearly all |
| Empire of Japan | 1911–1945 CE | Nearly all |
| United States of America | 1946–1966 CE | Most |
| Republic of Korea | 1948–2024 CE | Nearly all |
Historical Maps of South Korea
South Korea on the world map in each year one of these states held it:
Derived by testing mapped cities against dated territorial polygons. Dates are when the polygons cover this place, not the polity's whole lifespan, and polities absent from the source dataset are not listed.
Visiting South Korea
South Korea (Korean: 한국, 韓國 Hanguk), officially the Republic of Korea (대한민국, 大韓民國 Daehan Minguk), is a country in East Asia. Known as the "Land of the Morning Calm", Korea has served as a cultural bridge between its neighbors, China and Japan, for a long time. In the 2nd half of the 20th century, South Korea emerged from the shadows of its turbulent past and achieved impressive economic growth, making it one of the world's most affluent countries today. South Korean pop culture, especially K-pop, is incredibly popular worldwide, driving higher levels of tourism to this nation. Despite their modernity and love for high technology, Koreans also take great pride in their history and traditions, and there many well-preserved historical sites that can give history buffs a glimpse into the ancient past.
Travel notes adapted from Wikivoyage: South Korea (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Largest Cities in South Korea
28 cities recorded. Ranked by metropolitan population. A port city's harbour is written up on the page of its sea.
| # | Name | Population | Region | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seoul | 9.80 million | Seoul | National capital |
| 2 | Busan | 3.48 million | Busan | Admin-1 capital |
| 3 | Incheon | 2.55 million | Inch'on-gwangyoksi | Populated place |
| 4 | Daegu | 2.46 million | Taegu-gwangyoksi | Admin-1 capital |
| 5 | Daejeon | 1.47 million | Daejeon | Admin-1 capital |
| 6 | Gwangju | 1.44 million | Kwangju-gwangyoksi | Admin-1 capital |
| 7 | Changwon | 1.08 million | Gyeongsangnam-do | Populated place |
| 8 | Suwon | 1.08 million | Gyeonggi-do | Populated place |
| 9 | Ulsan | 1.06 million | Ulsan | Populated place |
| 10 | Songnam | 942,000 | Gyeonggi-do | Populated place |
| 11 | Goyang | 903,000 | Gyeonggi-do | Populated place |
| 12 | Puch'on | 866,000 | Gyeonggi-do | Populated place |
| 13 | Cheongju | 775,096 | Chungcheongbuk-do | Admin-1 capital |
| 14 | Ansan | 739,493 | Gyeonggi-do | Populated place |
| 15 | Jeonju | 711,424 | Jeollabuk-do | Admin-1 capital |
| 16 | Pohang | 435,266 | Daegu | Populated place |
| 17 | Jeju | 408,364 | Jeju | Admin-1 capital |
| 18 | Yeosu | 341,994 | Gwangju | Populated place |
| 19 | Iksan | 283,501 | Jeollabuk-do | Populated place |
| 20 | Mokpo | 268,402 | Gwangju | Populated place |
| 21 | Gunsan | 244,080 | Jeollabuk-do | Populated place |
| 22 | Wonju | 243,387 | Gangwon-do | Populated place |
| 23 | Chuncheon | 226,509 | Gangwon-do | Admin-1 capital |
| 24 | Gangneung | 180,611 | Gangwon-do | Populated place |
| 25 | Gyeongju | 155,237 | Daegu | Populated place |
The other 3 (population, region, role)
- Andong · 129,319 · Daegu · Populated place
- Sokcho · 85,430 · Gangwon-do · Populated place
- Eumseong · 10,077 · Chungcheongbuk-do · Populated place
Highest Mountains in South Korea
3 mountains recorded. Ranked by summit elevation above sea level. A summit on a border is listed under both countries.
| # | Name | Elevation | Feet | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Halla-san | 1,950 m | 6,398 ft | Asia |
| 2 | Chiri-san | 1,915 m | 6,283 ft | Asia |
| 3 | Sorak-san | 1,708 m | 5,604 ft | Asia |
Halla-san
Mountain · 1,950 m
Halla-san is a mountain rising to 1,950 metres (6,398 ft) in South Korea, in the Asia region. From PeakBagger.com, with kind permission..
Hallasan (Korean: 한라산) is a shield volcano comprising much of Jeju Island in South Korea. Its summit, at 1,947 m (6,388 ft), is the highest point in the country. The area around the mountain is a designated national park, named Hallasan National Park. Hallasan is commonly considered to be one of the three main mountains of South Korea, along with Jirisan and Seoraksan.
The Hallasan Natural Reserve was designated as a South Korean Natural Monument number 182 on October 12, 1966.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Hallasan (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Elevation
- 1,950 m (6,398 ft)
- Global rank
- #425 of 641 indexed
- Region
- Asia (#152)
- Country
- South Korea
- Coordinates
- 33.3600°, 126.5200°
Of the 641 named summits indexed in YearMaps, Halla-san ranks #425 by elevation, below Olympus (1,951 m) and above Loma Mansa (1,945 m).
- Ranges:
- Hamgyong Mountains (Asia), Dabie Mountains (Asia)
- Neighbouring summits:
- Chiri-san (1,915 m), Sakurajima (1,117 m), Sorak-san (1,708 m)
More about Halla-san
Geology and geography
Hallasan is a massive shield volcano which forms the bulk of Jeju Island and is often taken as representing the island itself. There is a Korean traditional local saying that "Jeju Island is Hallasan, and Hallasan is Jeju." The mountain can indeed be seen from all places on the island, but its peak is often covered in clouds.
The soil of Hallasan is mostly made out of volcanic ash, volcanic sand, and lapilli. The organic contents of the soil are higher than any other soil in South Korea, and drainage is also better than any other place in South Korea, but its soil is relatively infertile. The volcanic island was constructed, starting in the Pliocene epoch, on the continental shelf, which is about 100 m (300 ft) below sea level in the area.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Hallasan (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Halla-san: Key Facts
| Topographic prominence | 1,947 m |
|---|
Facts from Wikidata Q494645 (CC0).
Chiri-san
Mountain · 1,915 m
Chiri-san is a mountain rising to 1,915 metres (6,283 ft) in South Korea, in the Asia region.
Jirisan (Korean: 지리산) is a mountain located in the southern region of South Korea. It is the second-tallest mountain in South Korea after Jeju Island's Hallasan, and is the tallest mountain in mainland South Korea.
The 1915m-high mountain is located in Jirisan National Park. The park spans three provinces: (North and South Jeolla Province and South Gyeongsang Province). It is the largest in South Korea. The largest proportion of the national park is in South Gyeongsang. The highest peak of the mountain, Cheonwangbong is also located in this province. Another well-known peak is Samsinbong (Three Spirits Peak).
Jirisan is at the southern end of the Sobaek and Baekdu-daegan mountain ranges, the "spine" of the Korean Peninsula incorporating the Sobaek mountain range and most of the Taebaek mountain range.
There are seven major Buddhist temples on Jirisan. Hwaeomsa is the largest and best-known temple among these. It contains several national treasures, mostly stone artworks from about 600–900 CE.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Jirisan (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Elevation
- 1,915 m (6,283 ft)
- Global rank
- #431 of 641 indexed
- Region
- Asia (#154)
- Country
- South Korea
- Coordinates
- 35.3368°, 127.7305°
Of the 641 named summits indexed in YearMaps, Chiri-san ranks #431 by elevation, below Oksskolten (1,916 m) and above Troglav (1,913 m).
- Ranges:
- Hamgyong Mountains (Asia), Dabie Mountains (Asia)
- Neighbouring summits:
- Halla-san (1,950 m), Sorak-san (1,708 m), Sakurajima (1,117 m)
More about Chiri-san
History
During the Korean War, North Korean troops occupied the region in 1950. After the United Nations forces took the area in 1951, a considerable number of North Koreans remained in the mountains, where they continued a guerrilla war, until they were finally beaten in 1955, two years after the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed by the belligerents. South Korea issued an "Anti-Guerrilla Warfare Service Medal" for its troops who fought in the area and a movie about the fighting was later produced. An earlier film, Piagol, about a group of North Korean soldiers in the area, was released the year the fighting ended.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Jirisan (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Chiri-san: Key Facts
| Topographic prominence | 1,696 m |
|---|---|
| Mountain range | Sobaek Mountains |
Facts from Wikidata Q483204 (CC0).
Sorak-san
Mountain · 1,708 m
Sorak-san is a mountain rising to 1,708 metres (5,604 ft) in South Korea, in the Asia region.
Seoraksan (Korean: 설악산), or Mount Sorak, is the highest mountain in the Taebaek mountain range in the Gangwon Province in eastern South Korea. It is located in the Seoraksan National Park, near Sokcho. After the Hallasan volcano on Jeju Island and Jirisan in the south, Seoraksan is the third highest mountain in South Korea. The peak Daechongbong (대청봉) of Seoraksan reaches 1,708 meters (5,603 feet). The mountain is sometimes considered the backbone of South Korea.
The mountain is also part of a biosphere reserve: Mount Sorak Biosphere Reserve.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Seoraksan (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Elevation
- 1,708 m (5,604 ft)
- Global rank
- #464 of 641 indexed
- Region
- Asia (#168)
- Country
- South Korea
- Coordinates
- 38.1419°, 128.4729°
Of the 641 named summits indexed in YearMaps, Sorak-san ranks #464 by elevation, below Newtontoppen (1,713 m) and above Volcán Wolf (1,707 m).
- Ranges:
- Hamgyong Mountains (Asia), Lesser Khingan Range (Asia)
- Neighbouring summits:
- Chiri-san (1,915 m), Paektu-san (2,744 m), Halla-san (1,950 m)
More about Sorak-san
Geography
Seoraksan is divided into Naeseorak (Inner Seorak), Oaeseorak (Outer Seorak), and Namseorak (South Seorak).
The area belonging to Inje-gun in the northwest. Daecheong-bong ou Daecheong Peak is called Naeseolak.
Naeseorak includes various features, such as Baekdam Valley, Gaya-dong Valley, Gugokdam Valley, 12 Seonnyeondang, Daeseung Falls and Yonga-jangseong (Fortress of dragon's teeth). In addition to Cheonbul-dong Valley, it is easy to access Ulsan Rock, Gwongeumseong Fortress, Geumgang Cave, Biryong Falls, and Toseong Falls.
Oeseorak (Korean: 외설악; Hanja: 外雪嶽) is the area belonging to Sokcho towards the east. It features easier hiking courses and is one of the most accessed areas of the park.
In Oeseorak, there is the Towangseong Waterfall, the highest waterfall in South Korea.
Mountain geography, fauna and flora
It was designated as Natural Monument No.171 in 1965, and as a national park (Mount Seorak national park) on March 24, 1970. In August 1982, UNESCO designated the area as a biosphere reserve.
The biosphere of Mt. Seorak is composed of different ecosystems due to a variety of climates and geographic characteristics. Its inland climate is composed of gentle slopes and thick soil layers supporting abundant forests and animal habitats. The mountain outcrop is a marine climate with steep ground. It attracts few visitors, but is home to rare animals and plants such as the long-tailed goral and the Asian black bear, both of which as been designated as South Korean natural monuments.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Seoraksan (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Sorak-san: Key Facts
| Mountain range | Taebaek Mountains |
|---|
Facts from Wikidata Q482644 (CC0).
Rivers in South Korea
3 rivers recorded. Listed alphabetically. A river is listed where its mapped reach lies, so long rivers appear under more than one country.
| Name | Type | Also Flows Through |
|---|---|---|
| Han | River | — |
| Nakdong | River | — |
| Namhan | River | — |
Ports in South Korea
14 ports recorded. Ranked by approach channel depth, the figure that limits which ships can call. Harbours link to their write-up on the page of the sea or coast they lie on.
| # | Name | Channel Depth | Class | Sea | Max Vessel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mukho | 42.1 m | Very Small | Sea of Japan & Sea of Okhotsk | medium vessels |
| 2 | Cheju Hang | 42.1 m | Small | Sea of Japan & Sea of Okhotsk | medium vessels |
| 3 | Kunsan | 38.4 m | Small | Yellow Sea & East China Sea | large vessels |
| 4 | Chinae | 38.4 m | Small | Sea of Japan & Sea of Okhotsk | medium vessels |
| 5 | Masan | 38.4 m | Minor | Sea of Japan & Sea of Okhotsk | large vessels |
| 6 | Inchon | 34.7 m | Major | Yellow Sea & East China Sea | medium vessels |
| 7 | Tonghae | 31.1 m | Very Small | Sea of Japan & Sea of Okhotsk | medium vessels |
| 8 | Pohang | 20.1 m | Small | Sea of Japan & Sea of Okhotsk | large vessels |
| 9 | Ulsan | 16.5 m | Minor | Sea of Japan & Sea of Okhotsk | large vessels |
| 10 | Daesan Hang | 12.8 m | Very Small | Yellow Sea & East China Sea | point_of_interest |
The other 4 (channel depth, class, sea, max vessel)
- Gwangyang Hang · 12.8 m · Minor · Sea of Japan & Sea of Okhotsk · large vessels
- Pyeongtaek Hang · 9.1 m · Minor · Yellow Sea & East China Sea · large vessels
- Mokpo · 9.1 m · Minor · Yellow Sea & East China Sea · medium vessels
- Yosu · 5.5 m · Small · Sea of Japan & Sea of Okhotsk · large vessels
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Korea
17 World Heritage Sites recorded. Listed by year of inscription, earliest first. Sites shared with another country appear under each.
| # | Name | Inscribed | Type | Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Janggyeon Panjeon of Haeinsa | 1995 | Cultural | (iv) (vi) |
| 2 | Jongmyo | 1995 | Cultural | (iv) |
| 3 | Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple | 1995 | Cultural | (i) (iv) |
| 4 | Changdeokgung | 1997 | Cultural | (ii) (iii) (iv) |
| 5 | Hwaseong Fortress | 1997 | Cultural | (ii) (iii) |
| 6 | Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites | 2000 | Cultural | (iii) |
| 7 | Gyeongju Historic Areas | 2000 | Cultural | (ii) (iii) |
| 8 | Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes | 2007 | Natural | (vii) (viii) |
| 9 | Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty | 2009 | Cultural | (iii) (iv) (vi) |
| 10 | Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong | 2010 | Cultural | (iii) (iv) |
Largest Islands of South Korea
1 island recorded. Ranked by mapped area. An island divided between countries is listed under each, with the area of the whole island.
| # | Name | Area | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cheju Island | 2,595 km² | Island |
Cheju Island
Island · 2,595 km²
Cheju Island is an island in Asia, covering an estimated 2,595 km².
Jeju Island (Jeju and Korean: 제주도; pronounced [tɕeːdʑudo]) is South Korea's largest island, covering an area of 1,833.2 km2 (707.8 sq mi), which is 1.83% of the total area of the country. Alongside outlying islands, it is part of Jeju Province and makes up the majority of the province.
The island lies in the Korea Strait, 82.8 km (51.4 mi) south of the nearest point on the Korean Peninsula. The Jeju people are indigenous to the island, and it has been populated by modern humans since the early Neolithic period. The Jeju language is considered critically endangered by UNESCO. It is also one of the regions of Korea where Shamanism is most intact.
Jeju Island has an oval shape and is 73 km (45 mi) east–west and 31 km (19 mi) north–south, with a gentle slope around Hallasan in the center. The length of the main road is 181 km (112 mi) and the coastline is 258 km (160 mi). On the northern end of Jeju Island is Gimnyeong Beach, on the southern end Songak Mountain, the western end Suwolbong, and the eastern end Seongsan Ilchulbong.
The island was formed by the eruption of a submarine volcano approximately 2 million years ago.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Jeju Island (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Feature class
- Island
- Mapped extent
- 2,595 km²
- Size rank
- #234 of 445 islands
- Region
- Asia
- Coordinates
- 33.4017°, 126.7123°
- Summits:
- Halla-san (1,950 m), Chiri-san (1,915 m), Sakurajima (1,117 m)
- Ranges:
- Hamgyong Mountains (Asia), Dabie Mountains (Asia)
More about Cheju Island
Climate
Most of Jeju Island has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa in the Köppen climate classification). Four distinct seasons are experienced in Jeju: winters are cool with moderate rainfall, while summers are hot and humid with very high rainfall.
Jeju City, the northern part of the island, tends to be colder in winter than the southern part due to the influence of continental seasonal winds. Gosan-ri, located on the west side of the island, has the lowest annual average precipitation on the island. However, unlike most parts of mainland Korea, the seasonal precipitation in Gosan-ri is evenly distributed. The Chuja Islands, which belong to Jeju City, are an archipelago located between mainland Korea and Jeju Island and also have a humid subtropical climate (Cfa).
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Jeju Island (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Cheju Island: Key Facts
| Area | 1,848 km² |
|---|---|
| Population | 583,284 |
| Highest point | Hallasan |
| Surrounded by | Pacific Ocean |
Facts from Wikidata Q29151 (CC0).
Visiting Cheju Island
Jeju Island (제주도,濟州島 and formerly romanized as Cheju) is an island off the southern coast of South Korea in the Korea Strait. Korea's largest island and a popular vacation spot and honeymoon destination for Koreans and Chinese, it is crowded with tourists all-year round. The main town and capital is Jeju City.
Travel notes adapted from Wikivoyage: Jeju (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Mountain Ranges, Deserts and Landforms of South Korea
2 mountain ranges, deserts and other landforms recorded. Ranked by mapped area. Covers mountain ranges, deserts, plateaus, named glaciers, plains, basins, peninsulas and capes. One that crosses a border is listed under every country it lies in, with the area of the whole feature.
| # | Name | Area | Type | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asia | 46.28M km² | Continent | Asia |
| 2 | Korea | 195,878 km² | Pen/cape | Asia |
Korea
Pen/cape · 195,878 km²
Korea is a pen/cape in Asia, covering an estimated 195,878 km². It extends across South Korea and North Korea.
Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in Asia in 1945, it has been politically divided at or near the 38th parallel between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK). Both countries proclaimed independence in 1948, and the two countries fought the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. The region is bordered by China to the north and Russia to the northeast, across the Amnok (Yalu) and Duman (Tumen) rivers, and is separated from Japan to the southeast by the Korea Strait.
Known human habitation of the Korean peninsula dates to 40,000 BC. The kingdom of Gojoseon, which according to tradition was founded in 2333 BC, fell to the Han dynasty in 108 BC. It was followed by the Three Kingdoms period, in which Korea was divided into Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. In 668 AD, Silla conquered Baekje and Goguryeo with the aid of the Tang dynasty, forming Unified Silla; Balhae succeeded Goguryeo in the north. In the late 9th century, Unified Silla collapsed into three states, beginning the Later Three Kingdoms period.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Korea (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Feature class
- Pen/cape
- Mapped extent
- 195,878 km²
- Size rank
- #42 of 231 landforms
- Region
- Asia
- Countries
- South Korea, North Korea
- Coordinates
- 36.3341°, 127.9913°
- Ranges:
- Hamgyong Mountains (Asia), Dabie Mountains (Asia)
More about Korea
Geography
Korea consists of a peninsula and nearby islands located in East Asia. The peninsula extends southwards for about 1,100 km (680 mi) from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the east and the Yellow Sea (West Sea) to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the two bodies of water. To the northwest, the Amnok River separates Korea from China and to the northeast, the Duman River separates it from China and Russia. Notable islands include Jeju Island, Ulleung Island, Dokdo.
The southern and western parts of the peninsula have well-developed plains, while the eastern and northern parts are mountainous. The highest mountain in Korea is Mount Paektu (2,744 m), through which runs the border with China.
History
The Korean Academy claimed ancient hominid fossils originating from about 100,000 BCE in the lava at a stone city site in Korea. Fluorescent and high-magnetic analyses indicate the volcanic fossils may be from as early as 300,000 BCE. The best preserved Korean pottery goes back to the Paleolithic times around 10,000 BCE and the Neolithic period begins around 6000 BCE.
Beginning around 300 BC, the Japonic-speaking Yayoi people from the Korean Peninsula entered the Japanese islands and displaced or intermingled with the original Jōmon inhabitants. The linguistic homeland of Proto-Koreans is located somewhere in Southern Siberia / Manchuria, such as the Liao river area or the Amur region.
Economy
One of the best known artefacts of Korea's history of science and technology is the Cheomseongdae, a 9.4-meter high astronomical observatory built in 634 CE.
The earliest known surviving Korean example of woodblock printing is The Great Dharani Sutra. It is believed to have been printed in Korea in 750–51 CE, which if correct, would make it older than the Diamond Sutra.
During the Goryeo period, metal movable type printing was invented by Ch'oe Yun-ŭi in 1234 CE. This invention made printing easier, more efficient and also increased literacy, which observed by Chinese visitors was seen to be so important where it was considered to be shameful to not be able to read. The Mongol Empire later adopted Korea's movable type printing and spread as far as Central Asia.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Korea (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Korea: Key Facts
| Area | 219,155 km² |
|---|---|
| On | Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea |
Facts from Wikidata Q18097 (CC0).
States and Provinces of South Korea
2 first-level divisions with their own map.
Countries Bordering South Korea
Land and maritime neighbours.
More Maps in Asia
South Korea: Quick Answers
- What is the capital of South Korea?
- The capital of South Korea is Seoul.
- What is the population of South Korea?
- South Korea has a population of about 51.68 million, the #29 largest of 225 countries in YearMaps. Source: World Bank, 2025.
- How big is South Korea?
- South Korea covers 100,295 km², ranking #110 by area, with about 515 people per square kilometre.
- Which continent is South Korea in?
- South Korea is in Asia.
- Which countries border South Korea?
- South Korea shares a land or maritime border with Japan, China, North Korea.
- What is the largest city in South Korea?
- Seoul is the largest city in South Korea, with a metropolitan population of about 9.80 million.
- What is the highest mountain in South Korea?
- The highest summit recorded for South Korea in YearMaps is Halla-san at 1,950 m (6,398 ft). Summits on a border are counted for both countries.