Population: 51.8 million people live in South Korea (2020). The majority of the people live in the province surrounding Seoul in the north west of the country.

Capital: Seoul with 10 million inhabitants is also the country's biggest city

Name: 대한민국  Republic of Korea (ROK)

Government: Presidential Republic

Official Language: Korean

Literacy: More than 95% can read and write.

Religion: Main religions are Christianity (27%) Buddhism (15%), however many practise Confucianism regardless of their religious beliefs

Currency: 1 South Korean Won equals 100 Jeon

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National Anthem: Aegukga ('Patriotic Song')

National Symbols: Taegeuk (yin yang symbol). The national emblem Gukjang includes the yin yang symbol and the national flower combined. The National Flag is called Taegukki, the national colours are red, white, blue and black.

National Flower: Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon or Hibiscus syriacus) 

...National Emblem...

National Animal: Siberian tiger 

History: For many centuries, South Korea was an independent kingdom, but after 1905 the country was ruled by the Japanese. After Japan surrendered to the USA after the Second World War in 1945, Korea gained independence again, but the country soon was split between South Korea (which is largely supported by the USA) and communist North Korea along the 38 degrees latitude. Since 1953 South Korea's economy expanded successfully, while the people in North Korea are very poor and the relations between the two Koreas are very strained.

National Holiday: 15 August (Liberation Day)

President: Moon Jae-in (since May 2017; Next elections will be in March 2022)

...South Korea Geography...

South Korea is a mountainous country, with about 70% of the land covered by hills and mountains. Nam-san or Nam mountain overlooks the capital city of Seoul.

South Korea is located in Eastern Asia and sits on the southern half of the Korean peninsula. The only land borders are with North Korea with which South Korea shares the Korean peninsula. 

The Korean peninsula is surrounded by the West Sea/Yellow Sea, the South Sea/East China Sea and the East Sea/Sea of Japan.

...Map of the Korean peninsula...

South Korea has a coastline of about 2413 km/ 1500 miles in length. The capital city of South Korea is Seoul.

South Korea is roughly the size of England or Portugal and about ⅓ of the size of Germany. South Korea is slightly smaller than the US state of Pennsylvania or seven times smaller than Texas!

Seoul is the country's capital and largest city. It is situated by the Han River. A quarter of South Korea's population live in Seoul and the surrounding area. Myeong-dong, the main shopping district of the capital city, is a busy shopper's paradise with glittering lights and billboards.

...Gyeongbokgung Palace...

Bukchon Hanok Village, on the other hand, is the preserved old quarter and traditional Korean village you simply must see. Here you will also find Gyeongbokgung Palace. 

...South Korea's Jeju Island and Sunrise Peak...

Jeju island, or Jeju-do in Korean, is the country's largest island and one of the most popular Korean holiday destinations. With a mild climate and numerous possibilities to go hiking in the mountains, many come to visit the island, marvel at the rock cliffs and see the famous landmarks Halla-san or Sunrise Peak. Or one can enjoy lazing at the fabulous beaches, as there are lots of activities for the whole family. 

...Busan beach...

Busan is a large port city in the southern part of the country. In South Korea's second biggest city, you can do your shopping and temple tours but also relax at some stunning beaches. 

...Views from Jiri-san National Park...

And there you will be close to fascinating mountains too! The national park surrounding Koreas second highest mountain Jiri-san is only about three hours from the city of Busan.

Another great place to marvel at nature is Seorak-san National Park for its breathtaking mountains with its snowcaps. There is also the huge Great Unification Buddha statue which weighs over 108 tons and is 14.6 metres /48 ft high.

...Great Unification Buddha...

Pyeongchang is a winter resort in the north eastern region of South Korea. The city was one of the sites for the Winter Olympics 2018.

...The winter resort Pyeongchang...

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The city is a popular winter holiday resort and has all kinds of sports activities to offer and accommodation options are varied and plentiful. Did you know that the Olympic mascot, a white Siberian tiger, was called Soohorang?

People who visit Seoul can travel to Pyeongchang via the Korean bullet train.

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Most Koreans (81%) live in urban areas of the country. The lowlands around the capital city Seoul and Incheon are home to the majority the South Koreans.

The people in rural areas are still much poorer and many live a simple life. 

Many Koreans practise Confucianism which is an old tradition in many Asian countries. Confucianists follow the teachings of Chinese teacher and philosopher Confucius who told his pupils to lead a simple life, do good and respect each other.

...Confucius statue - image by Chaiyapak Mankannan...

Koreans celebrate the new year twice! The New Year celebration are on 1 January as most countries do and for Lunar New Year which is celebrated in February each year. 2020 is the year of the rat, 2021 will be celebrated as the year of the ox.

Children look very much forward to the Lunar New Year celebrations which are three days long. Over the new year children get gifts, often money wrapped in red envelopes or red packets, from family and friends. People in Korea will wear their traditional costumes, such as the hanbok, for national and regional cultural festivals.

Korean pop music, also called k-pop, has become famous worldwide especially after PSY's 'Gangnam Style' YouTube hit in 2013. Gangnam refers to the city of Seoul.

...Psy and his gangnam style...

...South Korea Facts | Korean Language...

Although Korean (also called Hangul) is the official language, in many regions people speak Korean dialects. Children learn Korean and English in school and most people speak English fairly well. Some schools offer Mandarin classes as well.

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The Korean alphabet has 24 letters and the language does not have any articles and does not follow a word order. The language is similar to Mandarin and Japanese in that that it is written and read from top to bottom and from left to right.

Korean is the language of both countries: South Korea and North Korea. Apart from using a slightly different accent and some dialects, the Koreans can understand and communicate with each other.

...South Korea Facts | Economy...

South Korea is one of the biggest economies in Asia and among the four 'Asian Tiger Countries' which also includes Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong.

The main trading partners are China, USA, Japan, Germany and Vietnam. Big Korean companies are Samsung, Hyundai, LG Electronics and Lotte Group.

The Lotte World Tower in Seoul is the highest building in the country and the fifth highest in the world.

...Seoul skyline and Lotte World Tower...

Coal, graphite and lead are among the main natural resources of South Korea.

...South Korean Facts | Korean Food...

Many Korean dishes are rice, vegetable, soya and meat based. 

Sesame seeds, chillis, kimchi and rice products are the most common ingredients in Korean dishes. Koreans mainly eat with spoons and metal chopsticks. The spoon is used for rice, stews and soups only. Here is some typical Korean dishes:

...South Korean Kimchi...

Kimchi: traditional dish made with fermented vegetables such as cabbage or leafy greens and chillis

Dak Galbi: spicy chicken stir-fry with sweet potatoes, rice cakes and vegetables

Bulgogi: grilled meat and vegetable dish

Jajangmyeong: very popular street food consisting of noodles, vegetables, fried pork or seafood in a thick black bean sauce.

Bibimbap: mixed rice with four to six different vegetables and often served with an egg that might be fried and sunny side up or raw as is shown below.

...Bibimbap...

...South Korea Facts | ...

...Korean Animals...

...Amur leopard...

There are many endangered animal species living in South Korea. Among them are the Siberian tiger, the Amur leopard, the golden eagle, the lynx and the Siberian musk deer.

Below you see animal statues at Heading Yonggungsa temple in Busan. These animals depict the twelve Zodiac signs. 

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...South Korea Facts | Resources...

Life in Korea. "Cultural Spotlight." Life in Korea. Last accessed 27 May 2020

Russell Holloway. "Korean Culture." Korean Language. Last accessed 27 May 2020

Mimsie Ladner. "10 Animals native to South Korea and where to see them. Culture Trip. 22 June 2017. Last accessed 27 May 2020.

Central Intelligence Agency. "South Korea." CIA World Fact Book. Last updated 20 May 2020. Last accessed 27 May 2020.

Ministers of the Interior and Safety. "National Symbols." South Korean Government. Last accessed 27 May 2020.