Capital
Seoul.
Area
99,313 sq kilometres (38,345 sq miles, excluding demilitarised zone).
Population of Korea South
47,925,318 (official estimate 2003)
Population of Seoul
9,853,972
(2000).
Population Density
482.6 per sq kilometre.
Geography
The Republic of Korea (Korea South) shares borders
in the east with the Sea of Japan (East Sea), in
the west with the Yellow Sea, in the north with
the demilitarised zone (separating it from the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea) and in the south with the Korea Strait.
A variety of bays, islands and peninsulas are in the Korea
Strait. Cheju-do, the volcanic island, lies off the southwest coast. Most area in Korea South
comprises
hills
and mountains and 30% of flat plain has the majority of
the population and cultivation. Most of the rivers rise from the mountains
to the east, flowing west and south and then to the Yellow Sea. The Naktong
River flows into the Korea Strait near the southern port
of Busan. The east coast is rocky and steep with
mountains rising from the sea.
Government
Republic since 1945.
Head of State: President Roh
Moo-Hyun since 2002
Head of Government: Prime Minister
Lee Hai-Chan since 2004
Language
Korean.
Religion
Mahayana Buddhism with a massive Christian minority. Also Confucianism
and Chundo Kyo, which is strange to Korea and combines elements
of Shamanist, Buddhist and Christian doctrines.
Time
GMT + 9.
Electricity
110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. Government policy is to take out the 110
volt supply and various hotels currently have a 220 volt supply.
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