Geography
South Korea is a country located in the south of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. Since the country is located on a peninsula, it has only one land border (with North Korea (DPRK)), along which there is a demilitarized zone. See South Korea abbreviations.
Almost all of South Korea is surrounded by water, the coastline stretches for 2,413 kilometers. From the south side, the country is washed by the South China Sea, from the western side by the Yellow Sea, from the eastern side by the Sea of Japan.
The total area of South Korea is 98,480 km2, of which 290 km2 is occupied by water resources.
The peninsula stretches in the eastern part of Asia for about 1000 kilometers from north to south. There are more than 3.5 thousand islands around the peninsula, most of which are uninhabited.
The northern part of the peninsula is formed by the Tumangan and Yalujiang rivers, which separate the country from the northeastern Chinese provinces.
Most of the peninsula is covered with mountains. The highest point in South Korea is the Hallasan volcano (1950 meters), located on Jeju Island.
The longest river in the country is the Naktong River, reaching a length of 521 kilometers. Other major rivers in South Korea are the Hangang (514 kilometers), Geumgang (401 kilometers), Imjdingan, Bukhangan and Somjingang. The rivers are quite shallow, the water level in them depends mainly on seasonal changes.
Vegetation in South Korea due to the mild climate is very diverse. Oak and broad-leaved forests grow in the mountainous regions of the country – hornbeam, oak, birch, linden and others are common. Ginseng is widespread in foothill areas. Dense pine forests can be found along the lower mountain belt.
Climate
According to 800zipcodes, South Korea has a monsoon temperate climate type. Each season in the country has its own characteristic bright features. Every season here passes smoothly, changing one after another. Air masses moving from Asia have a special influence on the climate.
Winter in the country is relatively dry, long and cold, summer is humid, short and hot. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times of the year.
The temperature in the northwestern part of South Korea in January averages -2… -5 °С, in July – +23… +26 °С.
Winter on Jeju Island, unlike other areas, is the mildest. The average temperature in January is +1…+3 °С, in July up to +25 °С.
On average, more than 100 centimeters fall annually in the country. In drier years, the mark drops to 75 centimeters. The greatest amount of precipitation – the rainy season – falls between June and September.
South Korea, unlike Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan and China ‘s east coast, is less affected by typhoons. Every year, up to three typhoons pass over the country, causing floods.
Major cities of South Korea: Daegu, Busan, Incheon, Daejeon, Gwangju.
Famous ski resorts in South Korea: Hyundai Songgu, Yangji Pine, Enpyeong, Phoenix Park, Alps, Muju, Ganchor, Temyun Vivaldi Park.
Beach Resort: Jeju Island.
South Korean cuisine
The cuisine of the Republic of Korea is not at all similar to the cuisine of its neighbors – China and Japan. They are united only by the abundance of vegetables, fish and spicy dishes.
The basis of Korean cuisine is rice, cooked in all possible ways. Rice is the main meal, and all other dishes are considered only an addition to it. The most popular rice dishes are “pap” – pressed rice porridge; “tteok” or “chhaltok” – rice chops; “bibimbap” – pilaf; “gimbap” – a sandwich made from scrambled eggs, vegetables and rice; as well as just rice with scrambled eggs, cold vegetables and many other additives.
Snacks – panchang – served with rice to add extra flavor are very diverse. Snack plates are usually placed around the main bowl of rice. As for appetizers, you should definitely try numerous pickled vegetables ; “kimchi” – a spicy dish of vegetables such as radish or sauerkraut; “tubu” – soybean curd; “tothorimuk” – jelly from acorns; “Gamjachzhon” – potato cakes; as well as many other dishes.
Soups occupy an equally important place in Korean cuisine. Among them:
- “Kalbi than” – ribs in beef broth;
- “sundubu chige” – soy soup with clams and egg yolk;
- “dwenjan chige” – thick soup with fermented soybean paste;
- “hamul than” – spicy soup from seafood;
- “meunthan” – also a spicy fish soup;
- “cook” – soup, which is usually served with boiled rice;
- “khonnamulguk” – soup with the addition of sprouted soybeans;
- “luotal” – meat and rice soup; laminaria soup.
Without sea fish and other seafood, South Korean cuisine is almost impossible to imagine. Almost everything is used in dishes, including squid, seaweed, sea shells, crabs, sea cucumbers and more.
Particular attention should be paid to the following dishes:
- “khwe” – a dish of very finely chopped raw fish;
- “senson gui” – fried fish;
- “hamul chongol” – seafood hodgepodge;
- “chhuotan” – fish soup from loach;
- “oktomkui” – fried crucian carp;
- “pajon” – a flatbread with seafood and onions;
- seaweed salads ;
- “odjino” and “nakji” – squid and octopus dishes;
- “chonbokchuk” – abalone porridge;
- shellfish in citrus sauce.
Meat is mainly represented by pork or beef. Koreans’ favorite dishes are “bulgogi” – kebabs and “kalbi” – fried pork or beef ribs. Quite common are dishes such as “kalbichim” – a stew with beef and pork ribs; “takkalbi” – chicken stew with rice, potatoes and seaweed; “mandu” – dumplings; omelettes with various fillings, marinated meat and some exotic dishes.
Desserts in Korean cuisine are fruits, usually candied or served as smoothies and fruit salads. The most favorite delicacy of the people of South Korea is “hodukwazha” – a cookie shaped like a walnut.
Of the non-alcoholic drinks, herbal tinctures are popular, which the Koreans call tea ( cha ). Recently, coffee began to be imported into the country, which began to be consumed everywhere.
From alcoholic beverages, traditional Korean rice wine is used – nonju or makkori, as well as rice liquor similar to vodka – soju. Grape wines are almost non-existent. Koreans prefer stronger drinks, mostly imported ones. Local beer is also made from rice and has a very specific taste, but you can always buy the usual foreign beer in stores.
