South Korea Map

Description:

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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. It shares its northern border with North Korea (DPRK), with which it formed a single nation until 1945.

The country occupies an area of approximately 100,363 square kilometers (38,750 sq mi) and has a population of 52,080,000 (2024 estimate). Seoul, its capital and largest city, is a major global city and the country's economic, political, and cultural center, with a metropolitan area population exceeding 25 million people, making it one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world.

South Korea has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a developed, high-income country in just a few generations. This rapid economic growth, known as the "Miracle on the Han River", has made South Korea the world's 13th largest economy by nominal GDP and a leader in various industrial sectors, including electronics, automobiles, shipbuilding, and steel production. Major global companies like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG are headquartered in South Korea.

The country is known for its distinctive culture, which blends ancient traditions with modern elements. Korean popular culture, including K-pop music, Korean dramas, and Korean cinema, has gained significant international popularity in recent decades, a phenomenon known as the "Korean Wave" or "Hallyu." South Korea is also recognized for its technological advancement, with the highest smartphone ownership rate and internet penetration in the world.

South Korea is a presidential constitutional republic with a strong democratic system. It is a member of the United Nations, G20, OECD, and various other international organizations. The country successfully hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, and co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Japan, demonstrating its significant role in international sports and global affairs. The PyeongChang Olympics were particularly notable for fostering diplomatic relations between South and North Korea, as both countries marched under a unified flag during the opening ceremony.

The Facts:
Capital: Seoul.
Area: 38,750 sq mi (100,363 sq km).
Population: ~ 52,080,000 (2024 estimate).

Largest cities: Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Suwon, Ulsan, Changwon, Goyang, Yongin, Seongnam, Bucheon, Cheongju, Ansan, Namyangju, Jeonju, Hwaseong, Cheonan, Anyang, Gimhae, Pohang, Pyeongtaek, Jeju, Uijeongbu, Paju, Gumi, Siheung, Gimpo, Jinju, Gwangmyeong, Wonju, Gwangju, Yangsan, Asan.

Official language: Korean.
Currency: Korean Republic won (₩) (KRW).

Provinces: North Chungcheong, Gangwon State, Gyeonggi, North Gyeongsang, North Jeolla Province, South Gyeongsang, South Chungcheong, South Jeolla, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.