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Location

The northern extremity is lat. 43 00'36'' N. (Pungso-ri, Onsong County, North Hamgyong Province), the southern extremity lat. 33 06'43'' N. (Is. Mara, South Cheju County, Cheju Province), the western extremity long. 124 10' 47'' E. (Is. Pidan, Ryongchon County, North Pyongan Province) and the eastern extremity long. 131 52'40'' E. (Is. Tok, Ullung County, North Kyongsang Province.)

Korea uses the local mean time at the mer. 135 E.

Its territory consists of the Korean Peninsula extending southward with 4,198 islands dotting around it, including Korea's largest Cheju Island, the Ullung and Tok Islands.

Korea has an area of 222,209.231 square kilometers, of which the islands constitute 5,974.655 square kilometers. The area of north Korea is 122,762.338 square kilometers, while south Korea 99,446.893 square kilometers. The maximum width from east to west is 645.25 kilometers.

Korea has land borders with China and Russia in the north, bounded by the Amnok and Tuman Rivers, and is bordered by seas on the east, west and south. The land boundaries are 8,103 kilometers while the coastline 18,313.44 kilometers.

Precipitation is moderate. The average annual rainfall is 1,120 mm, which is higher than the average global precipitation which is 800 mm.

Due to the seasonal winds the rainfall is particularly profuse in summer or the farming season. This is favorable for raising rice and other crops.

Korea is alternately visited by different air currents, causing climatic variations according to season. In winter, cold and clear weather prevails due to the dry and cold north and northwest winds. In summer, damp and warm south and southeast winds blow from the sea, bringing heavy rainfall. The rainfall during the summer season accounts for 50 to 60 percent of the total annual rainfall.

In spring and autumn, relatively warm and clear weather prevails with little rainfall.

Climate also differs according to region. This is because Korea lies stretched from the north to the south on the middle latitudes where latitudinal variations in the amount of solar radiation are greatest, and in addition, it has a complicated terrain and surrounded by seas on three sides.

Korea is maritime country, sea-bound on three sides. It has the East Sea of Korea, the West Sea of Korea and the South Sea of Korea, all of which are linked with Pacific Ocean.

Thirty seven percent of Korea's territorial water is 1,000 meters deep. The average depths are as follows:

The East Sea 1,668.2 meters, the West Sea 39.3 meters and the South Sea 442 meters. The deepest spot, which is in the East Sea of Korea, is 3,699 meters.

The East Sea of Korea is wide and deep and less affected by the water flowing from inland. The water is clear and its salinity is the highest among the tree seas of Korea. In contrast, the West Sea of Korea is shallow and greatly affected by the water flowing from inland.

People love to call Korea "Choson" i.e. "Land of Morning Calm," referring to its crystal-clear morning beauty.

According to historians, the name of the country "Choson" became widely known abroad as early as the 7th century B.C.

The English name of the country "Korea" derives from "Koryo," a first unified state which existed in the Korean Peninsula for 500 years since 918 A.D.

Some says that the name of "Koryo" came from "Kosansuryo," meaning "rich in picturesque high mountains and clear waters." Mountains account for almost 80 percent of the whole territory. Its average elevation is 440 meters above sea level. There are over 100 mountains more than 2,000 meters high. The highest is Mt. Paekdu (2,750 meters) which stands on the northern border. Besides Mt. Paekdu Korea has many high mountains such as Mts. Kumgang, Myohyang, Chilbo, Kuwol, Chiri and Halla, all of which command superb scenic views.