South Korea. Geography, description and characteristics. Regions and resorts of South Korea. The beaches of South Korea

The southeastern region of Korea is the richest in historical and cultural monuments. The Buddhist culture of the Silla era and the Confucian culture of the Joseon era are perfectly preserved here. In addition, you can better understand the history and culture of the country by visiting Korean museums. State museums display a rich assortment of imperishable artefacts, confirming Korea's rich five-thousand-year history.

The hot summer in Korea falls on the period from June to early September. Among the seaside resorts, Jeju Island is the most popular. The mild tropical climate, lush vegetation and well-groomed natural beaches of the island are famous far beyond the borders of the country.

Korea is an incredibly mountainous country with many first-class ski resorts. Heavy snowfalls in the northern and eastern regions of the country annually attract millions of tourists who want to enjoy the view of mountain hills covered with snow and high mountain slopes. The Alpine town of Pyeongchang (Gangwon-do) has been selected as the venue for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

There are a great many hot springs throughout the country. Travelers can choose the option that best suits them from a wide variety of sources, ranging from urban spas combining saunas and jimchilbang (Korean public baths) to open-air hot springs located within water parks.

Korea has a large number of amusement parks and special theme parks. Lotte World in Seoul is one of the largest indoor amusement parks in the world, and Everland Park is famous for being one of the world's most visited amusement parks.

Although Korea has a huge selection of shopping destinations in the form of department stores, shopping malls, and duty-free shops, true Korean shopping can only be experienced in traditional markets throughout the country.

If you are one of those people who enjoy scenic natural scenery, then Korea is perfect for your trip. There are about 21 national parks in the country, including three marine parks. Korea is truly a paradise for hikers.

South Korea: Oops, gangnam style!

South Korea (the official name of the country is the Republic of Korea) is famous for its ancient history and rich culture, the royal palaces of ancient dynasties and numerous fortresses, Buddhist monasteries and temples, healing mineral springs and attractive sandy beaches.

The amazing beauty of Korea's natural, historical and cultural heritage is preserved despite the country's difficult history. From megalithic ruins and ancient tombs to magnificent palaces and secluded Buddhist temples, a huge number of sights and centuries-old traditions are listed by UNESCO as a protected World Cultural Heritage. These cultural assets represent a valuable heritage received from the ancestors and serve as a reminder to future generations of the importance of national relics. Of particular note are the 40 royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, Changdeokgung Palace, Gyeongju Historic Areas, Seokguram Cave Temple and Bulguksa Temple, Jeju Volcanic Island, and lava tubes.

But very close you can see another Korea, whose dynamics of life violates traditional stereotypes. A country where advanced IT technologies flourish, where life is seething day and night, where tradition and ultramodernity coexist in interconnection.

The Korean economic miracle is so well-deservedly called. In the middle of the last century, South Korea was a poor state, the population here lived much worse than in neighboring North Korea. Now the South is one of the dozen largest economies in the world, and there is no desire to even mention the North. The Koreans themselves also try not to think about their northern neighbor. According to the laws of the Republic of Korea, there is no such state as the DPRK at all. The Korean Peninsula is depicted on local maps as a single country, the media also bypass this topic, but the demilitarized zone near the border and tunnels dug in the rocks by warlike northerners to move tanks are one of the main tourist attractions in South Korea.

The land of morning freshness, as the Koreans like to call their homeland, invariably continues to amaze travelers. Ecological "green" tourism has recently become a hot topic in Korea. Many regions of the country have started offering special walking and cycling tours, and have also begun to strive for slow development, which implies the preservation of local natural values ​​\u200b\u200band traditional lifestyles.

Of particular interest to tourists traveling in South Korea are traditional events such as templestay and hanokstey. Templestay is a unique opportunity to learn Buddhist culture by experiencing it firsthand. This program invites you to escape from the shackles of everyday life and feel inner peace. Cozy mountain temples, verdant forests, and refreshing breezes are what make Templestay in Korea so special. The Orders of Chogye and Cheongthae of Korean Buddhism provide the opportunity to live in Buddhist monasteries and join the ascetic lifestyle of monks.

Travelers who are interested in traditional accommodation and want to experience Korean hospitality should definitely try spending the night in a traditional Korean hanok house. Such houses are called living museums because they represent an outstanding example of the architectural traditions of ancient Korea and the social life of that era.

General information

Official name - The Republic of Korea. The state is located in East Asia on the Korean Peninsula. The area is 99,392 km2. Population - 50 004 441 people. (for 2012). The official language is Korean. The capital is Seoul. The monetary unit is the South Korean won.

The state occupies the south of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia and some nearby islands. It is washed by the Yellow, East China and Japan Seas of the Pacific Ocean. By land, it borders only with North Korea (DPRK); to the east, the narrow Western Passage (or Busan Strait), part of the Korea Strait, separates South Korea from the Tsushima Islands that belong to it.

The northern part of South Korea is dominated by a temperate monsoonal climate type, while the southern part is subtropical monsoonal. In the mountainous regions in the east of the Republic of Korea, more severe weather conditions are observed. Here, at altitudes of about 1000 m, in summer during the daytime, the air warms up to +25..+27°C, and at night it cools down to +13..+15°C. In winter, during the day, the air temperature fluctuates around 0°C, and at night it is -10..-8°C. In the flat areas in the northwestern part of South Korea, August daytime temperatures reach +30°C, and nighttime temperatures reach +22°C. In January daytime air temperatures are +2..+4°C, nighttime temperatures are -4..-6°C. The climate of the southern part of the country is milder. Here, in the plains, the daytime air temperatures in August are +28..+30°C, and the nighttime temperatures are +23..+25°C. In winter, during the daytime, the air warms up to +8..+10°C, at night it cools down to -1..+1°C. There are practically no frosts on Jeju Island.

Story

The Korean peninsula has attracted people since the Stone Age, about 70,000 years ago. In Korea, the starting point of the first state of Joseon is considered 2333 BC. e. Although, most likely, this happened in the IV-III centuries. Neighborhood with China led to the fact that in 108 BC. e. it was subjugated by the Han Empire.

The next stop on the way to Korea is the state of Goguryeo, whose name comes from the tribe of the same name that became its basis. In 37 BC. e. it achieved independence from . And until 668 AD. e., when China again subjugated its neighbors, it managed to leave its notes in the history of the peninsula and in the souls of people.

The state of Kore (935-1392) became the successor of Goguryeo in name and genetics. It created the world's first printed metal matrix, ahead of Gutenberg's experiments, and it also became the "matrix" from which the name "Korea" comes.

In 1231-1259, six Mongol invasions took place on Kora. Their result was dependence and tribute for the next 80 years. This story ended with the overthrow of the last king of Koryo U and the formation of a new Joseon dynasty, whose king Kongmin ousted the Mongols from Korea in 1350. At this time, Hanson (modern Seoul) became the capital of the state, and Confucianism became the official religion from 1394. The figurative name of Korea, as the "Country of the Morning Calm", is associated with the name of the kingdom of Joseon (cho - "morning", sleep - "bright").

But the country wrapped itself in its archaic traditions like a caterpillar in a cocoon. And this circumstance was tried to use by stronger neighbors. In the war of 1894-1895 it was China and Japan.

The victory and power over Korea went to Japan. King Kojong of Korea even fled the palace and lived in the Russian embassy for about a year. Then he returned, becoming emperor, without actually having any power. Moreover, from 1910 to 1945, the colonial dependence of Korea was formalized legally.

The defeat of Japan in World War II led to the expulsion of all Japanese from the country. But almost without intermission, the Cold War began. The north of the Korean Peninsula was occupied by the troops of the USSR, and the south. The difference in political poles created by this circumstance was so radical that in 1948 Korea was divided into two states: the pro-American (at that time) Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the pro-Soviet DPRK. The Korean War (1950-1953) cemented this status quo.

However, it was not until 1992, when the country's first civilian president was elected, that the Republic of Korea became a truly democratic state. With this last stage in the life of the country, its greatest successes and the growth of prestige in the world are associated. History has conducted an amazing experiment, showing how the same culture can dynamically develop if there is freedom, and end up in decline if it is squeezed, as in the DPRK, into the framework of a totalitarian state. Polls being conducted in South Korea show that many people believe that it is highly likely that in the future the two Koreas will become a single country. In the East they know how to wait.

Sights of South Korea

South Korea is an amazing and multifaceted country that makes a truly indelible impression on everyone who is lucky enough to visit it. Its charm lies in the harmonious synthesis of ancient culture and ultra-modern cosmopolitanism, ancient palaces and skyscrapers equipped with the most advanced technologies, megacities full of life and amazing natural beauty, which the Koreans managed to preserve almost in its original form.

The capital of country - Seoul. Finding yourself on the right side of the Han-gan River, on which the city stands, you will be transported hundreds of centuries ago, to the time when powerful royal dynasties ruled Seoul. Here is the oldest and largest palace complex of the city of Gyeongbokgung, dated back to the 14th century. On the this moment several museums operate on its territory at once, the expositions of which tell about the history of Korea, as well as about the life of its rulers.

Until recently, famous people remained in Seoul Great South Gate(Namdaemun). They say they never completely burned down. The gates were built at the end of the 14th century, when fortifications were being built around the city. They were the oldest wooden structure in Seoul and were considered the main national symbol. But, alas, on the night of February 10-11, 2008, they were also burned to the ground by a 70-year-old Korean old man who wanted to express his protest against the actions of the authorities in such a barbaric way (the authorities took away a piece of land from him, but did not pay enough, in his opinion , compensation). Only the lower stone part remained. There is no doubt that the gates will be restored in the near future, especially since after their last restoration in 2005, a lot of drawings were made. But, nevertheless, it will no longer be the original.

In the southeast of the province of Gyeongsangbuk-do, 370 kilometers from Seoul along the No. 1 road (Gyeongbu highway), connecting Seoul with Busan, is the ancient capital of Korea - Gyeongju. Gyeongju is located on the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan very close to Ulsan, one of the largest million-plus cities in the Republic of Korea. The Hyeonsangang River flows through the city, in the old days there were often large floods. The Taebaek Range located near the city forms a hilly urban landscape and a beautiful landscape.

The first mention of the city dates back to 57 BC. At different times it was called differently: Sorabol, Kerim, Kymson, Keishu. Gyeongju was the capital during the Silla era. It flourished especially after the creation in the 7th century of a single Korean state with the same name. It was here that the residence of the kings (vans) of Silla and all the court nobility was located. According to indirect data, about a million people lived in the city during the heyday.

In the 10th century, after the collapse of the state of Silla, Gyeongju lost its status as the capital, gradually its importance began to fall until complete decline. It acquired the status of a city again only in 1955. Now its population is about 280 thousand people, but this, along with Seoul, is the most visited place in South Korea by tourists, it is rightly called "a museum without walls."

Since the sixth century AD, Buddhism has become the official religion of the state of Silla (in Russian-language literature, there is also a variant of the name Silla). Active construction of temples, monasteries, pagodas begins. This period also includes the construction Temple of Bulguksa in Gyeongju. This word can be translated from Korean as "Buddha Land Temple" or "Land of Happiness". Since then, the temple has been destroyed, burned, and then rebuilt so many times that only stone fragments could remain from the first buildings. It is known, for example, that the temple was completely destroyed during the Imjin War with Japan in 1593. What can be seen now is the result of the last restoration of the monastery in the early seventies of the twentieth century Goths, carried out on the personal instructions of the then President of Korea, Park Chung-hee. Only the main buildings were restored, the ancient temple complex was much larger, including about 80 buildings. But even what is reconstructed leaves an unforgettable impression.

Many beautiful legends are told about the temple. One of them is about its first builder, Kim Dae Sung (or, in another transcription, Kim Tae Sung). According to legend, the construction is connected not with one, but with two of his lives at once, in accordance with the Buddhist concept of a series of rebirths. Legend has it that farmer Kim Tae-song worked long and hard to support himself and his widow mother. As a result of hard work, he finally managed to save up for a small plot of land. But when a monk came to the village for donations, Kim Dae Son gave his land to the monastery. After some time, he died, and on the day of his death, the Prime Minister of Silla heard a voice from heaven, announcing that his son Tae Song would soon be born. The son was really born, and with a birthmark in the form of the hieroglyph Tae Son. As they grow older, many wonderful stories happen to the child. One of them is with a bear, which he killed, and then, when the spirit of the bear decided to take revenge on him, he promised to build a temple in honor of this bear. He built and thus gained experience in building temples even before he became a Buddhist. And when he accepted a new faith, he used his experience to build two temples at once - in honor of his parents from a previous life (in which he was a peasant) - Seokguram Cave Temple, and in honor of his parents from the life he then lived - Bulguksa Temple . Thus, both of these temple complexes located not far from each other symbolize gratitude and love to sons. Interestingly, they are also included in the UNESCO world heritage list together, as one item on the list, as masterpieces of human creative genius.

Jeju- volcanic island. This is a very famous place not only in South Korea but all over the world. The island of volcanic origin, regular elliptical shape, is located in the extreme south of the country. In the center of the island is the extinct volcano Halla - the highest point in South Korea, the height of the volcano is 1950 meters. Jeju is the largest of the islands belonging to the Republic of Korea. The last time volcanoes on the island erupted a little over a thousand years ago, so now all of them, apparently, can be considered inactive. Jeju Island is surrounded by a ring road with a length of about 200 kilometers. You can rent a car in almost any hotel.

One of the symbols of Jeju Island - Tolharuban. Statue of a good-natured old man made of black lava. Tourists are told that if you rub his nose, then something good will happen there ... It seems that a child will be born, and a boy or a girl depends on which side to go to this grandfather. As a result, their noses are all erased. Once Tolkharubans were amulets for local residents. Some guides say that the statues were specially placed around the island by women so that the pirates thought that there were men on the island at the moment (although they, of course, were all fishing in the sea). But it is hard to imagine that even in the fog you can confuse the Tolkharubans with living men. They say that there are only a few ancient Tolkharubans left on the island. Almost everything is a remake, there are modern masters who make lava grandfathers.

South Korean cuisine

The main dish of the Korean table is rice, which is served with a variety of other dishes from vegetables, fish, seafood, soybeans, herbs and root crops, flour products.

A special place in the diet of Koreans is occupied by soups, often from pork chicken, fish and cabbage with a huge amount of seasonings (Koreans prefer spicy food, so red pepper is always present in their dishes). Almost no meal is complete without soup.

The national Korean cuisine has its own special dishes, for example, kimchi- a spicy dish of sauerkraut or radish. Koreans are sure that kimchi is an excellent cold remedy. In addition, there is an opinion that kimchi is an effective remedy for a hangover. hwe- a dish of raw fish with pepper, garlic, finely chopped carrots. Kuksu- homemade noodles made from unleavened dough, it is served with meat or chicken broth. Another national dish - pulgoji- fiery beef. The meat, cut into strips, is marinated in soy sauce, oil, garlic and cooked in a hot frying pan or right on the table.

The most popular street food is pancakes, specifically payon (green onion pancakes) and pindaeddok (pancakes with bean sprouts and pork).

Other examples of local culinary traditions are sanjok(steak slices with onions and mushrooms), kalbichim (steamed beef ribs), fresh abalone and shrimp from Jeju Island, served with mustard, soy sauce and chili sauce, and Korean seaweed (common throughout the Far East).

In Korea, you should definitely try the famous and popular herbal teas. If you want something stronger, pay attention to Suljip (wine bar), there are also pubs, " mccolejeep"- the Korean version of the beer.

As for desserts, no one can compare with Korean craftsmen in the preparation of confectionery from fruits: apples, pears, peaches, persimmons, chestnuts, dates.

South Korea on the map

South Korea is one of the most popular countries for tourism in all of Asia. This is not surprising given that South Korea has a large number of historical monuments, Buddhist monasteries, temples and pagodas. Tourists in this country are waiting for ski resorts, beautiful mountains, waterfalls on rivers, as well as long sandy beaches.

South Korea is located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. South Korea borders North Korea to the north, Japan to the east (via the Sea of ​​Japan), and China to the west (via the Yellow Sea). The total area of ​​the country is 99,392 sq. km, including the islands, and the total length of the state border is 238 km.

Most of the territory of South Korea is occupied by mountains and hills. The highest peak is Mount Hallasan, whose height reaches 1,950 m. Plains and lowlands make up only about 30% of the country's territory, they are located in the west and southeast of South Korea.

South Korea owns about 3 thousand islands, most of them are very small and uninhabited. The largest island of this country is Jeju, located 100 km from the south coast.

The capital of South Korea is Seoul, which is now home to more than 10.5 million people. Historians claim that Seoul already existed in the 4th century BC.

The official language in South Korea is Korean, which belongs to the Altaic languages.

More than 46% of the South Korean population consider themselves atheists. Another 29.2% of South Koreans are Christians (18.3% are Protestants, 10.9% are Catholics), more than 22% are Buddhists.

Under the current constitution, South Korea is a parliamentary republic. Its head is the President, elected for 5 years.

The unicameral parliament in South Korea is called the National Assembly, it consists of 299 deputies elected for a 4-year term.

The main political parties are the conservative Senuri Party, the United Democratic Party, and the Liberal Progressive Party.

The climate in South Korea is very diverse - continental and humid monsoon, with cold winters and hot summers. The average air temperature is +11.5C. The highest average air temperature is in August (+31C), and the lowest is in January (-10C). The average annual rainfall is 1,258 mm.

In the east, South Korea is washed by the warm waters of the Sea of ​​Japan, and in the west - by the Yellow Sea. The total coastline is 2,413 km. In August, the water off the coast of South Korea warms up to + 26-27C.

Most of South Korea's rivers are in the eastern part of the country. Many rivers flow into the Yellow Sea. The largest river in South Korea is the Nakdong River. Some rivers have amazingly beautiful waterfalls (for example, in the Cheongjeonpokpo Nature Park).

As such, the history of South Korea begins in 1948, when previously united Korea was divided into two states - the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the DPRK. According to mythology, the Korean state was formed in 2333 BC.

In 1950-53, there was a war between South Korea and the DPRK, in which the United States, China, the USSR and even the UN took an active part. A peace treaty between these countries has not yet been signed, and their border is separated by the Demilitarized Zone.

South Korea was admitted to the UN only in 1991.

The culture of South Korea is based on the centuries-old cultural traditions of the Korean people. The traditions and customs of the inhabitants of South Korea are unique, unless, of course, North Korea is taken into account (and this, of course, is impossible).

The most important holiday in South Korea is the Sol holiday, which is considered a reflection of the Chinese New Year.

In winter, South Koreans celebrate the Hwacheon Mountain Trout Festival and the Inje Icefish Festival.

At the end of March, Gyeongju hosts the annual liquor and rice cake festival, and in April (or May) South Koreans celebrate Buddha's Birthday. At the end of May, Koreans celebrate the Chungju Martial Arts Festival.

In September-October of every year, South Koreans celebrate the Chuseok harvest festival. These days, Koreans take a short vacation from work to visit the graves of their ancestors.

The cuisine of South Korea is based on ancient Korean culinary traditions. The main food products are rice, seafood, fish, vegetables, meat.

In South Korea, we recommend trying rice porridge, rice with vegetables, kimchi (sauerkraut or pickled cabbage), potato cakes, seafood soup, various fish soups, squid and octopus dishes, bulgogi (Korean kebabs), fried pork ribs , hodukvazha cookies.

Traditional soft drinks in South Korea are rice and barley decoctions, as well as decoctions and infusions of herbs and spices.

As for alcoholic beverages, local rice wine and soju rice liquor are popular in South Korea.

Remember "boshingtang" is dog soup. The South Korean government is trying to ban the preparation of this dish, but so far unsuccessfully. The dish "boshingtang" is usually consumed by South Koreans in the summer. South Korean men claim that this dish promotes stamina.

In South Korea, there are now several thousand historical, architectural and archaeological monuments. In terms of the number of attractions, South Korea occupies one of the first places in all of Asia. Some South Korean attractions are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (for example, the Buddhist temple of Seokguram). The top ten attractions in South Korea, in our opinion, may include the following:

1. Gyeongbokgung Royal Palace in Seoul
2. Hwaseong Fortress
3. Bulguksa Buddhist Monastery
4. Bulguksa Buddhist Temple
5. Cave Buddhist Temple Seokguram
6. Deoksugung Palace in Seoul
7. Li dynasty tombs in Gwangneung
8. Changdeokgung Royal Palace in Seoul
9. Posingak Bell Tower in Senul
10. Heongchunsa Shrine near Asan

The largest cities in South Korea are Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon and, of course, Seoul.

The best beach resorts in South Korea are located on the shores of the Sea of ​​Japan. The most popular beaches on the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan are Gyeongpodae near the city of Gangneung and Naksan near the town of Chongjin. Most of the beaches are surrounded by beautiful pine forests. The beach season in South Korea is very short - from July to August.

Another popular beach holiday destination in South Korea is Jeju Island, located 100 km from the Korean Peninsula. We also recommend that tourists pay attention to the beaches of Ganghwa Island in the Yellow Sea.

South Korea has many ski resorts that are popular among Asians. These ski resorts have a well-developed skiing infrastructure, and, in addition, the prices there are much lower than, for example, in Europe. The most popular ski resorts in South Korea are Muju, Yangji, Yongpyeong, Bears Town and Chisan Forest.

The skiing season is from the end of November to the middle of March. Some ski resorts use artificial snow, so they ski there all year round.

There are many thermal and hot springs in South Korea. Tourists are advised to visit the Yongpyeong resort in the east of the country, where there are excellent hot springs, the water temperature in which is + 49C. By the way, in this ski resort, tourists will also find good ski slopes.

Tourists from South Korea usually bring handicrafts, lamps, bookends, traditional Korean folk masks, dolls in traditional Korean clothes, Korean tea cups, necklaces, hairpins, bracelets, blankets, scarves, Korean sweets, Korean tea, Korean white wine

Banks:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-16:00

Supermarkets are open daily from 10:30 to 20:00 (close later on weekends).