Facts about Korea
- Learn Korean (Welcome)
- About the Program
- About Korea
- Study Korean
- Where to Study Korean
- Exchange
- Work in Korea
- People and Culture
Country
Name: Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Population: 47.925 Million (July 2003)
Surface Area: 99,000 sq km
Capital: Seoul
Government:
Democratic
Geography: The
Korean peninsula is nestled between China and Russia to the North
and Japan in the east. It is divided into the South and the North.
70% of South Korea is covered in mountains.
Climate:
Seoul's temperature ranges from zero degrees in the winter months
to over thirty in summer. The Southern part of Korea has a milder
climate. Winter is generally dry while summer brings monsoonal rains.
Economy/trade: Australia ranks
Korea as its 4th largest trading partner overall. Korea is ranked
3rd in export destinations for Australian goods. Korea's major
industries include manufacturing (telecommunications equipment, passenger
vehicles and electronics). South Korea is a major buyer of Australian
primary goods (petroleum, coal, gold etc) as well as services.
Note: North Korea, with a population of 22.5 million, is run by a centralist government. It remains a largely closed society, isolated from the outside world. In addition to North and South Korea, there are large Korean-speaking communities in the US and Australia.