Korean Geography
A look at the populations, climates, and landscapes of North and South Korea.
Historic Korea traditionally consisted of the Korean Peninsula and its northern provinces. The peninsula extends from East Asia into the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and Sea of Japan. It borders China to the north and Japan across the Korea Strait. Since 1945, Korea’s territories have been divided between two nations. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or North Korea, occupies the northern half. Its total land-mass covers 46,490 square miles or 120,408 square kilometers. Its major city and capital, Pyongyang, is home to an estimated 3 million people. North Korea’s total population numbers around 25,248,140.
The Republic of Korea, or South Korea, is separated from North Korea by the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ. This line was originally drawn across the 38th parallel north, but it has shifted somewhat over time. South Korea extends from the DMZ to the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula. Its southernmost territory is Jeju Island. Overall, South Korea’s land area is 37,421 square miles or 96,920 square kilometers. Its major cities include its capital, Seoul (approx. population 9.963 million), as well as Busan (3.467 million), Incheon (2.763 million), and Daegu (2.221 million). South Korea’s total population is estimated at 25,248,140.
North Korea, from the CIA World Factbook.
The Korean Peninsula is rugged; about 70 percent of the peninsula is covered by hills and mountains. Its major mountain ranges run along North Korea’s border with China and down the eastern coast into South Korea. These lead into low-lying plains to the west. Rivers flow through much of the landscape, creating a complex ria coastline to the south.
South Korea, from the CIA World Factbook.
Korea's climate is temperate and frequently noted for its four distinct seasons. The peninsula sees heavy rains in summer before transitioning into cold, snowy winters. Southern regions tend to be significantly warmer and more maritime. Northern forests host species like fir, spruce, walnut, larch, and birch. To the south, cold-tolerant forests give way to oak, ash, pine, bamboo, and flowering trees. Its wildlife includes white-naped cranes, musk deer, goral goats, sea lions, and whales, among many other species. Rare populations of tigers, Amur leopards, lynx, and bears are best preserved in the DMZ.
References
Clark, Donald N. Culture and Customs of Korea. Greenwood Press. 2000.
Hwang, Kyung Moon. A History of Korea. Macmillan International Higher Education. 2016.
Kim, Djun Kil. The History of Korea. 2nd ed. Greenwood Press. 2014.
Ku, Yangmo, Inyeop Lee, and Jongseok Woo. Politics in North and South Korea. Routledge. 2017.
“The World Factbook: KOREA, NORTH.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 18 June 2018, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kn.html.
“The World Factbook: Korea, South.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 20 June 2018, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ks.html.
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