Korean peninsula: area, population, history

The countries of the Republic of Korea and North Korea, united by one peninsula, are located in the east of Asia. They are washed by the Sea of Japan, the Jeju and Korean Straits, the Yellow Sea.

The area of the Korean peninsula is more than 220 thousand km ² , and the length is 1,000 km. Most of the territory is occupied by mountains, therefore, the relief has mainly a mountain base. On the border of the Republic of China and North Korea is the highest point - Paektusan. Its height is 2744 m.

The coast of the Korean peninsula is mountainous, rectilinear, in some places flat with bays and various in size bays. Not far from the Yellow Sea is the Korean archipelago, as well as Jeju.

In the south of the peninsula, the climate is subtropical, in other parts - monsoon. In January, the temperature fluctuates from +4 ° C to -20 ° C. In July, these figures rise to +24 .. + 26 ° C. Precipitation reaches 1500 mm per year. The Korean Peninsula is rich in rivers and ponds, so they are often used by residents for watering and drinking.

Some part of Korea is covered with bushes and dense forests. The latter consist of oak, ash, and chestnut, other trees are rare. Occasionally come across meadow steppes. The governments of South and North Korea also support several national parks.

North Korea

The northern side of such geological formation as the Korean Peninsula, whose countries are not the last in the economic and political spheres of activity, is the title of a nuclear power. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) or, according to the terminology used in the media, North Korea is far behind in the development of technology, science and culture, but the army of this state and weapons make the whole world shudder.

Is a "neighbor" of China, the Russian Federation, South Korea. Because of disagreements with the latter, it is divided by a demilitarized zone. It is washed by the Yellow and Japanese seas. The capital of North Korea is Pyongyang.

The North emerged as a separate state a few days after the proclamation of the South - September 9, 1948. The power is concentrated in the hands of the TPK, which stands for the Korean Workers' Party, whose leader is the powerful Kim Jong Un.

History of the DPRK

For a long time, the Korean peninsula was the possession of Japan, but in 1945 everything changed, and the north went under the control of the USSR.

Because the opponents did not expect a quick split of the Land of the Rising Sun, they were not at all ready to discuss the question of Korea. At the same time, the indigenous people fought for independence, created their own parties, and after a while the Provisional People's Committee of North Korea appeared. In response to the proclamation of the South on independence, the DPRK on September 9 announces the formation of its full-fledged state.

The greatest imprint on the state itself was left by the Korean War, which has not yet been officially completed. As a result of this conflict, the DPRK lags behind in the development of most spheres of life, it is considered one of the poor countries. The leader of the country pays most of the state budget for the army, providing soldiers with food, clothing and modern weapons.

In the 1980s, one of the rulers, despite everything, continued its policy, which led North Korea to default. A few years later, a famine began, from which about 300 thousand people died. The country's economy began to increase only by 2002, when the government finally embarked on the path of reforms.

The population of the DPRK

As of 2011, the population of North Korea is just over 24 million people. For comparison: the population of the Korean peninsula exceeds 78 million. That is, it is noticeable that the Republic remains the leader in this matter.

The policy of the northern state is such that there are practically no other nationalities living there except the native Koreans. Moreover, the presence of South Korean citizens in this state without a valid reason (business trip, service, etc.) is punishable by law (as a rule, people are deported and judged). The Chinese, Mongols, Russians and Japanese in North Korea account for less than 1% of the total population. They all speak the local language.

The most common religions are Buddhism, Confucianism and Christianity. Sects and independent religious organizations are prohibited.

South Korea

The Republic of Korea, South Korea or just Korea is all the same state located in the east of Asia, namely, on the land called the Korean Peninsula. Seoul is recognized as the capital.

History of the Republic of Korea

As already mentioned, the peninsula is historically divided into two separate states after the Korean War. It is from then on that the demilitarized zone lies between them. After the territory was liberated from the Japanese invaders, the south could not recover for a long time. First, the losses that have been inflicted can not be quickly restored. Secondly, the new government (the US) did not immediately understand the tactics with which it would be easy to manage the Koreans. And thirdly, the refugees who fled the country began to return. About its independence, South Korea announced, being under the authority of the United States. The history of the Korean Peninsula says that the country was badly damaged by the hands of America. All due to the fact that the North was ruled by the Soviet Union, and there were always disagreements between these two influential states.

For all of its existence, Korea has survived the existence of six different republics. The latter finally brought her to the leaders in economics, politics, science and other spheres. However, it was still too receptive to world crises. Now, unlike the North, which remains a closed power, the South establishes relations with the whole world, signing agreements on mutual assistance.

The population of the Republic of Korea

The Korean peninsula is populated mainly by indigenous people. Most of them are South Korean citizens (53 million as of 2015). Among them, men and women aged 15 to 60 are the most (71%). Children under 14 years of age make up only 18% of the total population. The remaining 9% are elderly people. The country differs from the North in that its birth rate exceeds mortality, and this has a positive effect on economic activity. There is practically no migration of the population. Life expectancy is about 75-80 years. As a rule, women live longer for 5-7 years.

As in the DPRK, Koreans are the most common nationality, but there are many more Chinese here. In addition, Seoul is heavily populated by foreigners who migrate here because of their work in the educational field and in business. Americans are few - about 30 thousand people.

The majority of the population speaks Korean and English (both are required to attend the school curriculum). Children are also offered a choice of studying other foreign languages: Chinese, Japanese, Russian, German, etc.