The Capital Metropolitan Area (Korean hangul: 수도권; hanja: 首都圈; revised: Sudogwon; McCune-Reischauer: Sudogwŏn) is a region located at the center of the Korean peninsula and is home to the capital of South Korea, Seoul. This metropolitan area has a population of 27 million people, and about 22 million of them commute daily to workplaces near and within Seoul. The region, according to traditional borders, encompasses Seoul, Incheon, Kaesong, and Gyeonggi Province (Seongnam, Goyang, Suwon, Bucheon, etc), but since the Korean War no longer includes Kaesong. It forms the cultural, commercial, financial, industrial, and residential center of South Korea. Hangul (hangul: 한글; revised: hangeul; McCune-Reischauer: hangÅ­l) is the native alphabet used to write the Korean language, as opposed to the Hanja system borrowed from China. ... Hanja (hangul: 한자; hanja: 漢字; revised: hanja; McCune-Reischauer: hancha; lit. ... The Revised Romanization of Korean is the official Korean language romanization system in South Korea. ... McCune-Reischauer is one of the two most widely used Korean language romanization systems, along with the Revised Romanization of Korean, which replaced (a modified) McCune-Reischauer as the official romanization system in South Korea in 2000. ... The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. ... Seoul (서울, â–¶(?)) is the capital of South Korea and is one of the most populous cities in the world, located in the northwestern part of the country on the Han River. ... A metropolitan area is a large population center consisting of a large city and its adjacent zone of influence, or of several neighboring cities or towns and adjoining areas, with one or more large cities serving as its hub or hubs. ... Seoul (서울, â–¶(?)) is the capital of South Korea and is one of the most populous cities in the world, located in the northwestern part of the country on the Han River. ... Incheon Metropolitan City is a metropolitan city and major seaport on the west coast of South Korea, near Seoul. ... Kaesŏng (Gaeseong) is a city in North Hwanghae Province, North Korea, a former Directly Governed City, and the capital of Korea during the Goryeo Dynasty. ... Seongnam is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Goyang is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Suwon (Suwon-si) is the largest city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Bucheon is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ...

History

The Capital Metropolitan Area has occupied a special place in Korean history. The first known capital that was located here was Wiryeseong, which was capital of the Baekje Kingdom. Following Wiryeseong's fall to an attack by the northern Goguryeo Kingdom in the 5th century, the region fell under Goguryeo jurisdiction. Then, in the 6th century, the Silla Kingdom attacked the region and held on to it until the 10th century, when regional warlords initiated a uprising that eventually led to Silla's downfall. The reason for this struggle that occurred between the three kingdoms mentioned above was also because of this region. Due to its moderate climate, fertility, and its location at the center of the Korean Peninsula, as well as the advantages to its convenient sea and land commerce, the region became famous for its high standard of living in relation with other regions and its ability to facilitate an excellent transportation system. This article is about the history of Korea. ... Wiryeseong was the name of two early capitals of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. ... Baekje was a kingdom that existed in southwestern Korea from 18 BCE to 660 CE. In Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla, it is known as one of the Three Kingdoms. ... Goguryeo (37 BC-668) was an empire in Manchuria and northern Korea. ... // Events Romulus Augustus, Last Western Roman Emperor Rome sacked by Visigoths in 410. ... This Buddhist stela from China, Northern Wei period, was built in the early 6th century. ... Silla (also denoted as Shilla) was one of the three kingdoms of ancient Korea. ...

Following the collapse of Silla, a new royal dynasty took control in Korea. Known as the Goryeo Dynasty, the new state established its capital at Songak (modern-day Kaesong), which was the birthplace of the new dynasty's founder. During the Goryeo Dynasty's rule, Songak was renamed Gaegyeong. This new capital quickly grew as the largest city in Korea. However, with Goryeo's fall in the 14th century, its successor, the Joseon Dynasty, moved the capital to Hanyang, which had been named Namgyeong (Southern Capital) during the previous dynasty but was quickly renamed to Hanseong. During the new dynasty's rule, extensive road systems, administrative buildings, royal palaces, and new ports were built, quickly attracting wealth from all over the kingdom. The Goryeo kingdom ruled Korea from the fall of Silla in 935 until the founding of Joseon in 1392. ... The Joseon Dynasty (also Chosun, Hangul: 조선왕조, Hanja: 朝鮮王朝) was the final ruling dynasty of Korea, lasting from 1392 until 1910. ... Seoul is the capital of South Korea and was, until 1945, the capital of all of Korea. ...

During the reign of the Korean Empire, Hanseong's public transportation was improved with the installation of streetcars and manually-drawn trolleys similar to taxis. Horse carriage systems similar to the ones in Europe were also established. The Korean Empire existed from 1897 to 1910. ... A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is the worlds second-smallest continent in terms of area, covering around 10,790,000 km² (4,170,000 sq mi) or 2. ...

Following the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910, Hanseong was renamed Keijo (Kyeongseong) and served as colonial Korea's capital. The Joseon Colonial Commandery Headquarters were built at Keijo, and several public institutions, such Keijo Imperial University, were founded. In addition, railroads connecting Seoul to other cities were completed, leading to the construction of Seoul Station soon after. As a result, transportation in the Capital Metropolitan Area greatly improved as well. It was also during the period of Japanese rule that the port of Incheon became a major trading harbor. 1910 (MCMX) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Gyeongseong is the Korean form of Keijō (京城), the former Japanese name of Seoul used during the Japanese Colonial Period (1910-1945). ... Seoul National University is a university whose main campus is located in Seoul, South Korea. ... Seoul Station is a major railway station in Seoul, South Korea. ...

Korea's liberation from Japan in 1945 resulted in the renaming of Keijo. The former colonial capital was renamed Seoul and became capital of the Republic of Korea. 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...

During the Korean War, the Capital Metropolitan Area became the focus of battles so destructive that most of Seoul and the surrounding regions were eradicated. Seoul was especially hit hard, since it exchanged hands nearly five times during the whole course of the war. Rebuilding was slow, due to a lack of construction materials and South Korea's poor economic state at the time. The Korean War, from June 25, 1950 to cease-fire on July 27, 1953 (technically speaking, the war has not yet ended), was a conflict between North Korea and South Korea. ...

During the latter half of the 20th century, the Capital Metropolitan Area began to rapidly develop as South Korea's economic wealth expanded. Population booms in the 1960', 70's, and 80's raised the population of the region to nearly four times the amount of people during the Korean War era. Foreign investment and state-supported industries took a strong foothold here. In 2001, Incheon International Airport took over all international flights to Seoul, further boosting the region's international status. Incheon International Airport (IATA: ICN, ICAO: RKSI) is the largest airport in South Korea, and one of the largest in Asia. ...

Present Status

Currently, the Capital Metropolitan Area forms South Korea's greatest industrial, commercial, financial, and residential region. Hi-tech industries, such as semi-conductor chip manufacturing, high-standard electronics production, and IT industries are especially strong here, playing a key role in South Korea's status as the world's strongest IT nation. Other factors that contribute to this region's position as a transportation and business hub for all of East Asia is finance and commerce, which are accommodated by Incheon International Airport and Seoul's downtown districts, where business is particularly vibrant. The Capital Metropolitan Area is also the cultural hub of the Korean Peninsula. Seoul alone is the site of five grand palaces and other historical attractions. Modern landmarks, such as the COEX Convention Center, the World Trade Center, Seoul Tower, and the 63 Building are all located in Seoul. Korea's highest skyscraper, Tower G of the Tower Palace high-rise apartment complex, is also renowned throughout the country. In recent years, the South Korean government has expanded efforts aimed at dispersing the heavily concentrated population of the Capital Metropolitan Area from Seoul to neighboring satellite cities in an effort to lower Seoul's heavy congestion levels. This has resulted in the rapid growth of cities like Seongnam, whose populations increased fivefold. Seoul Tower is a tall tower in Seoul, Korea. ...

See also

• Administrative divisions of South Korea
• List of Korea-related topics