Gyeongju
Hangul:	경주시
Hanja:	慶州市
Revised Romanization:	Gyeongju-si
McCune-Reischauer:	Kyŏngju-si
Statistics
Area:	1,323.85 km²
Population:	280,092 2004 reg.
Pop. density:	212 people/km²
Administrative divisions:	4 eup, 8 myeon, 13 dong

Gyeongju is a city (see Subdivisions of South Korea) and prominent tourist destination in eastern South Korea. It lies in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang Province, on the coast of the Sea of Japan (East Sea). Nearby cities include the industrial centers Ulsan and Pohang. Numerous low mountains, outliers of the Taebaek range, are scattered throughout the city. Image File history File links LinkFA-star. ... This is a copyrighted and/or trademarked logo. ... Jamo redirects here. ... It has been suggested that Sino-Korean be merged into this article or section. ... The Revised Romanization of Korean (Korean: 국어의 로마자 표기법; 國語의 로마字 表記法) is the official Korean language romanization system in South Korea. ... McCune-Reischauer romanization 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. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... Population density by country, 2006 Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Administrative divisions of South Korea South Korea is divided into 1 Special City (Teukbyeolsi), 6 Metropolitan Cities (Gwangyeoksi), and 9 Provinces (Do). ... North Gyeongsang is a province in eastern South Korea. ... The Sea of Japan (East Sea) is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean. ... Ulsan, a metropolitan city in the south-east of South Korea, facing the Sea of Japan (East Sea). ... Pohang is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. ... The Taebaek Mountains are a mountain range in both North and South Korea. ...

Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla, a fact to which it owes its present-day prominence. The Silla kingdom arose at the turn of the 1st millennium, and ruled most of the Korean Peninsula from the 7th to the 9th centuries. A vast number of sites from this period remain in the city today. After the kingdom fell, the city gradually declined in importance. Silla (also spelled Shilla, traditional dates 57 BCE - 935 CE) was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. ... In the Gregorian calendar, the 1st millennium is the period of one thousand years that commenced with the year 1 Anno Domini. ... The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. ...

Today Gyeongju is a typical medium-sized city, having shared in the economic, demographic, and social trends that have shaped modern South Korea. However, amidst these trends the city has retained a distinctive identity. In tourism, it is one of South Korea's best-known destinations. In manufacturing, it profits from its proximity to major industrial centers such as Ulsan. Gyeongju is connected to nationwide rail and expressway networks, which facilitate both industrial and tourist traffic. Ulsan, a metropolitan city in the south-east of South Korea, facing the Sea of Japan (East Sea). ...

Geography and climate

Principal mountains and drainage patterns of Gyeongju. Mountains of 500–700 m are in gray, those taller than 700 m in black.

Gyeongju lies in the southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang Province, and is therefore bounded by the metropolitan city of Ulsan on the south. Within the province, its neighbors include Pohang on the north, Cheongdo County on the southwest, and Yeongcheon on the northwest. To the east, it has no neighbor but the sea. Image File history File links Gyeongjumts. ... Image File history File links Gyeongjumts. ... Ulsan, a metropolitan city in the south-east of South Korea, facing the Sea of Japan (East Sea). ... Pohang is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. ... Cheongdo County (Cheongdo-gun) is a county in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. ... Yeongcheon is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. ...

Low mountains are widespread throughout Gyeongju. The highest of these are the Taebaek Mountains, which run along the city's western border. Gyeongju's highest point, Munbok Mountain, is 1013 meters above sea level. This peak lies in Sannae-myeon, on the border with Cheongdo. East of the Taebaek range, other western peaks lie within the Jusa subrange. The city's eastern peaks, such as Toham Mountain, belong to the Dongdae Mountains, another minor subrange. The Taebaek Mountains are a mountain range in both North and South Korea. ... For considerations of sea level change, in particular rise associated with possible global warming, see sea level rise. ... Cheongdo County (Cheongdo-gun) is a county in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. ... The Jusa Mountains are a minor range in southeastern South Korea. ... The Dongdae Mountains are a small outlying range of the Taebaek Mountains. ...

Gyeongju's drainage patterns are shaped by these lines of mountains. The Dongdae Mountains divide a narrow piedmont area on their east, and various internal river systems to the west. Most of the city's interior is drained by the small Hyeongsan River, which flows north from Ulsan and meets the sea at Pohang Harbor. The Hyeongsan's chief tributaries include the Bukcheon and Namcheon, which join it in Gyeongju Basin. The southwestern corner of Gyeongju, on the far side of the Taebaek range, drains into the Geumho River, which then flows into the Nakdong. A small area of the south, just west of the Dongdae range, drains into the Taehwa River, which flows into the Bay of Ulsan. The Hyeongsan River is a small river in southeastern South Korea. ... The Gyeongju Basin is a landform in Gyeongju city, North Gyeongsang province, South Korea. ... The Geumho River flows through North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, and drains into the Nakdong River. ... The Nakdong River (Rakdong in North Korean) is the longest river in South Korea, and passes through major cities such as Daegu and Busan. ... The Taehwa River flows into the Bay of Ulsan in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). ...

The Gyeongju coastline runs for 33 kilometers between Pohang in the north and Ulsan in the south. There are no islands or large bays, only the small indentations made by the small streams flowing off of the Dongdae ridgeline. Because of this, the city has no significant ports. However, there are 12 small harbors.^[1] One such harbor in Gyeongju's southeast corner is home to the Ulsan base of the National Maritime Police. This base is responsible for security over a wide area of South Korea's east-central coast. Pohang is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. ... Ulsan, a metropolitan city in the south-east of South Korea, facing the Sea of Japan (East Sea). ...

Thanks to its coastal location, Gyeongju has a slightly milder and wetter climate than more inland regions of Korea. In general, however, the city's climate is typical of South Korea. It has hot summers and cool winters, with a monsoon season between late June and early August. As on the rest of Korea's east coast, autumn typhoons are not uncommon. The average annual rainfall is 1,091 millimeters, and the average annual temperature is 12.2°C. ^[2] Monsoon in the Vindhya mountain range, central India A monsoon is a wind pattern that reverses direction with the seasons. ... Cyclone Catarina, a rare South Atlantic tropical cyclone viewed from the International Space Station on March 26, 2004. ...

Gyeongju's historic city center lies on the banks of the Hyeongsan in Gyeongju Basin. This lowlying area has been subject to repeated flooding throughout recorded history, often as a result of typhoons. On average, chronicles report a major flood every 27.9 years, beginning in the first century.^[3] Modern flood control mechanisms brought about a dramatic reduction in flooding in the later 20th century. The last major flood occurred in 1991, when the Deokdong Lake reservoir overflowed due to Typhoon Gladys.^[4] Look up flood in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The 1991 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1991, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between June and December. ...

History

Main article: History of Gyeongju

Burial mounds of the Silla kings.

The early history of Gyeongju is closely tied to that of the Silla kingdom, of which it was the capital. Gyeongju first enters non-Korean records as Saro-guk, during the Samhan period in the early Common Era. Korean records, probably based on the dynastic chronicles of Silla, record that Saro-guk was established in 57 BCE, when six small villages in the Gyeongju area united under Bak Hyeokgeose. As the kingdom expanded, it changed its name to Silla. // Silla period Burial mounds of the Silla kings. ... http://www. ... http://www. ... Silla (also spelled Shilla, traditional dates 57 BCE - 935 CE) was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. ... Silla (also spelled Shilla) was one of the three kingdoms of ancient Korea. ... During the Samhan period, the three confederacies of Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan dominated the southern portion of the Korean peninsula. ... The Common Era (CE), sometimes known as the Current Era or as the Christian Era, is the period of measured time beginning with the year 1 on the Gregorian calendar. ... Categories: 1st century deaths | 4 deaths | Korean rulers ...

After the unification of the peninsula in the mid-7th century, Gyeongju became the center of Korean political and cultural life. The city was home to the Silla court, and the great majority of the kingdom's elite. Its prosperity became legendary, and was reported as far away as Egypt. The population probably exceeded one million. Many of Gyeongju's most famous sites date from this Unified Silla period, which ended in the late ninth century. The Three Kingdoms of Korea were Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, which dominated the Korean peninsula and parts of northeastern China for much of the 1st millennium CE. The Three Kingdoms period in Korea is usually considered to run from the 1st century BCE until Sillas triumph over Goguryeo in... Unified Silla is the name often applied to the Korean kingdom of Silla after 668. ...

Under the subsequent Goryeo (935-1392) and Joseon (1392-1910) dynasties, Gyeongju was no longer of national importance. However, it remained a regional center. The city was made the seat of Yeongnam Province in the 10th century. It had jurisdiction over a wide area, including much of east-central Yeongnam, although this area was greatly reduced in the 13th century. In 1601, the city ceased to be the provincial capital. Yeongnam is the name of a region that coincides with the former Gyeongsang Province in what is now South Korea. ...

Over these centuries, the city's relics suffered numerous assaults. In the 13th century, Mongol forces destroyed a nine-story wooden pagoda at Hwangnyongsa.^[5] During the Seven Year War, Japanese forces burned the wooden structures at Bulguksa.^[6] Not all damage was due to invasions, however. In the early Joseon period, a great deal of damage was done to Buddhist sculptures on Namsan by Neo-Confucian radicals, who hacked arms and heads off of statuary. ^[7] Honorary guard of Mongolia. ... Hwangnyongsa is a former Buddhist temple in South Korea. ... Combatants Joseon Dynasty Korea, Ming Dynasty China Japan under Toyotomi Hideyoshi Commanders Korea: Yi Sun-sin, Gwon Yul, Won Gyun, Kim Myung Won, Yi Il, Sin Lip, Gwak Jae-u, Kim Shi-min China: Li Rusong , Li Rubai, Ma Gui , Qian Shi-zhen, Ren Ziqiang, Yang Yuan, Zhang Shijue, Chen... Bulguksa is a Buddhist temple in the North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. ... Namsan (남산, South Mountain) is a 494-meter peak in the heart of Gyeongju National Park, in Gyeongju, South Korea. ... Neo-Confucianism (理學 Pinyin: Lǐxué) is a term for a form of Confucianism that was primarily developed during the Song dynasty, but which can be traced back to Han Yu and Li Ao in the Tang dynasty. ...

In the 20th century the city has remained relatively small, no longer ranking among the major cities of Korea. In the early 20th century many archaeological excavations took place, mostly on the many tombs which survived the centuries fairly well. A museum, the forerunner of the present-day Gyeongju National Museum, was set up in 1915 to exhibit the finds. The Gyeongju National Museum is a museum in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. ...

Gyeongju emerged as a railroad junction in the later years of the Japanese Occupation, as the Donghae Nambu Line and Jungang Line were established. Thanks to these improved connections, the town began to emerge as a center of tourism. In the 1970s, Korea saw substantial industrial development, much of it centered in the Yeongnam region of which Gyeongju is a part. The POSCO steel mill in neighboring Pohang commenced operations in 1973, and the chemical manufacturing complex in Ulsan emerged in the same year. These developments helped to support the emergence of Gyeongju's manufacturing sector. The Donghae Nambu Line is a railway line connecting Busan to Pohang in South Korea. ... The Jungang Line is a railway line connecting Seoul to Gyeongju in South Korea. ... Yeongnam is the name of a region that coincides with the former Gyeongsang Province in what is now South Korea. ... // The Pohang Iron and Steel Company, or POSCO (KSE: 005490) (NYSE: PKX) (TYO: 5412 ) (LSE: PIDD), is the fifth largest steel producer in the world based in Pohang, South Korea. ...

Government

The executive branch of the government is headed by a mayor and vice-mayor. As in other South Korean cities and counties, the mayor is elected directly, while the vice-mayor holds an appointed post. The current mayor is Baek Sang Seung (백상승), elected in 2002. He is Gyeongju's third mayor to be directly elected, the fifth to preside over the city in its present form, and the 29th mayor since 1955. Like most heads of government in this region, he is a member of the conservative Grand National Party. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1331x681, 46 KB)Diagram of the administrative structure of Gyeongju, South Korea. ... Baek Sang Seung (b. ... The Grand National Party is a conservative, right-wing political party in South Korea. ...

The legislative branch consists of the Gyeongju City Council, which has 24 members. The present City Council was formed from the merger of the old Gyeongju City Council with the Wolseong County Council in 1991. Most of the subdivisions of Gyeongju elect a single member to represent them in the Council, although two members represent two dong each and Angang-eup is represented by two members because of its large population. Like the mayor, the council members were last elected in 2002, except for a small number elected in more recent by-elections. In April 2004, the city government employed 1,434 people. The central administration is composed of 4 departments, 2 subsidiary organs, a chamber (the auditor), and 8 business offices. The departments oversee a total of 21 sections. In addition, there are 25 local administrative divisions, as detailed below. Each such division has a small administrative staff and a local office. A by-election or bye-election is a special election held to fill a political office when the incumbent has died or resigned. ... 2004 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December Deaths in April • 18 Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara • 19 Norris McWhirter • 22 Pat Tillman • 24 Estée Lauder Other recent deaths Ongoing events EU Enlargement Exploration of Mars: Rovers Haiti Rebellion Reconstruction of Iraq – Occupation & Resistance Israeli...

Subdivisions

Main article: Subdivisions of Gyeongju

The city is divided into 4 eup, 8 myeon, and 13 dong. These units are the same into which all of the cities and counties of South Korea are divided. The dong units occupy the area of the city center, which was formerly occupied by Gyeongju-eup. Eup are typically substantial villages, whereas myeon are more rural. The current divisions are as follows: Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1146x1074, 46 KB)Map of the administrative divisions of Gyeongju, South Korea. ... The primary subdivisions of Gyeongju in South Korea consist of 4 eup, 8 myeon, and 13 dong. ... Administrative divisions of South Korea South Korea is divided into 1 Special City (Teukbyeolsi), 6 Metropolitan Cities (Gwangyeoksi), and 9 Provinces (Do). ...

*Figures based on resident registration figures made available by local government offices. For more detailed source information, see Subdivisions of Gyeongju.
The primary subdivisions of Gyeongju in South Korea consist of 4 eup, 8 myeon, and 13 dong. ...

People and culture

View of Gyeongju from Banwol-seong

Gyeongju has produced notable individuals throughout its history. Notable Gyeongju residents in the Silla period included most of the kingdom's leading figures, not only rulers but scholars such as Choe Chi-won and generals like Kim Yu-sin. The city continued to contribute to traditional Korean thought in subsequent dynasties. Relatives of Choe Chi-won played an important role in establishing the structures of early Goryeo. In the Joseon period, Gyeongju joined the rest of Gyeongsang in becoming a hotbed of the conservative Sarim faction. Notable Gyeongju members of this faction included the 15th-century intellectual Yi Eon-jeok. In modern times the city produced writer Park Mok-wol, who did a great deal to popularize the region's culture, as well as Choe Jun, a wealthy businessman who established the Yeungnam University Foundation. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1600x919, 441 KB) View of Gyeongju, South Korea, from wall of Banwol-seong, the ancient principal palace of the Silla rulers. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1600x919, 441 KB) View of Gyeongju, South Korea, from wall of Banwol-seong, the ancient principal palace of the Silla rulers. ... Silla (also spelled Shilla, traditional dates 57 BCE - 935 CE) was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. ... Choe Chi-won (857-?) was a noted Korean Confucian official, philosopher, and poet of the late Unified Silla period (668-935). ... Kim Yu-shin (595-673) was a general in 7th-century Silla. ... Traditional Korean thought There are a number of religious and philosophical thought-systems that have influenced life in Korea. ... Joseon or Chosun (Korean: 조선; Hanja: 朝鮮; Revised: Joseon; McCune-Reischauer: Chosŏn; Chinese: Cháoxiǎn; Japanese: Chōsen) is a name for Korea, as used in the following cases: As part of the name of several ancient kingdoms (including Gojoseon, Gija Joseon, and Wiman Joseon); During most of the Joseon... Gyeongsang (Gyeongsang-do) was one of the eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. ... The Sarim, or forest of scholars, was a powerful faction of literati in the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. ... Yi Eon-jeok (1491-1553), sometimes known by his pen name Hoejae, was a public official and intellectual of the middle Joseon Dynasty. ... Park Mok-Wol (1916-1978) was a Korean writer. ... Choe Jun (1884-1970) was a businessman and philanthropist in early 20th-century Korea. ... Yeungnam University is one of the largest universities in South Korea outside of Seoul. ...

Many Korean family clans trace their origins to Gyeongju, often to the ruling elites of Silla. For example, the Gyeongju Kim clan claims descent from the rulers of later Silla. The Gyeongju Park and Gyeongju Seok clans trace their ancestry to Silla's earlier ruling families. These three royal clans played a strong role in preserving the historical precincts of Gyeongju into modern times.^[8] The Gyeongju Choe and Lee clans also trace their ancestry to the Silla elites. However, not all Gyeongju clans date to the Silla period; for instance, the Gyeongju Bing clan was founded in the early Joseon Dynasty. (For more information on the Korean clan structure, see the main article on Korean names.) Kim is the most common family name in Korea. ... Park or Pak is one of the more numerous family names of the Korean people in Korea. ... Seok is a Korean family name, held by about 56,500 South Koreans and many others in North Korea and around the world. ... ... Lee is the common English spelling of 이 (Pronounced like abcdE), a common Korean family name. ... The Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) (also Chosun), sometimes known as the Yi Dynasty, was a dynasty founded by General Yi Seonggye in what is modern day Korea, and lasted for five centuries as one of the worlds longest running monarchies. ... The Korean name Hong Gildong (a common anonymous name, like John Doe in American English). ...

The city remains an important centre of Korean Buddhism. East of the downtown lies Bulguksa, one of South Korea's largest Buddhist temples; nearby is Seokguram, a famed Buddhist shrine. Traditional prayer locations are found on mountains throughout Gyeongju. Such mountains include Namsan in the city center, Danseok-san and Obong-san in the west, and the low peak of Hyeong-san on the Gyeongju-Pohang border. ^[9] Namsan in particular is often referred to as "the sacred mountain," due to the Buddhist shrines and statues which cover its slopes. ^[10] The grounds of Koreas Buryeongsa Temple. ... Bulguksa is a Buddhist temple in the North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. ... The Seokguram Grotto is a hermitage and part of the Bulguksa temple complex. ... Namsan (남산, South Mountain) is a 494-meter peak in the heart of Gyeongju National Park, in Gyeongju, South Korea. ...

The city has a distinctive dialect, which it shares with northern portions of Ulsan. This dialect is similar to the general Gyeongsang dialect, but retains distinctive features of its own. Some linguists have treated the distinctive characteristics of the Gyeongju dialect as vestiges of the Silla language. For instance, the contrast between the local dialect form "소내기" (sonaegi) and the standard "소나기" (sonagi, meaning "rainshower"), has been seen as reflecting the ancient phonemic character of the Silla language.^[11] A dialect (from the Greek word διάλεκτος, dialektos) is a variety of a language used by people from a particular geographic area. ... Ulsan, a metropolitan city in the south-east of South Korea, facing the Sea of Japan (East Sea). ... The Gyeongsang dialect is a dialect of the Korean language which is widely used in the Yeongnam region, which includes North and South Gyeongsang provinces. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Gyeongju's cuisine is largely identical with general Korean cuisine. However, the city is known for some local specialties. The most famous of these is "Gyeongju bread," a red-bean pastry first baked in 1939 and now sold throughout the country. Local specialties with a somewhat longer pedigree include beopju, a traditional Korean liquor. Korean cuisine is the traditional food of Korea. ... Gyeongju bread, also sometimes called Hwangnam bread, is a local specialty of Gyeongju City, South Korea. ...

Demographics

In recent years, Gyeongju has followed the same trends that have affected the rest of South Korea. Like the country as a whole, Gyeongju has seen its population age and the size of families shrink. For instance, the mean household size is 2.8. Because this has fallen in recent years, there are more households in the city now (100,514) than there were in 1999, even though the population has fallen. ^[12]

Like most of South Korea's smaller cities, Gyeongju has seen a steady drop in population in recent years. From 1999 to 2003, the city lost 9,500 people.^[13] The primary reason for this is the number of people leaving the city, mostly seeking jobs in major cities. In the early 2000s, about 4,000 more people moved away from the city each year than moved in.^[14] During the same period, births exceeded deaths by roughly 1,000 per year, a significant number but not enough to offset the losses due to migration. ^[15]

Gyeongju has a small but growing population of non-Koreans. In 2003, there were 1,778 foreigners living in Gyeongju. This number, although still a tiny fraction of the total population, was nearly double the number resident there in 1999. The growth was largely in immigrants from other Asian countries, many of whom are employed in the automotive parts industry. Countries of origin whose numbers have risen include the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The number of residents from Japan, the United States, and Canada fell significantly in the 1999-2003 period. ^[16]

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Gyeongju

Bulguksa temple in Gyeongju

Gyeongju is a major tourist destination for South Koreans, and also for visitors from abroad. A great deal of this is due to the city's status as a center of Silla heritage. In addition, the city government has successfully parlayed its historic status into a basis for other tourism-related developments such as conferences, festivals, and resorts. Tourism in Gyeongju is a major industry and defining feature of Gyeongju, South Korea. ... http://www. ... http://www. ... A tourist boat travels the River Seine in Paris, France Tourism can be defined as the act of travel for the purpose of recreation, and the provision of services for this act. ...

Many Silla sites are included in Gyeongju National Park. These include a number of profoundly symbolic sites, including the Royal Tomb Complex, the Cheomseongdae observatory, the Anapji pond, and the Gyerim forest. In addition, the Gyeongju National Museum hosts many artifacts from the Silla kingdom which have been excavated from sites within the city and surrounding areas, including several royal crowns and other national treasures. Gyeongju National Park is one of 20 national parks in South Korea. ... Cheomseongdae is a stone tower that seems to have been built in the middle 7th century in Gyeongju by Silla. ... Anapji is an artificial pond in Gyeongju National Park, Gyeongju, South Korea. ... The Gyerim is a small woodland in Gyeongju National Park, Gyeongju, South Korea. ... The Gyeongju National Museum is a museum in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. ... The Buddha statue at Seokguram Grotto, the 24th Korean national treasure. ...

Some of Gyeongju's most famous sites relate to the Silla government's patronage of Buddhism. The grotto of Seokguram and the temple of Bulguksa were the first Korean sites to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, in 1995. In addition, the ruins of the old Hwangnyongsa temple, said to have been Korean's largest, are preserved on the slopes of Toham Mountain. Various Silla-era stone carvings of Buddhas and bodhisattvas are found on mountainsides throughout the city, particularly on Namsan. Buddhism is a dharmic, non-theistic religion, a philosophy, and a system of psychology. ... The Seokguram Grotto is a hermitage and part of the Bulguksa temple complex. ... Bulguksa is a Buddhist temple in the North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. ... Elabana Falls is in Lamington National Park, part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves World Heritage site in Queensland, Australia. ... Hwangnyongsa is a former Buddhist temple in South Korea. ... Namsan (남산, South Mountain) is a 494-meter peak in the heart of Gyeongju National Park, in Gyeongju, South Korea. ...

A significant portion of Gyeongju's tourist traffic is due to the city's successful promotion of itself as a site for various festivals, conferences, and competitions. Every year since 1962 a Silla cultural festival has been held in October to celebrate and honour the dynasty's history and culture. It is one of the major festivals of Korea. It features athletic events, folk games, music, dance, literary contests and Buddhist religious ceremonies. Other festivals include the Cherry Blossom Marathon in April, the Korean Traditional Liquor and Cake festival in March, and memorial ceremonies for the founders of the Silla Dynasty and General Kim Yu-sin. Kim Yu-shin (595-673) was a general in 7th-century Silla. ...

Economy

Main article: Economy of South Korea

Two local butchers in an alley

The economy of Gyeongju is more diverse than the city's image as a tourist haven would suggest. Although tourism is an important component of the city's economy, most residents work in fields not related to tourism. More than 27,000 are employed in manufacturing, as compared to roughly 13,500 in the hospitality industry. Furthermore, the number involved in tourism has remained constant over recent years, whereas the manufacturing sector added 6,000 jobs from 1999 to 2003. ^[17] Currency 1 South Korean Won (W) = 100 Jeon(Chŏn) (theoretical) Fiscal year Calendar year Trade organisations APEC, WTO and OECD Statistics [1] GDP ranking 10th by volume (at nominal) (2005); 14th by volume (at PPP) (2005); GDP (Nominal) $801. ... http://www. ... http://www. ...

The manufacturing sector is closely tied to that in nearby cities, depending on Gyeongju's ready transit links with Ulsan, Pohang, and Daegu. The automotive parts industry, also powerful in Ulsan and Daegu, plays an important role. Indeed, of the 938 incorporated businesses in Gyeongju, more than a third are involved in the manufacture of automotive parts. ^[18] Ulsan, a metropolitan city in the south-east of South Korea, facing the Sea of Japan (East Sea). ... Pohang is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. ... Daegu, also spelled Taegu, officially called Daegu Metropolitan City, is the 4th largest city in South Korea after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon. ...

In addition, agriculture continues to play a key role, particularly in the outlying regions of Gyeongju. The city plays a leading role in the domestic production of beef and mushrooms. Fishing also takes place in coastal towns, especially in Gampo-eup in the city's northeast. There are a total of 436 registered fishing craft in the city. ^[19] Much of the catch from these boats never leaves Gyeongju, going directly from the harbor to Gyeongju's many seafood restaurants. A cut of beef. ... The relative sizes of the Cap (pileus) and Stalk (stipe) vary widely. ...

Other sectors are also active. For instance, a small amount of quarrying activity takes place in the city. There are 57 active mines and quarries in Gyeongju. Most are engaged in the extraction of kaolin and fluorspar.^[20] A nuclear power plant is located on the coast in Yangnam-myeon. It supplies about 5% of South Korea's electricity. ^[21] A small cinder quarry A dimension stone quarry A quarry is a type of open-pit mine from which rock or minerals are extracted. ... Kaolin Kaolinite (Aluminium Silicate Hydroxide) Kaolinite is a mineral with the chemical composition Al2Si2O5(OH)4. ... Octahedral fluorite crystals from New Mexico, USA Fluorite (also called fluor-spar or Blue John) is a mineral composed of calcium fluoride, CaF2. ... A nuclear power station. ... Lightning strikes during a night-time thunderstorm. ...

Education

Main article: Education in South Korea

Formal education has a longer history in Gyeongju than anywhere else in South Korea. The Gukhak, or national academy, was established here in the 7th century, at the beginning of the Unified Silla period. Its curriculum focused on the Confucian classics. After the fall of Silla in the 10th century, the Gukhak closed. However, thanks to Gyeongju's role as a provincial center under the Goryeo and early Joseon dynasties, the city was home to state-sponsored provincial schools (hyanggyo) under both dynasties. During the later Joseon dynasty there were several seowon, or private Confucian academies, were set up in the city. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Gukhak, or National Confucian Academy, was the sole recorded institution of higher learning in the Silla period of medieval Korean history. ... Unified Silla is the name often applied to the Korean kingdom of Silla after 668. ... Silla (also spelled Shilla, traditional dates 57 BCE - 935 CE) was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. ... The Gukhak, or National Confucian Academy, was the sole recorded institution of higher learning in the Silla period of medieval Korean history. ... The Goryeo Dynasty established in 918 ruled Korea from the fall of the Unified Silla in 935 until replaced by the Joseon dynasty in 1392. ... The Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) (also Chosun), sometimes known as the Yi Dynasty, was a dynasty founded by General Yi Seonggye in what is modern day Korea, and lasted for five centuries as one of the worlds longest running monarchies. ... The Hyanggyo were government-run provincial schools in medieval Korea. ... The Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) (also Chosun), sometimes known as the Yi Dynasty, was a dynasty founded by General Yi Seonggye in what is modern day Korea, and lasted for five centuries as one of the worlds longest running monarchies. ... Seowon were the dominant educational institution of Korea during the mid- to late Joseon Dynasty. ...

Today, the educational system of Gyeongju is the same as elsewhere in the country. Schooling begins with preschools, of which there are 65 in the city. This is followed by 6 years in elementary schools, of which Gyeongju has 46. Subsequently students pass through 3 years of middle school. There are 19 middle schools in Gyeongju. High-school education, which lasts for three years, is not compulsory, but the most students do attend and graduate from high school. Gyeongju is home to 21 high schools, of which 11 provide specialized technical training. At each of these levels, there is a mix of public and private institutions. All are overseen by the Gyeongju bureau of North Gyeongsang's Provincial Office of Education. ^[22] Gyeongju is also home to a school for the mentally disabled, which provides education to students from preschool to adult age. A nursery school is a school for the education of very young children (generally five years of age and younger). ... Primary or elementary education is the first years of formal, structured education that occurs during childhood. ... Middle school (also known as intermediate school or junior high school) covers a period of education that straddles primary education and secondary education, serving as a bridge between the two. ... Compulsory education is education which children are required by law to receive and governments to provide. ... The Scream, the famous painting commonly thought of as depicting the experience of mental illness. ...

Gyeongju is also home to four institutions of tertiary education. The smallest of these, Sorabol College, is a small technical college of the sort found in many small Korean cities. Each of Gyeongju's three universities reflects the city's unique role. Dongguk and Uiduk universities are Buddhist institutions, reflecting that religion's enduring link to the city. Gyeongju University, formerly Korea Tourism University, is strongly focused on tourism, reflecting the importance of tourism in the region. Students attend a lecture at a tertiary institution. ... Dongguk University is a private Buddhist university in South Korea. ... Gyeongju University (originally Korea Tourism University) is a privately-run, 4-year university located in Gyeongju, South Gyeongsang province, South Korea. ...

Transportation

The city lies at the junction of two minor lines operated by the Korean National Railroad. The Jungang Line runs from Seoul to Gyeongju, and also carries trains from the Daegu Line, which originates in Dongdaegu. In Gyeongju, the Jungang line connects to the Donghae Nambu Line which goes between Pohang and Busan. The Korean National Railroad, now known as Korail, is the national railroad operator in South Korea. ... The Jungang Line is a railway line connecting Seoul to Gyeongju in South Korea. ... The Daegu Line is a railway line in South Korea. ... Dongdaegu Station is a train and subway station in eastern Daegu, South Korea. ... The Donghae Nambu Line is a railway line connecting Busan to Pohang in South Korea. ... Pohang is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. ... Busan Metropolitan City, also known as Pusan, is the largest port city in South Korea. ...

The Gyeongbu Expressway, which runs from Seoul to Busan, passes through Gyeongju. In addition, there are six national highways which crisscross the city. Thanks to the city's popularity as a tourist destination, nonstop bus service is available from most major cities in South Korea. The Gyeongbu Expressway (Gyeongbu Gosok Doro) is the oldest and most heavily travelled freeway in South Korea, and connecting Seoul to Suwon, Daejeon, Gumi, Daegu, and Busan. ...

High-speed trains do not currently serve Gyeongju, in part because the Gyeongbu Line does not pass through the city. However, high-speed service will be available after the completion of the Daegu-Busan portion of the KTX line, scheduled for 2010. The trains will stop at Singyeongju Station, in Geoncheon-eup south of Gyeongju's city center. Korea Train Express (KTX) is South Koreas high speed train system. ... The Gyeongbu Line (Gyeongbuseon) is the most important railway line in South Korea and one of the oldest, connecting Seoul to Suwon, Daejeon, Daegu, and Busan. ...

Notes

1. ↑  농축수산. Gyeongju City website. Retrieved on July 7, 2005.
2. ↑  위치와 자연지리. Gyeongju City website. Retrieved on July 15, 2005.
3. ↑  Kang (2002), p. 6.
4. ↑  Kang (2002), p. 5.
5. ↑  Lee (1984), p. 149.
6. ↑  Lee (1984), p. 214.
7. ↑  Kookmin University (2004), p. 27.
8. ↑  Kim (1982), p. 30.
9. ↑  Kim, 2003, pp. 136-152.
10. ↑  For example, in the Handbook of Korea 11th ed., p. 656, and in World Heritage Committee twenty-fourth session. UNESCO WHC Archive. Retrieved on July 9, 2005.
11. ↑  Yi, Seong-gyu. (2003). 문학 작품에 나타난 방언. (Munhak jakpum-e natanan bang-eon. Dialect appearing in literary works). Sae Gugeo Saenghwal 13(4). [23]
12. ↑  1. Population Trend. Statistical yearbook of Gyeongju 2004. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
13. ↑  1. Population Trend. Statistical yearbook of Gyeongju 2004. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
14. ↑  7. Internal Migration. Statistical yearbook of Gyeongju 2004. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
15. ↑  6. Vital Statistics. Statistical yearbook of Gyeongju 2004. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
16. ↑  8. Registered Foreigners by Major Nationality. Statistical yearbook of Gyeongju 2004. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
17. ↑  3. Number of Establishments and workers, by Industry. Statistical yearbook of Gyeongju 2004. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
18. ↑  지역경제. Gyeongju city website. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
19. ↑  농축수산. Gyeongju City website. Retrieved on July 7, 2005.
20. ↑  5. Mineral Production. Statistical yearbook of Gyeongju 2004. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
21. ↑  KHNP Fact Sheet. CANDU Owners Group website. Retrieved on July 7, 2005. See also site.
22. ↑  학교현황. Gyeongju Bureau of Education website. Retrieved on July 22, 2005.

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References

• Kang, Bong W. (2002). A study of success and failure in the water management of the Buk Chun in Kyongju, Korea. Paper delivered at the Eighteenth Congress of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. (Electronic Version). [24]
• Kim, Deok-muk (2003). 전국의 기도터와 굿당(Jeon-gukui gidoteo wa gutdang. The nation's prayer and gut locations.). Seoul:한국민속기록보존소. ISBN 89-953630-3-4. 
• Kim, Won-yŏng. (1982). Kyŏngju: The homeland of Korean culture. Korea Journal 22(9), pp. 25-32. [25]
• Kookmin University, Department of Korean History (2004). 경주문화권 (Gyeongju Munhwagwon. The Gyeongju cultural area.). Seoul:역사공간. ISBN 89-90848-02-4. 
• Korean Overseas Information Service (2003). Handbook of Korea (11th ed.). Seoul: Hollym. ISBN 1-56591-212-8. 
• Lee, Ki-baek (Tr. by E.W. Wagner & E.J. Schulz) (1984). A new history of Korea (rev. ed.). Seoul: Ilchogak. ISBN 89-337-0204-0. 

See also

• List of Korea-related topics
• List of cities in South Korea
• Geography of South Korea
• Southeastern Maritime Industrial Region
• World Heritage Site

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gyeongju

This is a list of Wikipedia articles on Korea-related people, places, things, and concepts. ... Map of South Korea The largest cities in South Korea have self-governing status equivalent to that of provinces. ... Map of South Korea South Korea is located in Eastern Asia, on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula jutting out from the far east of the Asian land mass. ... The Southeastern Maritime Industrial Region, centered around the harbor cities of Busan and Ulsan, is the Republic of Koreas second largest metropolitan area in terms of population and is the second-most developed region as well. ... A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 State... Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Wikimedia Commons logo by Reid Beels The Wikimedia Commons (also called Commons or Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ...

External links

• City government website
• Gyeongju travel guide from Wikitravel
• Open Directory category

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