Kŭmgangsan ("Diamond Mountain")
Korean Name
McCune-Reischauer	Kŭmgangsan
Revised Romanization	Geumgangsan
Hangul	금강산
Hanja	金剛山
Statistics
Height	1638 metres
Location	Kŭmgangsan Tourist Region, North Korea

Kŭmgangsan ("Diamond Mountain") is the second-tallest mountain in North Korea, with a height of 1638 metres. It is located on the east coast of the country, in Kŭmgangsan Tourist Region, formerly part of Kangwŏn Province (38.58N, 128.17E). Kŭmgangsan is part of the Taebaek mountain range which runs along the east of the Korean peninsula. 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. ... 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. ... Hangul also refers to a word processing application widely used in Korea. ... It has been suggested that Sino-Korean be merged into this article or section. ... KÅ­mgangsan Tourist Region is a special administrative region of North Korea. ... This map shows the location of both Kumgang-san in North Korea and Seorak-san in South Korea. ... KÅ­mgangsan Tourist Region is a special administrative region of North Korea. ... Kangwon (Kangwon-do) is a province of North Korea, with its capital at Wŏnsan. ... The Taebaek Mountains are a mountain range in both North and South Korea. ... The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. ...

Kŭmgangsan has been known for its beauty since antiquity. It is by many considered one of the most beautiful places in East Asia. The mountain not only features a landscape formed by erosion, but also a great number of deep ponds and waterfalls. The mountain is covered in forests, thought to be most attractive in autumn. Geographic scope of East Asia East Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms. ...

The mountain's beauty is largely attributed to the geological structure of the area. The mountain consists almost entirely of Granite and diorite, which have been weathered over centuries to create a wide variety of shapes. There are a great number of picturesque stone formations, ravines, cliffs, stone pillars and peaks. Over 12,000 such stone formations have been counted. Quarrying granite for the Mormon Temple, Utah Territory. ... Categories: Mineral stubs | Igneous rocks ...

The area around Kŭmgangsan has some of the highest levels of precipitation in Korea. Kŭmgangsan is commonly divided into three areas: Inner Kŭmgang, Outer Kŭmgang, and Sea Kŭmgang. Each area is home to different geological and topographical features. Inner Kŭmgang is often appreciated for its enchanting views. The Manpok ravine is one of the ravines appreciated most by tourists. Outer Kŭmgang is noted for the larger number of peaks. Chipson Peak (rock of ten thousand forms) is known for its many waterfalls. Whereas Inner Kŭmgang is often likened to female beauty, Outer Kŭmgang is likened to male beauty. Kŭmgang Sea is known for the lagoons and stone pillars.

There are many old temples around Kŭmgangsan, although not all are preserved in good condition. Probably the best known temples are Changan-sa and Maha-yon. Other famous sights include: Sea Manmulsang, Kŭmgang Gate, Samil Lagoon, Piro Peak, the Manpok ravine, Myongyong rock, the Paektap ravine, Manmulsang, Kuryong pond, the pools of Upper Pal, Sujong Peak, Ongnyu ravine, the Hanha Stream, and the Sibi waterfalls.

Kŭmgangsan Tourist Region

Since 1998, South Korean tourists have been allowed to visit Kŭmgangsan, initially travelling by cruise ship, but recently more commonly by coach. In 2002, the area around the mountain was separated from Kangwŏn Province and organized as a separately administered Tourist Region. The land route was opened in 2003. A rail link exists on the North Korean side up to the border, but no tracks are laid between Gangneung and the border in South Korea. 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... Motto: 널리 인간 세계를 이롭게 하라 (Broadly bring benefit to humanity, 弘益人間) Anthem: Aegukga Capital Seoul Largest city Seoul Official language(s) Korean Government President Prime Minister Presidential democracy Roh Moo-hyun Han Myung-sook Establishment - Gojoseon - Declaration of Republic - Liberation - First Republic 2333 BC March 1, 1919 August 15, 1945 August 15, 1948 Area  - Total... For the Cusco album, see 2002 (album). ... In North and South Korea, Special cities, Metropolitan Cities, and Directly Governed Cities are cities that have a status equivalent to that of Provinces (Do). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Gangneung is a city in Gangwon Province, on the east coast of South Korea. ...

By 2002 almost 500,000 have visited the Kŭmgangsan Tourist Region. 1998 there were 15,500 tourists in November and December, in 1999 there were 148,000, and in 2000 213,000. In 2001 tourist numbers dropped to 58,000 amidst disagreements over the access over land. Tourist numbers have since established themselves at about 240,000 a year. In June 2005 Hyundai Asan announced the 1 millionth South Korean visits to the area [1]. For the Cusco album, see 2002 (album). ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Hyundai Asan is an arm of the Hyundai Group and a major investor in North Korea. ...

The Kŭmgangsan Tourist Region is thought to be one way for the North Korean government to receive hard currency from abroad. Interestingly enough, the official currency of the tour is neither the South Korean won nor the North Korea won, but the US Dollar. Since 2003 food and services to South Korean tourists are provided by North Koreans. The area is developed by Hyundai Asan, who have plans to expand the site with a proper ski resort to complement the current sleigh course, and complete golf courses. Many plans for expansion, however, are in their earliest stages. 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• List of Korea-related topics
• List of mountains in Korea
• Geography of North Korea

This is a list of Wikipedia articles on Korea-related people, places, things, and concepts. ... The following is a list of mountains in Korea: List of mountains in North Korea Paektu-san (백두산; 白頭山) - 2,750 m Kumgang-san (금강산; 金剛山) - 1,638 m Myohyang-san (묘향산; 妙香山) Chilbo-san Kuwol-san List of mountains in South Korea Halla-san (한라산; 漢拏山) - 1,950 m Chiri-san (지리산; 智異山) - 1,915 m Seorak-san (설악산; 雪岳山) - 1708... Map of North Korea North Korea is located in eastern Asia, on the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. ...

External links

• Kumgangsan travel guide from Wikitravel