The Seoul National Capital Area 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 22.8 million (as of 2005). It forms the cultural, commercial, financial, industrial, and residential center of South Korea. The largest city is Seoul, with a population of approximately 10 million people, followed by Incheon, with 2.6 million. Jamo redirects here. ... Hanja is the Korean name for Chinese characters. ... The Revised Romanization of Korean 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. ... The Korean Peninsula a. ... Seoul   is the capital of South Korea and is located on the Han River in the countrys northwest. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Seoul   is the capital of South Korea and is located on the Han River in the countrys northwest. ... Incheon Metropolitan City is a metropolitan city and major seaport on the west coast of South Korea, near Seoul. ...

The traditional borders encompass Seoul, Incheon, Kaesong, and the satellite cities of Gyeonggi-do Province. Since the Korean War, Kaesong has been a part of North Korea. Since the extension of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway to Cheonan, it now arguably extends beyond Gyeonggi province as well. Incheon Metropolitan City is a metropolitan city and major seaport on the west coast of South Korea, near Seoul. ... Kaesong city centre Kaesŏng (Gaeseong) is a city in North Hwanghae Province, North Korea, a former Directly Governed City, and the capital of Korea during the Koryo Dynasty. ... Satellite cities are smaller municipalities that are adjacent to a major city which is the core of a metropolitan area. ... Gyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. ... Combatants United Nations:  Republic of Korea,  Australia,  Belgium,  Luxembourg,  Canada,  Colombia,  Ethiopia,  France,  Greece,  Luxembourg,  Netherlands,  New Zealand,  Philippines,  South Africa,  Thailand,  Turkey,  United Kingdom,  United States Medical staff:  Denmark,  Australia,  Italy,  Norway,  Sweden Communist states:  Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,  Peoples Republic of China,  Soviet Union Commanders... A map of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway. ... Cheonan is a city in South Chungcheong province, South Korea. ... Gyeonggi is the most populous province in South Korea. ...

Geography and climate

See also: Geography of South Korea 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 National Capital Area occupies a broad area of relatively flat land around the Han River valley. It contains some of the most fertile land on the Korean peninsula, although relatively little of it is now used for agriculture. The Gimpo Plain, one of the country's larger expanses of level arable land, covers much of the area of the cities of Gimpo and Guri. The Han River located in South Korea, is the confluence of the South Han River, which originates in Mount Daedeok-san, and the North Han, which originates in Mount Geumgang-san. ... The Korean Peninsula a. ... Gimpo An alias for Alan Goodrick. ... Guri is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ...

The climate is mild, due to the area's location on the banks of the Yellow Sea, but somewhat colder and drier than most of South Korea. ...

History

See also: History of South Korea, History of Seoul The History of South Korea traces the development of South Korea from the division of the Korean Peninsula in 1945 to the present day. ... The History of Seoul can be traced back as far as 18 BC. Counting from now, it has a history of over 2000 years. ...

The National Capital Area has been home to a Korean capital for around 2,000 years. Its central location and relatively gentle landscape have given it a central role in the country's affairs.

The first capital to be constructed in the region was that of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. The country's first capital, which according to legend was built in 19 BCE, was Wiryeseong. This is believed to have been constructed near the modern-day boundary of Seoul and Gwangju City. However, Baekje was unable to hold this territory, and surrendered the Han River valley to Goguryeo in the 5th century. The land was then taken over by Silla in the 6th century, at which point it came to play a critical role in helping Silla to establish ties with China. Baekje (October 18 BC – August AD 660) was a kingdom in the southwest of the Korean Peninsula. ... The Three Kingdoms Period of Korea (hangul: 삼국시대) featured the three rival kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, which dominated the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria for much of the 1st millennium CE. Historians claim that the Three Kingdoms period ran from the 1st century BCE (specifically 57 BC) until... Wiryeseong was the name of two early capitals of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. ... Seoul   is the capital of South Korea and is located on the Han River in the countrys northwest. ... Gwangju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, southeast of Seoul. ... Goguryeo was an ancient kingdom located in southern Manchuria (present-day Northeast China), southern Russian Maritime province, and the northern and central parts of the Korean peninsula. ... Silla (also spelled Shilla, traditional dates 57 BCE - 935 CE) was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. ...

After the fall of Silla, Taejo of Goryeo established the capital of his kingdom in Kaesŏng, now just north of the Demilitarized Zone. During the Mongol invasions of Korea in the 12th century, the seat of government briefly shifted to Ganghwa Island, now just south of the DMZ in Incheon metropolitan city. Silla (also spelled Shilla, traditional dates 57 BCE - 935 CE) was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. ... Taejo of Goryeo (877-943, r. ... Kaesong city centre Kaesŏng (Gaeseong) is a city in North Hwanghae Province, North Korea, a former Directly Governed City, and the capital of Korea during the Koryo Dynasty. ... Map of the Korean DMZ. The DMZ is given in red, the demarcation line runs in the middle of the DMZ (black line). ... The Mongol invasions of Korea consisted of a series of campaigns by the Mongol Empire against Korea, then known as Koryo, from 1231 to 1259. ... Ganghwa Island is an island in the estuary of the Han River, on the west coast of South Korea. ... Incheon Metropolitan City is a metropolitan city and major seaport on the west coast of South Korea, near Seoul. ...

After the fall of Goryeo in 1394, the capital moved to Seoul (then called Hanseong or Hanyang), staying within the same region. 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. During the Korean Empire period, 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. This does not cite any references or sources. ...

Following the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910, Hanseong was renamed Keijo (Gyeongseong) and served as colonial Korea's capital. Upon Korea's liberation from Japan in 1945, the former colonial capital was renamed Seoul and became capital of South Korea.

In the Korean War (1950-1953), 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 four times during the course of the war. Combatants United Nations:  Republic of Korea,  Australia,  Belgium,  Luxembourg,  Canada,  Colombia,  Ethiopia,  France,  Greece,  Luxembourg,  Netherlands,  New Zealand,  Philippines,  South Africa,  Thailand,  Turkey,  United Kingdom,  United States Medical staff:  Denmark,  Australia,  Italy,  Norway,  Sweden Communist states:  Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,  Peoples Republic of China,  Soviet Union Commanders...

During the latter half of the 20th century, the Capital Metropolitan Area began to rapidly develop as South Korea's economic wealth expanded. Population expanded fourfold since the Korean War. In 2001, the new Incheon International Airport took over all international flights to Seoul. Incheon Airport - Entrance Incheon Airport - Departures Incheon International Airport (IIA) (IATA: ICN, ICAO: RKSI) (Hangul|인천국제공항)/ (Hanja:仁川國際空港) is the largest airport in South Korea, and one of the largest in Asia. ...

Demographics

See also: Demographics of South Korea // noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Population: 48,846,823 (July 2006 est. ...

Covering only about 12% of the country's area, the Seoul metropolitan area is home to more than 48.2% of the national population, and is the world's 2nd or 3rd largest metropolitan area. This percentage has risen steadily since the mid-20th century, and the trend is expected to continue. Currently more than half of the people who move from one region to another are moving to the Sudogwon.^[1] By 2020, it is projected that more than 52% of South Korea's population will live within the area.^[2] This page lists the 100 largest metropolitan areas of the world, ranked by population. ...

Government

See also: Government of South Korea The government of South Korea is divided into three branches: executive, judicial, and legislative. ...

Various agencies have been set up to deal with the intergovernmental problems of the region. Proposals for consolidating some or all of the cities of the Sudogwon into a handful of metropolitan cities have thus far not been implemented.

Development in the area is currently governed by the Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act (수도권정비계획법), first passed in 1982 and last revised in 1996.

Subdivisions

See also: Subdivisions of South Korea Administrative divisions of South Korea South Korea is divided into 1 Special City (Teukbyeolsi), 6 Metropolitan Cities (Gwangyeoksi), and 9 Provinces (Do). ...

The exact boundaries of the Seoul metropolitan area are not clearly defined, although they generally include all cities directly adjacent to Seoul. The Sudogwon is often divided among the special city of Seoul, the metropolitan city of Incheon, and the following 20 cities: Seoul   is the capital of South Korea and is located on the Han River in the countrys northwest. ... Incheon Metropolitan City is a metropolitan city and major seaport on the west coast of South Korea, near Seoul. ...

Ansan is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Anyang is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Bucheon City Hall. ... Gimpo An alias for Alan Goodrick. ... Goyang is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Gunpo is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Guri is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Gwacheon is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Gwangju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, southeast of Seoul. ... Gwangmyeong is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Ha Nam is also the name of a province in Vietnam. ... Namyangju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Paju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Seongnam is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Siheung is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Suwon (Suwon-si) is the largest city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... For other uses, see Uijeongbu (disambiguation). ... Uiwang is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Yangju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. ... Yongin is in the middle of Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, approximately 40 km south of Seoul. ...

Transportation

See also: Transportation in South Korea Transportation in South Korea is provided by extensive networks of railways, highways, bus routes, ferry services, and air routes that criss-cross the country. ...

The cities of the Sudogwon are tightly interconnected by road and rail. Many of the country's railroad lines, most notably the Gyeongbu Line, terminate in the region. In addition, the needs for commuter rail are served by the Seoul Metropolitan Subway, which passes not only through Seoul and Incheon, but also through most of the outlying cities. 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. ... A map of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway. ...

In addition, the region is a nexus for travel by air and water. The country's two largest airports, Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport, are both located in the metropolitan area. International and domestic ferries depart from Incheon's various ferry terminals several times a day; in addition, massive volumes of international freight pass through the container terminals of Incheon (primarily bound to and from China). Incheon Airport - Entrance Incheon Airport - Departures Incheon International Airport (IIA) (IATA: ICN, ICAO: RKSI) (Hangul|인천국제공항)/ (Hanja:仁川國際空港) is the largest airport in South Korea, and one of the largest in Asia. ... Gimpo Airport (formerly Kimpo International Airport) was the main international airport for Seoul and South Korea before it was replaced by Incheon International Airport in 2001. ...

Seoul Ring Expressway (Expressway No.100) connects satellite cities around Seoul, Ilsan, Toegyewon, Hanam, Pyeongchon, Songnae, Bundang, Pangyo and Gimpo. The Seoul Ring Expressway (Expressway No. ... Ilsan is the name of two districts or wards (Ilsandong-gu, literally “Eastern Ilsan district”, and Ilsanseo-gu, literally “Western Ilsan district”) in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. ... Ha Nam is also the name of a province in Vietnam. ... Bundang is the southernmost district (gu) of Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. ... The overview of Pangyo area Pangyo (판교, 板橋) referes to the area of Pangyo-dong, Bundang, Seongnam and surrounding area, including Siheung-dong and Sasong-dong of Sujeong-gu, Seongnam, and some parts of Bundang-gu. ... Gimpo An alias for Alan Goodrick. ...

Notes

1. ^  [3]
2. ^  [4]

See also

• Geography of South Korea
• Demographics of South Korea
• Metropolitan area
• List of metropolitan areas by population
• Subdivisions of South Korea
• List of Korea-related topics
• Seoul Ring Expressway

External links

• Metropolitan Air Quality Management Office, in Korean
• Capital Region Development Institute, in Korean
• Chosun Ilbo metro news, in Korean
• [5]