Gangwon Province (South Korea)

11 counties ( gun )

Gangwon -do is a province in the northeast of South Korea on the Japan Sea. To the south it borders on Gyeongsangbuk -do and Chungcheongbuk -do, Gyeonggi-do on the west and to the north by North Korea. The provincial capital is Chuncheon.

History

Developed in the Joseon former province of Gangwon -do was divided during the US-Soviet occupation in 1945 along the 38th parallel and after the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 the demilitarized zone (DMZ ) ran through the area. The present provinces of Gangwon -do ( South Korea) and Kangwŏn -do ( North Korea) have the same Korean name in various transcription. An exchange between the two provinces is only possible to a limited extent until today. Smaller cooperation projects at the provincial level, however, bear right now to the improvement of inter-Korean dialogue.

Geography

The largest cities in Gangwon -do, in addition to the capital Chuncheon Gangneung, Sokcho and Wonju.

The topography is characterized by rugged mountain range, which run in a north-south direction and of which the Taebaek Mountains is the most important. The mountain course complicates the traffic flow, so follow roads and railway lines the tortuous, partly expanded by erosion river valleys. The river beds are wide, the rivers themselves almost all year round narrow and shallow. In the rainy season and after the thaw they swell into raging torrents. The mountains drop steeply to the coast often, forming small coves with picturesque sandy beaches. Apply a continuous wide sandy beach is only in the north near Samcheok, situated on the flat alluvial plain, and in Gangneung.

The climate is a bit rougher than in the western and southern provinces, hot and humid during the rainy season in the summer. The most beautiful season in addition to the spring, which usually starts at the end of February, is the fall. The vegetation is lit in every conceivable color, it then corresponds to the "Indian Summer" in the New England states of the USA. Winters are cold, with extremely dry air, marked by the intersecting north and east wind. Temperatures of minus 20 degrees are not uncommon. Often drop up to 20 inches of snow in one day. It often seems the sun even in winter.

Economy

Of importance is the mining industry, which is operated in numerous, often small mines still in tunnel construction. There are also several modern mines with shafts up to 1000 m depth. In Jangseong is the largest coal mine in South Korea. The coal is processed to the traditional round briquettes ( Yontan ) that apply to the country and often even in the cities as fuel use. In addition, tungsten, lime and various minerals are mined.

The mountains are heavily forested, with a large part has been reforested after grubbing under Japanese rule from the 60s tedious again. The forests provide an abundance of mushrooms, herbs and tasty fruits. Agriculture is limited to the river valleys and the Schwemmlandgebiete the east and west of the province. Recently, use food companies some mountain pastures for dairy farming. Main products are rice, barley, sweet potatoes, potatoes and vegetables. An important role is played by the fishing, all kinds of fish and shellfish catches in the fish-rich Sea of ​​Japan, especially squid. In addition, in the shallow coastal shellfish and seaweed are harvested.

Tourism

The 1700 m high mountain range Seoraksan near Sokcho is due to the unique topography and vegetation, the most popular destination for Koreans and mostly overrun by visitors. The 1563 m high mountain Odae -san 's ski slopes also attracts many tourists. Both mountains are located in national parks. The beaches of Gangneung are a popular bathing area in summer.

Administrative divisions

Gangwon -do is divided 11 counties in 7 urban and.

Cities

  • Chuncheon -si ( 춘천시 ,春川 市) - provincial capital
  • Donghae -si ( 동해시 ,东海 市)
  • Gangneung -si ( 강릉시 ,江陵 市)
  • Samcheok -si ( 삼척시 ,三 陟 市)
  • Sokcho -si ( 속초시 ,束草 市)
  • Taebaek -si ( 태백시 ,太白 市)
  • Wonju -si ( 원주시 ,原 州市)

Counties

  • Cheorwon -gun ( 철원군 ,铁 原 郡)
  • Goseong -gun ( 고성군 ,高 城 郡)
  • Hoengseong -gun ( 횡성군 ,横 城 郡)
  • Hongcheon -gun ( 홍천군 ,洪川 郡)
  • Hwacheon -gun ( 화천군 ,华 川 郡)
  • Inje -gun ( 인제군 ,麟 蹄 郡)
  • Jeongseon -gun ( 정선군 ,旌 善 郡)
  • Pyeongchang -gun ( 평창군 ,平昌 郡)
  • Yanggu -gun ( 양구군 ,杨 口 郡)
  • Yangyang -gun ( 양양군 ,襄阳 郡)
  • Yeongwol -gun ( 영월군 ,宁 越 郡)
Revised Romanization of Korean McCune–Reischauer Administrative centre Sea of Japan North Chungcheong Province Circle of latitude Korean Demilitarized Zone Donghae City Hongcheon County Hwacheon County Pyeongchang County Busan Daegu Incheon Gwangju South Chungcheong Province North Jeolla Province Hamgyong Pyongan
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