South Korea Travel Tips

The Korean peninsula extends southward from the eastern end of the Asian continent. The peninsula is roughly 1,030 km (612 miles) long and 175 km (105 miles) wide at its narrowest point. Mountains cover 70% of Korea's land mass, making it one of the most mountainous regions in the world. The lifting and folding of Korea's granite and limestone base has created breathtaking landscapes of scenic hills and valleys. The mountain range that stretches the length of the east coast plunges steeply into the East Sea, while along the southern and western coasts, the mountains descend gradually to the coastal plains that produce the bulk of Korea's agricultural crops, especially rice. The Korean peninsula is divided just slightly north of the 38th parallel. The democratic Republic of Korea in the south and communist North Korea are separated by a demilitarized zone. South Korea's 99,500sq.km is populated by 47.9 million people (2003). Administratively, the Republic of Korea consists of nine provinces ; the capital Seoul; and the six metropolitan cities of Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon and Ulsan. In total, there are 77 cities and 88 counties.

Geographic position - Between 33° and 43° north latitude, and 124° and 131° east longitude (including Noth Korea)

Highest mountains in S. Korea - Hallasan on Jeju Island, 1,950 meters (6400 ft); Jirisan, 1,915 meters (6,283 ft); and Seoraksan, 1,708 meters (5,604 ft)

Rivers - Nakdonggang, 522 km (324 miles); Hangang, 494 km (307 miles); Geumgang, 396 km (246 miles)

Economic status (2002) - GNI US $ 477 billion; GNI per capita US $ 10,013

Four Distinct Seasons
Korea's climate is regarded as a continental climate from a temperate standpoint and a monsoonal climate from a precipitation standpoint. The climate of Korea is characterized by four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Temperatures differ widely from region to region within Korea, with the average being between 6 o C (43 o F) and 16 o C (61 o F). The average temperature in August, the hottest period of the year, ranges from 19 o C (66 o F) to 27 o C (81 o F), while in January, the coldest month, temperatures range from -8 o C (17 o F) to 7 o C (43 o F).

	Spring Spring begins during the middle of March in the central part of the country, and toward the end of April in the northern region. Spring is rather short in the north. As the Siberian high pressure front weakens, the temperature rises gradually. Yellow sand which originates in the desert or arid areas of Mongolia and China, known as hwangsa, occasionally blows into Korea during early spring. The hwangsa often causes low visibility and eye irritation. Various flowers, including the picturesque cherry blossom, cover the nation's mountains and fields during this time.
	Summer The summer can be divided into two periods; jangma, a rainy period which occurs during the early summer months, and a hot and humid period which occurs in August. Rainfall during the summer time is characterized by heavy showers. Daily precipitation often exceeds 100mm (4 inches), with extremes topping 300mm (12 inches). Occasional storms caused by typhoons that pass through the peninsula sometimes cause a great deal of damage, although the loss of life is rare. Regional temperature contrasts are not very striking during the summer season although the northern interior and the littoral are cooler than the southern region. In August, the temperature rises abruptly as the jangma front moves north toward Manchuria. During this period, the weather becomes extremely hot and humid, particularly in the western plains and the Nakdonggang river basin area. The daily high temperature often rises to over 37oC (100oF). Nights are also hot and humid.
	Autumn Autumn is known for crisp weather, much sunlight and the changing colors of tree leaves. Beginning in October, the continental air mass brings dry, clear weather. Traditionally, Koreans enjoy the season of harvest with festivities of chuseok which is one of the most important national holidays in Korea. It is often referred to as the Korean version of the American Thanksgiving. Autumn in Korea can be summed up with the simple words of an old Korean saying "The sky is high and the horses get fat."
	Winter The arctic air from the interior of the Asian continent brings bitter cold and dry weather and occasional snowfall, while also adding warmth to the cold and dry winter weather periodically. Significant regional climate variations are caused by differences in elevation and proximity to the seas as well as by differences in latitudinal location. The monthly mean temperature during the month of January differs by about 20 degrees centigrade between the northern and the southern peninsula. Snow remains longer on the ground in the north. The frost-free period varies from about 130 days in the northern interior to about 180 days in the central region. On the southern coast, it lasts roughly 225 days of the year.