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| Land Size and Geographical Features |
Many Koreans think Korea is a rather small country, but
the combined land of South and North Korea is the 70th largest of
the 160 countries across the globe. Except for a few of the
biggest countries, Korea is far from being small in its size.
Korea is big enough to play a leading role in the international
community. Koreans may think their nation is small in size because
they are an ambitious people and feel they need a greater stageto
realize their full potential.
The combined territories of South and North Korea encompasses
approximately 220,000 square kilometers, similar in size to LAOS,
Oman, Romania, the United Kingdom, Belarus, Ghana, Gabon, Guinea,
Uganda, Guyana, Ecuador and New Zealand. South Korea alone(roughly
99000 ยงยด) is similar in size to the United Arab Emirates, Jordan,
Austria, Portugal, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Honduras and
Cuba. |
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| South Korea has a population of 45000 people,
larger in size than the above countries. Even though Korea is
remarkably beautiful and well balanced, it is not able to fully
utilize its land because it was divided at the 38th parallel at
the end of the Korean War and thus the Korean people are exerting
their utmost efforts to unify their country as Germany did in the
past. |
| Meteorological Characteristics Korea |
Korea is located between 33° 06' 40'' N
and 43° 00' 39'' N parallels in the northern hemisphere.
Because of its location, Korea has four distinctive seasons. The
latitude of Korea is similar to that of Italy, Spain, Portugal,
Greece, Turkey, China, Japan and the U.S., all of which have
developed outstanding cultures and traditions; this implies that
areas in these latitude are favorable for human activities.
Due to the long north-south span, Korea shows big differences
between the weather in southern and northern areas, resulting in a
wide range of fauna and flora species.
Korea lies between 124°E and 132°' E meridians. The
meridian of 127° 30' E passes through the middle of the
Korean Peninsula. Korea, however, shares the same standard Time
Zone meridian of 135°E with Japan. Seoul and Tokyo local time
is nine hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). |
| Geographical Position |
| Adjacent continents, oceans and natural
features are major factors that determine geographical
characteristics of an area. Located at mid latitudes in the far
east of the Asian Continent, Korea is affected by seasonal winds.
In addition, due to its location, Korea is warmer in summer and
colder in winter than other countries positioned at the same
latitudes in the west of the continent. Korea has the
characteristics of continental climate which shows big differences
between the highest and lowest temperatures of a year. Korea, as a
peninsula, has easy access to both the continent and ocean, and is
blessed with opportunities to expand into both the continent and
ocean. Such a geographical location helped Korea to adopt the
continental culture and transfer it to Japan. Korea has
successfully utilized its geographic location and developed
industrial complexes in coastal areas. It has also recorded
remarkable economic development, utilizing the sea for trade. |
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