Geography & Location

The Korean Peninsula extends southward from the northeastern part of the Asian continent between north latitudes from 33 to 43 degrees and east longitudes from 124 to 131 degrees. The standard meridian of the peninsula is 135 degrees, 9 hours ahead of GMT. The Amnok and Duman Rivers border both China and Russia to the north and Japan lies just across the East Sea. Since 1945, as a result of the Cold War, the peninsula has been divided into two parts: the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea).

People & Population

Koreans, like many other Asian people, are descendants of Mongolian Tungus stock. However, they differ from their neighbors, the Japanese and Chinese, in that they are a homogeneous ethnic group with their own language, culture, and customs. Korean people are well known for their generosity, warmth and kindness and are renowned as one of the hardest working people in the world. The following data show the main figures of Korea (as of the end of 2000, Korea National Statistical Office).

• Population: 46,136,101

• Men: 23,158,582 (approximately 50.2%)

• Women: 22,977,519 (approximately 49.8%)

• Foreigners: 150,812 (approximately 0.33%)