Climate, Location, Information about Districts

1) Location

The Korean Peninsula extends southward from the northeastern part of the Asian continent between 33 and 43 North Latitude and 124 and 132 degree East Longitude.

The standard meridian of the peninsula is 135, nine hours ahead of GMT. The Amnokkang and Tuman-gang Rivers border both China and Russia to the north, and Japan is just across the East Sea. Since 1945, as a by-product of the Cold War, the peninsula has been divided at 38 North Latitude into the capitalist Republic of Korea, or South Korea, and the communist Democratic People's Republic of Korea, more commonly known as North Korea.

 

2) Area and Topography

The total area of the peninsula is 221,607 km2, similar in size to that of U.K, New Zealand, or Romania. South Korea possesses 99,237 km2 or 45% of the total land mass, and North Korea 122,370 km2, the remaining 55%. About 70% of the land is mountainous, mainly to the north and east. Along the southern and western coasts the mountains descend gradually towards broad coastal plains. Most of the rivers have their tributaries on the north and east sides, and flow into the Yellow and South Seas. Concentrated for the most part off the southern coast are upwards of 3,000 islands of various sizes that provide scenery unparalleled in the world.

 

3) Climate

Korean enjoys four seasons and a variety of different weather types. The peninsula has hot, humid summers and long, dry, cold winters. Spring and autumn are rather short, but very pleasant with crisp weather and many days of sunshine. The temperatures range from a low of -15¡Æ C(5¡ÆF) in winter to a high of 34.7¡ÆC(94.5¡ÆF) in summer.

Spring :

In early spring, the weather is somewhat unpredictable with frequent rainfall and gusty winds carrying yellow dust from northern China.

Summer :

The three months of June, July and August have the heaviest rains, with July usually being the wettest month of the year.

Autumn :

It is very beautiful with crisp air and blue skies. The countryside is colored in a variety of mellow hues. It is a delightful season featuring many folk festivals rooted in ancient agrarian customs.

Winter :

It starts in late November and lasts until early March. Korea is dominated by a high pressure zone caused by cold blasts of air from Siberia. There is little precipitation and the skies are usually clear.  




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