Geography |
The Republic of Korea occupies the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is bounded on the north by North Korea; on the east by the Sea of Japan; on the south-east and south by the Korea Strait, which separates it from Japan; and on the west by the Yellow Sea. It has a total area of 99 268 km2, including numerous offshore islands in the south and west, the largest of which is Cheju (1 845 km2).
Much of South Korea is mountainous. The principal range is the T'aebaek-sanmaek, running from north to south along the east coast.
The Southern Plain, an important agricultural region, covers the entire southern coast of South Korea. It is actually a series of plains separated by low hills. The Naktong River, flowing through the plain from mountains in the north to the Korea Strait for 523 km, is South Korea´s longest river.
The South-western Plain, consisting of rolling hills and plains, extends along almost the entire western coast of South Korea. The Han River flows through the region from the central mountains to the Yellow Sea.
While basically continental, the climate of South Korea is greatly influenced by prevailing winds. In general, there are hot summers and cold winters. In the summer, the prevailing winds are from the south and south-east, bringing hot, humid weather. A cold, dry wind blows from the north and north-west during the winter, bringing cold weather.
In Seoul the average January temperature range is -9° to 0° C, and the average July temperature range is 21° to 29° C. Winter temperatures are higher along the southern coast and considerably lower in the mountains. The average annual precipitation in Seoul is 1 250 mm, and in Pusan is 1 370 mm. Rainfall is concentrated in the summer months (June to September). The southern coast is subject to typhoons in July and August that bring strong winds and heavy rains.
The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.