46,000,000) far exceeded that of the North (est. However, in 2000, the population in the South (est. The DMZ division allocated more territory to the North (47,541 square miles) than to the South (38,024 square miles). Both the tiger and rabbit appear in many Korean folktales and paintings and even on South Korean exports.Īt nearly the same size and latitude as the state of Utah, the entire landmass of the Korean peninsula measures 84,565 square miles. Other Koreans, especially older ones, still think of the peninsula as “rabbit-shaped.” The rabbit represents the wisdom of the peninsula’s traditional agricultural economy, which is rapidly becoming a memory. Many South Koreans, especially younger ones, describe their peninsula as “tiger-shaped.” The tiger is a traditional symbol that drives away misfortune, but it also represents the urban and aggressively successful modern South Korean economy. The Korean peninsula is about 600 miles long, but at its shortest width (near the DMZ), it is only 120 miles from coast to coast. North Korea divides itself politically into nine provinces and three special cities. South Korea divides itself politically into nine provinces and six special cities.

Yet, there is an uneasy tension between the opposing combat-ready forces of North and South who still face and intimidate each other across the zone.Īt present South Koreans call the peninsula Hanguk, while North Koreans call the peninsula Choson. There is peace within the zone because it is “demilitarized” and “off limits” to soldiers and civilians: that means plants and animals inhabiting the zone are protected from humans.

The DMZ represents a strange combination of peace within tension. The DMZ is 2.4 miles wide and centers on a demarcation line that extends for 151 miles between the Yellow Sea and the East Sea (or Sea of Japan). The DMZ divides the peninsula by separating North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) from South Korea (Republic of Korea). The Korean Conflict began as a civil war, expanded into an international conflict fought on Korean soil between communism and capitalism, and has yet to be resolved after almost fifty years under an uneasy truce. The DMZ is a temporary political boundary formed by the Korean Armistice of 1953, which ended the hostilities of the Korean Conflict (1950–53). It is also quite close to an important geopolitical feature called “the demilitarized zone,” or DMZ. That exact intersection is located near the heart of the Korean peninsula. Note where this meridian intersects with the 38º north parallel. One can easily locate Korea on a world map or globe by following 127º east meridian north from the equator to the middle latitudes. A geographic exploration of North and South Korea, including its location, climate, production and how Korea perceives herself.Īn extension of the eastern side of the Eurasian continent, Korea is a relatively small though prominent peninsula.

Strategic war map korean war