Geography of South Korea

South Korea is an East Asian country. It is located in the south of the Korean peninsula. The country is bounded to the north by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), to the east by the East China Sea, to the south by the Yellow Sea, and to the southeast by the Korea Strait, which separates it from the Japanese island of Tsushima.

On the peninsula, South Korea takes up around 45% of the land area. Seoul serves as its capital.

Physical Features

Geographically speaking, South Korea has a land area of about 100,032 square kilometers. Precambrian rocks, such as granite and gneiss, which are older than 540 million years, make up a sizable portion of South Korea's geology. The majority of the land is mountainous, with a few minor valleys and slender coastal plains.

The drainage divide of the nation is formed by the T'aebaek Mountains, which extend about north-south along the eastern coastline and northward into North Korea. From them, a number of mountain ranges with a north-eastern to south-westerly orientation diverge. The Sobaek Mountains, which undulate across the peninsula in a long S form, are the most significant of these.

The highest point in South Korea's mountains, Mount Srak in the T'aebaek Mountains, rises to a height of 5,604 feet (1,708 meters), and Mount Chiri in the Sobaek Mountains, to a height of 6,283 feet (1,915 meters). Mount Halla, an extinct volcano on Cheju Island, is 6,398 feet (1,950 meters) above sea level and is the highest point in South Korea.

Two volcanic islands—Cheju (Jeju), off the southern point of the peninsula, and Ullng, about 85 miles (140 km) east of the mainland in the East Sea—as well as a small lava plateau may be found in the country's Kangwon province. Also, around 55 miles (85 km) southeast of Ullng Island, South Korea claims and occupies a collection of rocky rocks known as Liancourt Rocks, Tok (Dok) Islands (Korean), and Take Islands (Japanese); Japan has also made a claim to these islets. Along the lower reaches of the major rivers of the country are very vast lowlands.

The western and southern beaches have exceedingly intricate ria (i.e., creek-indented) coastlines with numerous islands, in contrast to the relatively straight eastern shoreline. At Inch'n (Incheon), the entry port for Seoul, the shallow Yellow Sea and the intricate Korean coastline produce one of the world's most pronounced tide changes, with a maximum height of 30 feet (9 meters).

Climate

South Korea's climate is characterized by a hot, humid summer and a cold, largely dry winter. Except for towards the southern coast, the coldest average monthly temperatures in winter are below zero. The Korean peninsula's proximity to the main Asian landmass has the biggest impact on its climate.

As a result, a continental climate is created with its distinct summer and winter temperature extremes as well as the northeast Asian monsoons, which are seasonal winds that influence precipitation patterns. As a result of the relative drop in continental influences in the later parts, the yearly range in temperature is greater in the north and interior sections of the peninsula than in the south and along the coast. During the summer monsoon, from June to August, up to three-fifths of the yearly precipitation is received; in the extreme south, the distribution is more even.

Typhoons (tropical cyclones) that form in the late summer may bring severe storms and rain along the southern coast. Winter precipitation primarily takes the form of snow, with the T'aebaek Mountains receiving the highest concentrations. In the northern highlands, the frost-free season lasts 170 days, whereas on Cheju Island, it lasts more than 240 days.

Flora and Fauna

Common broad-leaved evergreen plants include camphor and camellias, whereas oaks, maples, alders, zelkovas, and birches are found in deciduous forests. The majority of conifer species in the nation are pines; others are spruces, larches, and yews. The Korean fir (Abies koreana) and the shrub Abeliophyllum distichum, sometimes known as white forsythia or Korean abelia, are examples of indigenous species.

About two-thirds of the country's land area was previously covered by forests, but due to fuel requirements during the long, cold winter and the nation's high population density, the original forest has all but vanished. The majority of lands are covered in deciduous broad-leaved and coniferous trees, with the exception of evergreen broad-leaved forests on Cheju Island and in the little subtropical strip along the southern coast.

Similar wild animal populations can be found in northern and northeastern China. Deer are the larger creatures that are most prevalent. Even in remote locations, tigers, leopards, lynx, and bears, which were once widely distributed, are now all but extinct. The nation is home to about 380 different bird species, the most of which migrate seasonally. Intensive farming poses a threat to numerous fish, reptile, and amphibian species in South Korea.

South Korea has a variety of environments, including as marshes, estuaries, and woods that are visited by migratory birds. The area protects hundreds of bird species, including the imperilled red-crowned and white-naped cranes, and is also home to Asiatic black bears, lynxes, and other wildlife.

Drainage

The T'aebaek Mountains serve as the source of South Korea's three major rivers, the Han, Km, and Naktong, which run between the mountain ranges before entering their lowland plains. Only a few short, rapid rivers drain eastward from the T'aebaek Mountains; the vast majority of the nation's rivers flow westward or southward into the Yellow Sea or the East China Sea.

The Korea Strait is reached via the longest river in South Korea, the Naktong River, which travels 325 miles (523 km) south. Streamflow varies greatly throughout the year; it is highest during the rainy summer and significantly lower during the often-dry winter.

Soils

The majority of the soil in South Korea is made up of granite and gneiss. Common soil types include those that are sandy and brown in color, well-leached, and low in humus. The highlands have podzolic soils, which are ash-gray forest soils produced by the prolonged winter's cold.

Conclusion

A varied range of geological features may be seen in South Korea, which is located near the southernmost point of the Korean Peninsula. East China Sea, Yellow Sea, and Korea Strait surround it, and it shares boundaries with North Korea. The T'aebaek and Sobaek Mountains are prominent elements in the scenery, which is dominated by mountainous terrain. Cheju Island, which has Mount Halla as its highest point, contributes to the geography of the country.

The northeast Asian monsoons have an impact on South Korea's climate, which is continental and has distinct seasons. Deer, migrating birds, and other species make up the fauna, which also contains deciduous and evergreen trees. The terrain is drained by the Han, Kum, and Naktong rivers, which have varying stream flows throughout the year. Granite and gneiss make up the majority of the soils, with podzolic soils in the highlands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key geographical features of South Korea?

South Korea is predominantly mountainous, featuring the T'aebaek and Sobaek Mountains. It includes Cheju Island and is surrounded by the East China Sea, Yellow Sea, and Korea Strait.

What is the climate like in South Korea?

South Korea hasa continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters.

What is the significance of the T'aebaek Mountains?

The T'aebaek Mountains are the source of South Korea's major rivers, including the Han, Kum, and Naktong rivers, which flow through the lowland plains.

Which are the major rivers of South Korea?

South Korea's major rivers are the Han, Kum, and Naktong rivers.

What is the tallest mountain in South Korea?

Mount Halla, an extinct volcano on Cheju Island, is the tallest mountain in South Korea.