- Population: 22.9 million (UN, 2005)
- Capital: Pyongyang
- Area: 122,762 sq km (47,399 sq miles)
- Major language: Korean
- Major religions: Mainly atheist or non-religious, traditional beliefs
- Life expectancy: 60 years (men), 66 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 won = 100 chon
Korea is not as acknowledged as neighbors Japan or China, but is a nation no less than any other with a history dating as early 5 millennia with archaeological evidence suggesting the peninsula to be inhabited for over 500,000 years now. Korea was formerly one country until the peninsula was divided into Soviet and American zones during the Second World War for North and South Korea consecutively, eventually to possess two separate governments in 1948 when North Korea refused participation in a U.N. supervised unification elections. Despite its sensationalized fidgety international relations, none can suppress the natural beauty of North Korea that is worth the front page as any political unrest.
GEOGRAPHY
North Korea located between 40 00 N, 127 00 E coordinates and is the larger of the two states with an area of 120,538 km². Seventy percent of the entire Korean peninsula is covered with mountains, and some 80% of these mountains and highlands are in North Korea. The continuous mountain ranges, like Hamgyong or Rangrim, make a perfect view impressing on Korea’s visitors as the waves of a sea in a heavy storm.
The tallest mountains of 2000 metres (or higher) in the entire peninsula can be also found in this northern state. The highest point is Baekdu Mountain (Paektu, Paektusan), 2,744 meters above sea level, while the lowest point is the Sea of Japan, 0 metres. Baekdu is so sacred a symbol of the Korean spirit and is featured in Korea’s anthem due to the belief that the first Korean humans descended from this mountain. N. Korea also prides on its various natural hot springs and waterfalls. The significant rivers are Amnokgang (Yalu, 790 km), and Dumangang (Tumen, 521 km),
CLIMATE
The climate in North Korea is continental with four distinct seasons: winter, spring, autumn, and a monsoonal summer. Winters are long and harsh, spring and autumn tender the most favorable weather conditions, particularly in May and October, consecutively, whereas summers are hot, humid, and wet. January is coldest month, and is hottest at 30 oC between July and August.
PEOPLE
Based on the official DPRK statistics, the population of North Korea as of 2010 is 23,479,088. Interesting statistics of almost 100% are of Korean ethnicity; 99% literacy; and 0% HIV cases. North Korea remains one of the most ethnically homogeneous nations as ethnic tribes and international communities are scant to nil due to an incredibly low rate of immigration. Foreigners in the region are mostly tourists. Life expectancy has fallen from 70-75 to 63.81 years due to insufficient food supply and medical care.
CULTURE
Modern culture can be described as Korean traditions that bring with it the influences of neighboring countries that it has adapted for 3 millennia. Stronger provisions are currently at hand to preserve this traditional Korean culture with some degree of suppression to modern free expressions, that is supposedly the essence of modern art. Instead, cultural expression and art are didactic and serves as the vehicle for Juche ideology that essentially asserts the distinctiveness and creativity of Korean culture and/by the masses. Literally, literature and music are venues for politics and revolution, while movies, instead of entertainment, operate for its role in the social education of the masses.
LANGUAGE
KOREAN (ChosÅ)
Leave a reply