South Korea

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, occupies the southern part of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. It covers about 100,000 square kilometres and is bordered by North Korea to the north, while the Yellow Sea lies to the west and the Korea Strait and East Sea, also called the Sea of Japan, are to the south and east. Much of the country is mountainous or hilly, with relatively narrow plains concentrated around rivers and coastal areas.

The Taebaek Mountains extend along the eastern part of the peninsula, while the Sobaek range branches toward the southwest. Seoul, the capital, is located in the northwest near the Han River and forms the centre of a large metropolitan area. Busan, on the southeastern coast, is another major city and an important port. South Korea also includes numerous islands, the largest being Jeju, a volcanic island located south of the mainland.

South Korea has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are generally hot and humid, while winters are colder and often dry, especially in the interior. Much of the annual rainfall occurs during the warmer months, and the country can occasionally be affected by typhoons from the Pacific region. Its varied relief creates different natural habitats, including forests, wetlands, coastal ecosystems and mountain environments.

South Korea is highly urbanised and has developed a major economy based on manufacturing, technology, automobiles, shipbuilding, finance and services. The country is home to globally important companies in electronics and other high-technology industries, while its ports connect it to international trade routes. Korean is the official language and Hangul is the country's writing system. South Korea is also known for the global spread of its popular culture, including music, cinema, television and cuisine.