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The terrain of the Korean peninsula is mountainous, making farming difficult. Pictured here are themountains of Seoraksan National Park.

In the News Geography and Culture

Korea’s geography has made it somewhat isolated and in turn fostered a unique ethnicity, language, and culture. Its prominence in the world is not a reflection of its geography: Much of the peninsula is mountainous and not practical for cities or farmland; the best farmland in both North and South Korea lies along the narrow coastal plains on the western side of the peninsula. The tallest mountain in Korea is Hallasan, a volcano that stands over 6,000 feet tall on the island of Jeju, some- times worshipped by Koreans in the belief that spirits reside at its peak. Jeju Island is one of many around both North and South Korea. North and South Korea dispute ownership of some islands, both fromone another and fromneighboring Russia or Japan. The Taebaek Range forms the backbone of the Korean Peninsula and covers much of the area, leav- ing just 15 percent or so of flat plains for farming and development. The Han River is perhaps themost important in South Korea, since it flows through Seoul and provides water for some 15million Koreans. By con- trast, themost important river in North Korea, the Amrok, forms much of the border with China: Smugglers often cross the frozen river in winter to move people, products, andmoney into or out of North Korea.

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