South Korea (redirected from So. Korea)

South Korea

a republic in NE Asia: established as a republic in 1948; invaded by North Korea and Chinese Communists in 1950 but division remained unchanged at the end of the war (1953); includes over 3000 islands; rapid industrialization. Language: Korean. Religions: Buddhist, Confucianist, Shamanist, and Chondokyo. Currency: won. Capital: Seoul. Pop.: 47 950 000 (2004 est.). Area: 98 477 sq. km (38 022 sq. miles)

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Korea, South

Official name: Republic of Korea

Capital city: Seoul

Internet country code: .kr

Flag description: White with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field

National anthem: “Aegukga” (Love the Country)

National flower: Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus Syriacus L.)

Geographical description: Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea

Total area: 38,022 sq. mi. (98,477 sq. km.)

Climate: Temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter

Nationality: noun: Korean(s); adjective: Korean

Population: 49,044,790 (July 2007 CIA est.)

Ethnic groups: Korean; small Chinese minority

Languages spoken: Korean, English

Religions: Christian 26.3% (Protestant 19.7%, Roman Catholic 6.6%), Buddhist 23.2%, other or unknown 1.3%, none 49.3%

Legal Holidays:

Assumption Day	Aug 28
Children's Day	May 5
Independence Movement Day	Mar 1
Liberation Day	Aug 15
Memorial Day	Jun 6
National Foundation Day	Oct 3
New Year's Day	Jan 1