Let's Learn about Korea on Wednesdays: Korea the Country

In our process of adopting Bates from South Korea, Nick and I have been learning about South Korea, its people, and its culture. We plan on incorporating some Korean traditions into our family. Korea will forever be linked to our family and our son.

I have decided to help pass the waiting, I would start a weekly "Let's Learn about Korea on Wednesdays" segment. Each week I will blog about a different topic, tradition, or Korean culture. This way, you can learn right along with us (if you want, and we know you do!)

Today we will start with South Korea as a country.

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea 대한민국, often simply referred to as Korea, is a country in East Asia, located on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by China to the west, Japan to the east, and North Korea to the north. Its capital is Seoul, the second largest metropolitan city in the world and a major global city. South Korea lies in a temperate climate region with a predominantly mountainous terrain. The country's total area is 38,622.57 square miles and has a population of over 48 million, making it the third most densely populated country in the world (after Bangladesh and Taiwan).



Korea has a democracy government and like many democracies, the government is divided into three branches: executive, judicial, and legislative.

In 1988, Seoul successfully hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics.

Some highlights from those Olympic Games: US sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner sets a still-standing Olympic Record (10.62) in the 100 meter dash and a still-standing world record (21.34) in the 200 meter dash to capture gold in both events.
These were also the Olympic games that US diver Greg Louganis hit the springboard with his head in the 3 m event final.

Although South Korea is joined by land to China it might as well be an island. And that's because the only way to get from South Korea to the rest of Asia by land is by traveling through North Korea. And at the moment the border into North Korea is closed. Everything comes in and out of South Korea by boat or plane.

Next week's lesson: the Korean flag.