Gangwon Province, South Korea

Coordinates: 37°30′N 128°15′E / 37.500°N 128.250°E / 37.500; 128.250
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(Redirected from
Gangwon-do (South Korea)
)
Gangwon State
강원특별자치도
Korean transcription(s)
 • Hangul강원특별자치
 • Hanja江原特別自治
 • McCune‑ReischauerKangwŏn T'ŭkpyŏl Chach'ido
 • Revised RomanizationGangwon Teukbyeol Jachido
Flag of Gangwon State
Official logo of Gangwon State
Location of Gangwon State
Coordinates: 37°30′N 128°15′E / 37.500°N 128.250°E / 37.500; 128.250
Country South Korea
RegionGwandong
(Yeongseo: western Gangwon; Yeongdong: eastern Gangwon)
Largest cityWonju
CapitalChuncheon
Subdivisions7 cities; 11 counties
Government
 • GovernorKim Jin-tae
(People Power)
Area
 • Total16,875 km2 (6,515 sq mi)
Population
 (October, 2022[2])
 • Total1,537,339[1]
 • Density91/km2 (240/sq mi)
Metropolitan Symbols
 • FlowerRoyal azalea
 • TreeKorean pine
 • BirdRed-crowned crane
GDP
 • TotalKR₩ 53 trillion
US$ 42 billion (2022)
ISO 3166 codeKR-42
DialectGangwon
(Yeongseo: western Gangwon dialect; Yeongdong: eastern Gangwon dialect)
WebsiteOfficial website (English)

Gangwon State (

a single province
.

Pyeongchang County in Gangwon hosted the 2018 Winter Olympics and 2018 Winter Paralympics. Gangwon also hosted the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.

History

Gangwon Province was one of the

Joseon Dynasty, formed in 1395, deriving its name from the names of the principal cities of Gangneung (강릉; 江陵) and the provincial capital Wonju
(원주; 原州).

In 1895 Gangwon Province was replaced by the Districts of Chuncheon (Chuncheon-bu; 춘천부; 春川府) in the west and Gangneung (Gangneung-bu; 강릉부; 江陵府) in the east, with Wonju becoming a part of Chungju District.

In 1896 Korea was redivided into thirteen provinces, and the two districts were merged to re-form Gangwondo Province. Although Wonju re-joined Gangwon-do, the provincial capital was moved to Chuncheon, where it remains. During the Japanese rule of Korea, it was known as Kōgen-dō.

In 1945 Gangwon Province, along with the rest of Korea, was divided by the

Military Demarcation Line
.

On June 11, 2023, Gangwon Province became a special self-governing province, and the official English name is Gangwon State.[4] Despite calling itself a state, Gangwon State is considered a self-governing province, not a self-governing state.

Geography

Landscape

The province's landscape is dominated by the Taebaek Mountains (called Taebaek Sanmaek) which almost reach the sea. As a consequence the coast is very steep.[citation needed]

Regions

Gangwon-do and its North Korean counterpart Kangwŏn are together referred to as the Gwandong region. The region west of the Taebaek Mountains is called Yeongseo, while the region east of the mountains is called Yeongdong. The term "Yeongdong" is frequently used in reference to transportation services from Seoul, meaning one might catch a bus or train on the Yeongdong Line, or drive to Gangneung on the Yeongdong Expressway.[citation needed]

Climate

Gangwon State's

Hot-summer humid continental climate, because it is Dwb in some mountain areas, Dfa in eastern areas, Dfb in eastern mountain areas, and Dwa otherwise.[clarification needed] The Taebaek Mountains create different climates in Yeongdong and Yeongseo.[2]

The climate of Gangwon State is influenced by its latitude. In summer, along with higher temperatures, high humidity is present, however in winter the weather can be very cold, due to high pressure[clarification needed] from eastern Asia. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration's data, average temperatures vary. In Yongdong, the average temperature is 11.0 °C (51.8 °F), and in Yeongseo, it is 10.8 °C (51.4 °F). All of the province's average temperatures range from 6.6 to 13.1 °C (43.9 to 55.6 °F). and the yearly amount of rainfall is 1,300–1,900 millimetres (51.2–74.8 in), concentrated on mountain areas, being one of the snowiest areas in South Korea.[5]

Resources

The area of Gangwon State in both North Korea and South Korea is 20,569 km2 (7,941.74 sq mi),

hydroelectric, thermoelectric power plants in the region.[citation needed
]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1980 1,790,954—    
1990 1,580,430−1.24%
2000 1,487,011−0.61%
2010 1,471,513−0.10%
2015 1,518,040+0.62%
2020 1,521,763+0.05%
Source: Citypopulation[6]

Culture and Heritages

Ulsanbawi is one of the primary attractions of Seoraksan National Park.

Heritage

It is unknown when the first people of Gangwon began to live, but Paleolithic sites have been excavated.[7]

Many historical artifacts are found in the region, like the

North–South States Period era's Iron Seated Vairocana Buddha of Dopiansa Temple, the Goryeo era's Main Gate of Imyeonggwan Guesthouse, and the Joseon era's Documents of Sangwonsa Temple. Other popular historical areas, like Ojukheon are located in the region.[citation needed
]

Because of Gangwon Province's landscape, a number of old Buddhist temples have survived, like Woljeongsa and Oseam.

Museums

Established in 2002, the Chuncheon National Museum is operated by the central government for the purpose of classification and reservation.[8] The local government also has museums, including the Park Su-geun Art Museum,[9] and the Taebaek Coal Museum. Purpose-built private museums, such as the ChamSori Gramophone Edison Museum[10] are also operated.

Festivals

In Gangwon Province, almost all of the regions hold festivals. Gangneung Danoje was listed in UNESCO's Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.[11]

Geographically, Gangwon Province has several national parks as well as some natural monuments.

Food

Gangwon Province is composed of mountains or basins, so locals mainly make food with

Donghae City is famous for Donghae steamed fish; Sokcho is famous for Sokcho Squid Sausages; and Samcheok is famous for blowfish soup. These are normally very simple and easy to cook, like the province's traditional food.[12]

Tourism

National Parks & Nature Monuments

Due to the Taebaek Mountains, Gangwon Province has 4 national parks & several natural monuments.

  • Chinese minnow, and the spotted barbel. Endangered animals include the Tristram's woodpecker, Korean goral, and Korean musk deer. Cultural landmarks in the reserve include the Buddhist templesBaekdamsa and Sinheungsa
    .
  • Baekdudaegan, and it was assigned as a national park in 1975. Odaesan is one of the holy places of Korean Buddhist cultures.[16]
  • Chiaksan National Park: Chiaksan is derived from the southwest side of Odaesan, close to Wonju. In 2014, Wonju and the Korea National Park Service collaborated to make walking routes.[17]
  • Taebaeksan National Park: Taebaeksan is a traditional and historical "holy mountain," and it was assigned as a national park on October 22, 2016.[18] Taebaeksan Mountain is located at the fork of Baekdudaegan Mountain Range, which starts from Bagdu into the south, heading to Jirisan Mountain. Ever since it has been designated as a provincial park, Taebaeksan Mountain has widened its realm[clarification needed] and thus designated it as the 22nd national park. The park ranges from Gangwon Province to North Gyeongsang Province (Bongwha-gun) and spans 70.052 km2 (27.047 sq mi). There are various cultural assets in Taebaeksan Mountain including Cheonjaedan, a place where a harvest ceremony had been held for thousands of years, and Geomryongso, the source of the Han River. It also has various and outstanding ecological landscapes including the biggest wildflower habitat in the country (Geumdaebong Peak to Daedeoksan Mountain), yew habitat around Janggunbong Peak, and Baekcheon Valley, the world's southernmost Lenok habitat.

The

Korea War.[21]

DMZ Museum

The museum has a large amount of English in its narration of the history of the DMZ, as well as exhibits such as

POW
letters and extensive amounts of photos. It is inside the Tongil Security Park.

Gangneung-si (강릉시)

Gangneung contains beaches connecting each other from north to south along the coast. These beaches are covered with pine tree forests, planted to block the sea breeze.

Cheorwon-gun (철원군)

The Second Tunnel

"Found in the DMZ"[clarification needed] was found by Korean guards listening to the sound of explosions under the ground during their shift. After determined excavation on March 19, 1975, "The Second Tunnel" was discovered. It was for a sudden raid by the North Korean Army into South Korea. The second tunnel is composed of a firm granitic layer, is 3.5 km in length, and various in depth from 50m-160m. About 1 km of it is nowadays open to visitors.[citation needed]

Woljeong-ri Station

Woljeong-ri station is a historical building in the DMZ at Cheorwon.  The tourist attraction, which can only be visited on escorted security tours of the DMZ, is an abandoned train station on the northernmost end of Korail's Gyeongwon Line. Near the station there was a small yard where rail stock was stored or shunted before leaving for Wonsan, now in North Korea, along the former Gyeongwon Line. Behind the station building there is the wreck of a train, bombed during the Korean War, used by the North Korean army and bombed by U.N. forces. In 2012, it became a place where artists can meet and exhibit their works.[citation needed]

Sokcho-si (속초시)

Goseong Unification Observatory Building

When the area was part of North Korea from 1945 to 1953, the building is now the closest most South Koreans can get to North Korea. There are binoculars installed on the viewing deck, and inside the observatory is a large map labelled with mountain names and the locations of military installations. Kiosks here sell liquor, cash, postage stamps and other souvenirs from North Korea.[original research?] On a clear day, you can get a good view of Kumgang-san, about 20 km to the west. Despite the solemnity of the place, the parking lot is cluttered with souvenir shops and restaurants.[original research?] On the other side of the lot is the Korean War Exhibition Hall.

Others

Gangwon Province has many tourist attractions, as well as natural monuments, including

seaside resorts
are located, including Gyongpo Seaside Resort.

The only domestic casino in Gangwon is Kangwon Land, located in Jeongseon County.[citation needed]

The province also houses the largest ski resort in South Korea, Yongpyong Resort.[citation needed]

Religion

Religion in Gangwon Province (2015)[22]

  Not religious (58.7%)
  Protestantism (17.5%)
  Buddhism (16.4%)
  Catholicism (6.6%)
  Other (0.8%)

According to the 2015 census, 16.4% of the population follow Buddhism and 24.1% follow Christianity (17.5% Protestantism and 6.6% Catholicism). 58.7% of the population is not religious and 0.8% of the population follow other religions.[22]

Transportation

Railway

Gangwon Province's railways were originally built to transport mining resources to harbours.[23][24]

Jungang Line Northern Direction with Jungang Expressway Wonju Bridge

In Gangwon-Province, some

Jungang Line is connected to the Seoul Metropolitan Subway System, the Yeongdong Line and the Taebaek Line are derived from the Jungang Line, and the Gyeonggang Line was constructed, but currently[when?] it is not perfectly connected to the Seoul Metropolitan Subway System. KTX trains launched from Seoul to Gangneung on 22 December 2017 via the Gyeonggang Line, but they still run a part of the Jungang Line.[25] In 2016, a plan was passed to extend the KTX line from Gangneung to Sokcho.[26]

The Gyeongwon Line and the North Dong-hae Line are blocked by the Military Demarcation Line.

Air

Gangwon Province has several military airbases, while civil passengers can use only two airports, Wonju Airport and Yangyang International Airport. Wonju Airport is shared with the Republic of Korea Air Force, like Daegu International Airport and Gimhae International Airport.[27]

Currently Wonju and Yangyang Airport are now operated as domestic airports.[28][29]

Road

Gangwon Province's road length totals to 9,800 km (6,100 mi), and 75.1% is paved.[30] Some historical and traditional ridges have survived, like Daegwallyeong. It has many routes, like Route 7, which is included in AH6.

It also has

Controlled-access highways. Yeongdong Expressway is the first express way in the region, and Gwangju–Wonju Expressway, Jungang Expressway, Donghae Expressway, Seoul–Yangyang Expressway
were built, afterwards. Seoul–Yangyang Expressway has the longest road tunnel in South Korea.

Buses

Like the railways, Gangwon Province is connected by intercity bus networks in South Korea. All cities and counties have intercity terminals, which connect other cities or counties in the region or connect outer cities, districts, and Incheon International Airport.

Sea

Gangwon Province has many harbours. Some harbours are fishing ports, but other harbours are used for special purposes. For example, Mukpo Harbour functions as an exporting hub for cement & coal from the Taebaek Mountains.[31] Sokcho Harbour functions as a fishing port, a passenger harbour and as an exporting hub for iron ore.[31] Also recently[when?], Korea Gas Corporation built the LNG Platform Center at Hosan Harbour.[32]

Gangwon province also has ferry lines. Sokcho Harbour has a pier for

cruise ships,[33]
but until 2018, no cruise route existed.

Sports

Sport teams

Soccer

Gangwon FC bases itself in the region, owned by Gangwon Province. Jin-seon Kim, the Governor of Gangwon Province announced it on April 28, 2008[37] and was established on December 18, 2008.[38]

Ice Hockey

ice hockey team, established in September 2009. South Korea has only 3 professional ice hockey clubs, including High1.[39]

The Daeyung Killer Whales was established in 2016, originally based in the region.[40]

Basketball

Wonju DB Promy is a professional basketball team, based in Wonju, Gangwon Province. It was established is 1996. It donated coal in collaboration with a local government-owned company, Korea Coal Corporation.[41]

List of Gangwon Province sport clubs

Gangneung Stadium, the home ground of Gangwon FC
Leagues Team Name Est.
K League 1 Gangwon FC 2008
K3 League Gangneung Citizen FC 1999
K3 League
Chuncheon Citizen FC
2010
K4 League Pyeongchang United FC 2008
WK League Hwacheon KSPO WFC 2011
KBL Wonju DB Promy 1996
Asia League Ice Hockey High1 2004
Asia League Ice Hockey Daemyung Killer Whales 2016

Sport Events

The 1999 Asian Winter Games were held in Gangwon Province between January 30 and February 6, 1999. South Korea, the host nation ranked 2nd in these games.

The 2018 Winter Olympics was held from February 9–25, 2018, and the 2018 Winter Paralympics was held from March 9–18, 2018. Almost all of the events were held in Pyeongchang County. Alpine skiing events were held in Jeongseon County, while some indoor events were held in Gangneung.

The 2024 Winter Youth Olympics was also held in Gangwon Province.[42]

Municipalities

The main cities of the province are

Donghae. Currently Gangwon Province, has 7 cities, and 11 counties[43]

Map # Name Hangul Hanja Population (2016)[44] Subdivisions
City
1 Wonju 원주시 原州市 341,130 1 eup, 8 myeon, 16 haengjeong-dong
2 Chuncheon (Capital city) 춘천시 春川市 283,951 1 eup, 9 myeon, 15 haengjeong-dong
3 Gangneung 강릉시 江陵市 215,721 1 eup, 7 myeon, 13 haengjeong-dong
4
Donghae
동해시 東海市 93,958 10 haengjeong-dong
5 Sokcho 속초시 束草市 82,670 8 haengjeong-dong
6 Samcheok 삼척시 三陟市 70,371 2 eup, 6 myeon, 4 haengjeong-dong
7 Taebaek 태백시 太白市 47,333 8 haengjeong-dong
County
8
Hongcheon County
홍천군 洪川郡 70,961 1 eup, 9 myeon
9 Cheorwon County 철원군 鐵原郡 48,699 4 eup, 7 myeon
10
Hoengseong County
횡성군 橫城郡 46,662 1 eup, 8 myeon
11 Pyeongchang County 평창군 平昌郡 43,782 1 eup, 7 myeon
12
Jeongseon County
정선군 旌善郡 38,993 4 eup, 5 myeon
13
Yeongwol County
영월군 寧越郡 40,330 2 eup, 7 myeon
14
Inje County
인제군 麟蹄郡 33,061 1 eup, 5 myeon
15
Goseong County
고성군 高城郡 30,749 2 eup, 4 myeon
16
Yangyang County
양양군 襄陽郡 27,515 1 eup, 5 myeon
17
Hwacheon County
화천군 華川郡 26,489 1 eup, 4 myeon
18
Yanggu County
양구군 楊口郡 24,264 1 eup, 4 myeon

Claimed

Friendship partners

See also

  • Gangwon Province (historical)

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  45. ^ 자매결연지역 (in Korean). 연강원도 국제교류과. Archived from the original on 2018-02-09. Retrieved 2018-02-09.

External links