Search Geography Explorer

Search countries, cities, rivers, lakes, deserts, oceans, islands and more

Fun facts about South Korea

5 facts - tap any card to flip it and learn more.

Discover more facts
Seokguram Grotto from the Silla era, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
country

The name Korea is derived from the historical kingdom name Goryeo, which was pronounced as 'Korea' by visiting Arab and Persian merchants.

South Korea
Tap to learn more
country

South Korea

Population
51.7M
Area
100,210 km²
Capital
Seoul
Continent
Asia
29th most populous country in the world

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east.

From the “Etymology” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Seok-Hong, Han · KOGL Type 1

Fact 1 permalink
Seokguram Grotto from the Silla era, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
country

Goguryeo, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, was a highly militaristic state that competed with various Chinese dynasties for 700 years.

South Korea
Tap to learn more
country

South Korea

Population
51.7M
Area
100,210 km²
Capital
Seoul
Continent
Asia
29th most populous country in the world

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east.

From the “History” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Seok-Hong, Han · KOGL Type 1

Fact 2 permalink
Seokguram Grotto from the Silla era, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
country

Baekje was sometimes referred to as the 'Phoenicia of East Asia' due to its maritime power and ability to spread Buddhism throughout East Asia.

South Korea
Tap to learn more
country

South Korea

Population
51.7M
Area
100,210 km²
Capital
Seoul
Continent
Asia
29th most populous country in the world

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east.

From the “History” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Seok-Hong, Han · KOGL Type 1

Fact 3 permalink
Seokguram Grotto from the Silla era, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
country

Seoul's tap water was recently branded 'Arisu' to convince the public that it is safe to drink.

South Korea
Tap to learn more
country

South Korea

Population
51.7M
Area
100,210 km²
Capital
Seoul
Continent
Asia
29th most populous country in the world

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east.

From the “Geography” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Seok-Hong, Han · KOGL Type 1

Fact 4 permalink
Seokguram Grotto from the Silla era, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
country

South Korea was the world's seventh largest emitter of carbon emissions in 2017.

South Korea
Tap to learn more
country

South Korea

Population
51.7M
Area
100,210 km²
Capital
Seoul
Continent
Asia
29th most populous country in the world

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east.

From the “Geography” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Seok-Hong, Han · KOGL Type 1

Fact 5 permalink