Korea: Geographic Features Larry Zhang Cassie Eagle 2/3/14

Overview North Korea South Korea Located in East Asia as the Northern segment of the Korean Peninsula Occupies area between the 37° and 43°N latitudes and the 124° and 131°E longitudes Covers 46,541 sq mi in land area South Korea Also located in East Asia below North Korea, occupying the southern half of the Korean Peninsula Occupies area between the 33° and 39°N latitudes and the 124° and 130°E longitudes Covers 38,622 sq mi in land area

Land Features North Korea Borders China and Russia to the north and South Korea to the south Borders Yellow Sea and Korea Bay to the west and Sea of Japan to the east Amnok (Yalu) River is the longest river, flowing over 491 miles Baekdu Mountain is the highest point in North Korea Almost 4/5 of the available land is classified as mountains and highlands divided by deep valleys Major mountain ranges include the Hamgyong in the northeast, Rangrim in north-central, and the Kangnam

Land Features South Korea Borders North Korea to the north Borders Yellow Sea to the west, Sea of Japan to the east, and East China Sea to the south Major rivers are the Hatan, Imji, and Soyang Rivers The land is mostly hills and mountains, with wide coastal plains in the western and southern areas Mountainous regions occupy 70% of the land, with arable lowlands only composing 30% Major mountain ranges include the Seroaksan, Saejae, and Mungyeong ranges

Similar Places North Korea and South Korea Geographically similar to Japan, which is also very mountainous in that only a small portion of the land, the ecumene, is habitable Also share many features that are present in China, such as coastal plains and lowlands North Korea, unlike South Korea, Japan, or Northern China, experiences very few earthquakes

38th Parallel The 38th parallel divides North and South Korea as two distinct, separate states Heavily demilitarized zone that is about 150 miles long and 1.2 miles wide on both sides Both North Korean and South Korean troops monitor both sides strictly Serves as a buffer between the Koreas

Importance of Location North Korea North Korea is strategically located on the Northern half of the Korean Peninsula, bordering China, Russia and South Korea Has access to resources such as those in the ocean where oil is present, allowing for primary economic activities South Korea Borders North Korea and has access to large bodies of water Offshore economic zones are easily accessible to South Korea Countries want to possess South Korea because it is in a prime location for trade and commerce

Works Cited "North Korea." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2014. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kn.html>. "South Korea." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2014. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ks.html>. Fry, Michael. "National Geographic, Korea, and the 38th Parallel." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 05 Aug. 2013. Web. 01 Feb. 2014. <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/08/130805-korean-war-dmz-armistice-38-parallel-geography/>. "Geography of South Korea." Princeton University. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2014. <http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Geography_of_South_Korea.html>.