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South Korea

Population: 50,004,441 (est.)

Language(s): Korean

Capital: Seoul

Interesting Facts:

The South Korean won ₩ is the official currency of South Korea.
The predominant religions in South Korea are the traditional Buddhist faith and a large Christian population (composed of Catholic Christians and Protestants of various denominations), though a large segment of the population is not religious.
South Korea has a republic government, with authority and power shared between the President, the Legislature, and the Courts.
The emigration rate of South Korea is one of the highest in the world, with most of the ethnic Koreans migrating to China, the United States, Japan, and countries of the former Soviet Union.
South Korea has the world’s highest estimated national IQ, with leading rankings in mathematics, science, problem solving and reading.
South Korea is one of the 5 most popular automobile makers in the world, leaded by brands like Hyundai and Kia.
Tipping in South Korea is neither appreciated or expected.
Fruits in South Korea are very expensive. In fact, fruits are often considered a luxury.

South Korea, also called the Republic of Korea, is a sovereign state located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The name “Korea” is derived from Goryeo, a dynasty which ruled in the Middle Ages. Its neighbors are China to the west, Japan to the east, and North Korea to the north. South Korea lies in the north temperate zone with a predominantly mountainous terrain. It covers a total area of 99,392 square kilometersand has a population of 50 million. The capital and largest city is Seoul, with a population of 9.8 million.

Archaeology indicates that the Korean Peninsula was occupied by the Lower Paleolithic period (2.6 Ma-300 Ka)^. Korean history begins with the founding of Gojoseon in 2333 BC by the legendary Dan-gun. Following the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea under Silla 668 AD, Korea was ruled by the Goryeo Dynasty (918—1392) and Joseon Dynasty (1392—1910). It was annexed by Japan in 1910. At the end of World War II, Korea was divided into Soviet and U.S. zones of occupation. An election was held the U.S. zone in 1948 which led to the creation of the Republic of Korea. Although the United Nations passed a resolution declaring the Republic to be the only lawful government in Korea, the Soviets set up a rival government in the North.

The Korean War began in 1950 when forces from the North invaded the South. The war lasted three years and involved the U.S., China, the Soviet Union, and many other nations. The border between the two nations remains the most heavily fortified in the world.In the decades that followed, the South Korean economy grew significantly and the country was transformed into a major economy. Civilian government replaced military rule in 1987. Presently, South Korea has strict gun control laws that rank them among countries with the fewest quantity of firearms per capita.

South Korea is a presidential republic consisting of seventeen administrative divisions and is a developed country with a very high standard of living. It is Asia‘s fourth largest economy and the world’s 15th (nominal) or 12th (purchasing power parity) largest economy.The economy is export-driven, with production focusing on electronics, automobiles, ships, machinery, petrochemicals and robotics. South Korea is a member of the United Nations, WTO, and OECD. It is also a founding member of APEC and the East Asia Summit.

Source: Wikipedia