Seoul, South Korea

According to abbreviationfinder, Seoul or Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest city of South Korea. A megacity with a population of more than 10 million, Seoul is one of the largest cities in the world. The Seoul National Capital Area is the second largest metropolitan area in the world with more than 24.5 million residents, which includes the metropolis Incheon and the majority of Gyeonggi province. Almost half of South Korea’s population lives in the Seoul National Capital Area and almost a quarter in Seoul itself, making it the main economic, political and cultural center of the country.

Geography

Seoul is located in the northwest of South Korea. Seoul comprises 605.25 km², with a radius of approximately 15 km, roughly bisected into two halves, north and south by the Han River. The Han River and its surroundings have played an important role in Korean history.. The Three Kingdoms of Korea strove to take control of this land, where the river is used as a trade route to China (via the Yellow Sea). The river is no longer actively used for navigation, because its estuary is located on the borders of the two Koreas, with the entry of civilians prohibited. The city is surrounded by eight mountains, as well as the highest lands of the Han River Plain and western areas.

Climate

Seoul is located in the border region between a humid subtropical and humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Cwa / DWA), depending on the definition. Summers are generally hot and humid, with the East Asian monsoon occurring between June and July. August is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 22.4 to 29.6 ° C with the highest possible temperatures. Winters are usually relatively cold with an average temperature in January of -5.9 to 1.5 ° C and are generally much drier than summers, with an average of 28 days of snow per year.

Economy

As the headquarters of Samsung, LG, Hyundai, Kia and SK, Seoul has become a major commercial center. Despite accounting for only 0.6 percent of South Korea’s land area, Seoul generates 21 percent of the country’s GDP.

Finance

A relatively large number of TNCs are based in Seoul. International banks with branches in Seoul include Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Barclays, Grupo Santander, UBS, Credit Suisse, Unicredit, Société Générale, Calyon, BBVA, Macquarie Group, ING Bank, and Standard Chartered. The Korea Exchange Bank is also based in the city.

Shopping

The most modern shopping center is Times Square, which also has a Starium CGV cinema with the largest screen in the world of cinema, certified by Guinness World Records. South Korea’s largest market, Dongdaemun Market, is located in Seoul. Myeongdong is a shopping and entertainment center in central Seoul, with medium and high-end stores, boutiques, and international brand stores. The nearby Namdaemun Market, named after the Namdaemun Gate, is the oldest market in Seoul. Sinchon is a commercial area that caters mainly to a young audience and university students.

Insadong is the cultural art market of Seoul, Korea, where modern and traditional works of art such as paintings, sculptures and calligraphies are sold. Hwanghak-dong Flea Market and Janganpyeong Old Market also offer vintage goods. Some local designer shops have opened in Samcheong-dong, where many small art galleries are located. Itaewon is mainly geared towards foreign tourists and American soldiers based in the city. Gangnam District is one of the most prosperous areas in Seoul and is characterized by the Apgujeong-dong and Cheongdam-dong areas of fashion and luxury and the COEX mall. Wholesale markets include the Noryangjin Wholesale Fishing Market and the Garak Market. Yongsan Electronics market is the largest electronics market in Asia. The Gasan Digital complex also has an extensive variety of electronic products.

Religion

There are also religious buildings that have an important role in Korean society and politics. The Wongudan altar was a sacrificial site where the rulers of Korea held celestial rituals since the Three Kingdoms period. Since the Joseon dynasty adopted Confucianism as a national ideology in the 14th century, the state built many Confucian temples. The descendants of the Joseon royal family still hold ceremonies to commemorate the ancestors in Jongmyo., the oldest preserved Confucian royal sanctuary where ritual ceremonies follow a tradition established in the 14th century. Munmyo and Dongmyo were built during the same period. Although Buddhism was suppressed by the Joseon state, it has continued its existence. Jogyesa is the headquarters of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Hwagyesa and Bongeunsa are also the main Buddhist temples in Seoul. See population of South Korea.

Myeongdong Cathedral is a landmark of the Myeongdong district and the largest established Catholic church in Korea. It is a symbol of Christianity in Korea. It was also a focus of political dissent in the late 20th century.

There are many Protestant churches in Seoul. The largest number are Presbyterian, but there are also Methodists, Baptists, and Lutheran churches.

The Seoul Central Mosque, which is located in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu was the first mosque built in Korea after the Korean War. It remains the only mosque in Seoul, and is a tourist attraction for Koreans who visit on weekends to listen to talks about Islam.