Explore South Korea

Written by: Natalie Yao

South Korea has one of the most vibrant cultures in the world, influenced by the nature surrounding them. It is known to have amazing food and it is very fun to learn about!

Geography and Nature

South Korea is located on a peninsula, meaning that the land is surrounded by water on three sides, those being the Sea of Japan to the East, the Yellow Sea to the West, and the East China Sea to the South. The country is also neighboring other countries such as China, Japan, and Taiwan. Like its neighbors, South Korea contains many mountain ranges, but they are smaller in size compared to the ones of other countries. The reason for this is because the mountains are so old that rain and wind have weakened them over thousands of years. 

The country is inhabited by over 50 million people, most people living in the major cities such as Seoul, Busan, and Daegu. Since there are so many people living on a small piece of land, much of its natural habitat has been reduced because of the demand for space. Previously, more than half of South Korea’s land was covered by forests but now there is almost. Yet, the nation protects a great deal of that land with their 21 national parks spread out across the country. Some of the animals that can be found in these areas are deer, rabbits, foxes, otters, and even leopards!

Food

With access to plentiful oceans, South Korean cuisine is influenced by seafood such as fish, squid, crabs, shrimp, and mussels. Rice and vegetables are used a great amount, making Korean food very healthy! Some of the seasonings Korean people use are soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine, and gochujang (red pepper paste). Additionally, Koreans eat a lot of meat as well in Korean barbecue and bulgogi (grilled marinated beef). 

Some dishes include: 

• Kimchi, spicy fermented vegetables, most commonly used being cabbage

• Bibimbap, a bowl of rice, vegetables, egg, and meat that is eaten by mixing them all together

• Japchae, boiled glass noodles paired with vibrant veggies

• Jeon, savory pancakes that contain different combinations of veggies and seafood

Culture

The dominant religion in South Korea in the present day is Christianity, followed by Buddhists. However, more than half of Koreans are non-religious. Along with many other nations in Asia, South Korea also celebrates Lunar New Year, usually during January or February. Another important holiday is the Harvest Moon Festival, celebrated in September or October. In terms of entertainment, K-pop has become popular in Korean culture, the bands being made up of boy and girl groups such as BTS and Blackpink. 

As you can see, South Korea is filled with a beautiful natural landscape in its forests and delicious food, showing that its culture is one of the most vibrant.