|
Most people know the country as South
Korea, but it’s officially called the Republic of Korea. However, whatever you
know it as, it’s certainly worth a visit to enjoy the way of life and study some
of its history. Because the physically small country of about 50 million people
sits between China and Japan, and North Korea borders it to the north, there are
definitely some other Asian influences.
Many people make their way to Seoul,
the capital city, but you can get a better feel for the lifestyle of the
citizens by venturing out into the mountainous countryside and visiting some of
the smaller towns and cities. The country is separated into several unofficial
regions and they represent the various geographical, historical and dialect
differences.
The history of the country dates back
to about 2000 BC. The Korean Peninsula was divided into North and South Korea
after World War II. Since the war, South Korea has grown in leaps and bounds
when it comes to its economy and enjoys a high standard of living. In fact, it
has the 15th largest economy on the globe.
A trip to Seoul is always recommended
though, as you can see how magnificent and modern parts of this country truly
are. Seoul amazes most visitors with its skyscrapers, restaurants, monuments and
various sections of the city. It’s easy to navigate and there’s more than enough
to see and do in this city of 10 million.
If you’d like to head out into the
countryside, you’ll be glad to know South Korea is home to a highly advanced
transportation network. This is made up of excellent highways, high-speed
trains, various ferry service and bus routes, as well as air services that cross
the nation. However, if you’re driving, be aware that some of the highways are
toll roads.
It’s easy to get to any major city in
the land, such as Incheon, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Daejeon. Most of these
centers also have underground trains. The country’s major airport, Incheon
International, was named the best in the world for four straight years according
to Airports Council International. There are several other international and
domestic airports as well as heliports if you’d like to fly around the country.
All of these cities will keep you
busy as they’re quite large and offer an interesting perspective into the
country’s culture, cuisine, and history. They all offer a variety of delights
including traditional arts and theater. You’ll find South Koreans aren’t overly
religious in their beliefs and most of the population is Christian or Buddhist
with some regions being Islamic. However, you’ll be able to find numerous
temples and palaces to visit. If you’d like to see some fine examples of
traditional Korean architecture, some of the best places to visit are Korean
Folk Village, Hahoe Folk Village, and Yangdong Village of Gyeongju.
The food will also differ depending
on what area you’re in. But some of the most popular dishes in the country
include noodles, rice, meats, vegetable, fish, soups, and tofu. Just about every
meal comes with several side dishes. This includes Kimchi, which is a well-known
spicy fermented vegetable dish. The food is typically seasoned with sesame oil,
soybean paste, garlic, salt, ginger, soy sauce, and hot pepper sauce.
Sports are huge in South Korea, and
they’re fanatical about soccer, the martial arts, and baseball in particular.
The country has hosted many major sporting events such as the Olympics, Asian
Games, and FIFA World Cup. Tourists will heading over later in 2010 to witness
the first Formula One race held there in Yeongam, about 250 miles of Seoul.
Daegu will host the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics in 2011.
South Korea is more than ideal for
travelers who want to take in the big city life as well as spending time in the
small villages and countryside. Hotels and restaurants can easily be found for
all budgets and the humid continental climate includes a winter, which can be
quite cold. So make sure you dress for the season when visiting. |
Korea
