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

2. 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
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

3. Land Features North Korea
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

4. Land Features South Korea
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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Works Cited
"North Korea." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 01 Feb < "South Korea." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 02 Feb < Fry, Michael. "National Geographic, Korea, and the 38th Parallel." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 05 Aug Web. 01 Feb < "Geography of South Korea." Princeton University. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Feb <