Profile
Background and figures as recorded in the CIA World Factbook.
The first recorded kingdom (Choson) on the Korean Peninsula dates from approximately 2300 B.C. Over the subsequent centuries, three main kingdoms -- Kogoryo, Paekche, and Silla -- were established on the Peninsula. By the 5th century A.D., Kogoryo emerged as the most powerful, with control over much of the Peninsula and part of Manchuria (modern-day northeast China). However, Silla allied with the Chinese to create the first unified Korean state in 688. Following the collapse of Silla in the 9th century, Korea was unified under the Koryo (Goryeo; 918-1392) and the Chosen (Joseon; 1392-1910) dynasties.
- Capital
- Pyongyang
- Government
- dictatorship, single-party communist state
- Population
- 26,402,841
- Area
- 120,538 sq km
- Location
- Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea
- Climate
- temperate, with rainfall concentrated in summer; long, bitter winters
- Natural resources
- coal; iron ore; limestone; magnesite; graphite; copper…
- Languages
- Korean
- Religions
- traditionally Buddhist and Confucian; some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way)
- Independence
- 15 August 1945 (from Japan)
- Administrative divisions
- 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 4 special administration cities (si, singular and plural) provinces: Chagang,…
- Currency
- North Korean won (KPW)
- Export partners
- China 74%; Poland 3%; Senegal 3%; Angola 3%…
- Import partners
- China 97%; Togo 1%; Peru 1%; Gabon 1%…
Source: CIA World Factbook — a work of the US government, in the public domain