Jeju Province

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province is a unique region in South Korea. It is the country's southernmost province. The province sits in the Korea Strait. The Korean Peninsula lies to the northwest. Japan is to the east. China is to the west.

The province includes 63 islands in total. Eight of these islands are inhabited by people. The other 55 islands are uninhabited. Notable islands include Marado and Udo. The largest landmass is Jeju Island. The province is divided into two main cities. Jeju City is in the northern half. Seogwipo is in the southern half.

The geography of Jeju is defined by volcanic activity. The island is home to Hallasan. Hallasan is a shield volcano. It is also the highest point in South Korea.

This volcanic history makes the island very special. In 2007, UNESCO named the island a World Heritage site. This title was given to the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes. The island features many natural wonders. You can find beautiful waterfalls like Jeongbang.

You can also see unique landscapes like Seongsan Ilchulbong.

The ground is often covered in dark basalt. This is a volcanic rock. People use this rock to build walls called batdam.

Human history on the island began many thousands of years ago. People first settled there between 8,000 and 10,000 years ago. The earliest known civilization was the Tamna Kingdom. Local legends tell of three demigods. These demigods emerged from Samseong on the slopes of Hallasan. They are said to be the ancestors of the Jeju people.

The Tamna Kingdom had a complex relationship with mainland kingdoms. It was a tributary state to various Korean kingdoms. The Mongol Empire also invaded the island. In 1271, the Sambyeolcho force fought the combined Korean and Mongol armies. The Mongols later used the island to graze horses. This lasted until 1356.

The island's political status changed many times over the centuries. In 1105, the Goryeo court abolished the name Tamna. They renamed the area Tamna-gun, or a district. Later, the name was changed to Jeju. This name means "province across the sea." During the Joseon dynasty, the island faced strict rules. For nearly 200 years, there was a travel ban. Islanders were often treated like foreigners. They were sometimes sent to the island as political prisoners. This led to several major uprisings. These included the Kang Je Geom Rebellion in 1862. Other revolts happened in 1898 and 1901.

The 20th century brought significant hardship to the province. In 1910, the Empire of Japan annexed Korea. This included Jeju Island. During this time, many residents had to leave for work. However, people also resisted Japanese rule. In 1931 and 1932, the haenyeo led a major protest. Haenyeo are women divers. This was one of the largest protests led by women. Later, a very violent event occurred in 1948. This is known as the Jeju uprising. It lasted for 13 months. Between 14,000 and 30,000 people were killed.

This period of history was often kept secret from the mainland. Today, people work to remember these events.

In modern times, Jeju has seen new developments and challenges. In 1993, South Korea began planning a naval base. This became the Jeju Civilian-Military Complex Port. Construction began in 2007 in the village of Gangjeong. The project cost $970 million. It was designed to hold warships and submarines. It can also host large civilian cruise ships. Some residents opposed the base. They worried it might harm the "Island of Peace." The base was finally completed in 2016.

The province also remains a place of cultural identity. Most residents are bilingual in Korean and Jeju. The official logo represents the island's character. Black represents the basalt rock. Green represents Hallasan. Blue represents the sea. Orange represents a hopeful future.

Jeju remains a vital part of the global community. It is a major destination for travelers. The island is famous for its natural beauty and unique culture. Archaeologists continue to find new things. In 2020, they found a 900-year-old slipway. They also found ancient coins and ceramics. These items belonged to the Northern Song dynasty. This shows how connected Jeju has been to the world. The island continues to balance its history with its future. It remains a symbol of strength and natural wonder.