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Kaesong

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Kaesong is a special city located in the southern part of North Korea.

Kaesong-Museum-Building-2014
Kaesong-Museum-Building-2014

It sits very close to the border with South Korea. The city is surrounded by mountains like Songak and Pongmyong. Many rivers flow through this area, such as the Imjin and Ryesong rivers. These rivers eventually run into the Han River. Most of the land consists of low hills. However, the northeastern part of the city is more mountainous.

Nam Gate in Kaesong (5063812320)
Nam Gate in Kaesong (5063812320)

The city has a very long and busy history. People have lived in this area since the Neolithic period. Early people left behind stone tools and pottery. Later, the city became the capital of the Goryeo dynasty for 487 years. During this time, it was known as Songdo. It was a famous center for trade and Korean ginseng. In 1394, the capital was moved to Hanyang, which is modern-day Seoul.

Kaesong-Museum-Building-2014
Kaesong-Museum-Building-2014

Kaesong has changed hands many times over the centuries. It was once part of the Silla kingdom. Later, it became part of the Baekje kingdom for about 100 years. During the Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945, it was called Kaijō. After World War II, the city was briefly part of South Korea. During the Korean War, North Korea captured the city. The 1953 Armistice Agreement left the city under North Korean control.

STATUE OF KIM IL SUNG KAESONG CITY DPRK NORTH KOREA OCT 2012 (8643184836)
STATUE OF KIM IL SUNG KAESONG CITY DPRK NORTH KOREA OCT 2012 (8643184836)

There are many interesting facts about the city today. As of 2009, the population was 192,578 people. The climate is warm and moderate on average. The coldest month is January, with an average of −5.9 °C. The hottest month is August, with an average of 24.7 °C. About 55% of the city is covered in forest. Most of these trees are pines. You can find 40 types of mammals and 250 types of birds there.

朴淵の滝
朴淵の滝

Visitors can see many famous landmarks in Kaesong. The city is a World Heritage Site because of its history. You can visit the Goryeo Museum to see old art. The remains of the Manwoldae palace are also there. Many royal tombs from the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties are in the area. The city is also known for its special food. The local cooking style is very luxurious.

North Korea-Kaesong-Tongil restaurant-02
North Korea-Kaesong-Tongil restaurant-02
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🖼️ Images & Media (5)
File:STATUE OF KIM IL SUNG KAESONG CITY DPRK NORTH KOREA OCT 2012 (8643184836).jpg
STATUE OF KIM IL SUNG KAESONG CITY DPRK...
File:Kaesong-Museum-Building-2014.jpg
Kaesong-Museum-Building-2014.jpg
File:Nam Gate in Kaesong (5063812320).jpg
Nam Gate in Kaesong (5063812320).jpg
File:North Korea-Kaesong-Tongil restaurant-02.jpg
North Korea-Kaesong-Tongil restaurant-02.jpg
File:朴淵の滝.jpg
朴淵の滝.jpg
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