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Ryanggang Province

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Ryanggang Province is a landlocked region located in North Korea. It sits in a mountainous area near the northern border with China. The province is bordered by Jilin province in China to the north. To the east lies North Hamgyong. The south is bordered by South Hamgyong. Chagang province forms the western border. The provincial capital is the city of Hyesan.

DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Hyesan
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Hyesan

The geography of the province is defined by major rivers and mountains. The Yalu River and the Tumen River run along the northern border with China. Between these two rivers sits Paektu Mountain. This mountain is the source for both rivers. Paektu Mountain is a highly significant site. Both Koreans and Manchurians view it as a mythic origin for their people. The North Korean government claims Kim Jong-il was born there. They state his parents were at a Communist anti-Japanese resistance camp at the mountain.

DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Samjiyon
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Samjiyon

Ryanggang was officially created in 1954. Before this time, the land was part of South Hamgyong. Since its formation, it has been organized into several administrative divisions. The province is divided into two cities, known as si, and ten counties, known as kun. The two cities are Hyesan and Samjiyon. Hyesan is the capital and had a population of 192,680 in 2008. Samjiyon had 31,471 people in 2008.

DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Kapsan
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Kapsan

The ten counties make up the rest of the province. These include Kapsan, Kimhyonggwon, and Kimhyongjik. Other counties are Kimjongsuk, Paegam, and Pochon. The list also includes Pungso, Samsu, Taehongdan, and Unhung. Each county manages different local areas. For example, Kapsan County had 70,611 people in 2008. Unhung County had 61,705 people at that same time.

DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Paegam
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Paegam

Economically, Ryanggang is part of a region known as the "Rust Belt." This area includes North Hamgyong and South Hamgyong provinces. These provinces are characterized by industrialized cities. However, many of the factories there are now decrepit and failing. This makes Ryanggang one of the poorest provinces in North Korea. This economic decline followed the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The region has faced significant human hardship. During the famine years of the 1990s, the worst hunger occurred here. This hunger affected the three provinces of the Rust Belt. Because of these conditions, many people have become refugees. Most refugees from this region move into China. While some use the dry, remote, and mountainous land east of Paektu Mountain, most prefer the Tumen River. The mountainous border is often barely patrolled.

Several notable events and modern issues define the province. In recent years, power supply problems have become very prevalent. There was also a reported event in Kimhyongjik-gun. On September 9, 2004, an explosion was detected there. This date was the 56th anniversary of the creation of North Korea. Reports from a few days later mentioned a mushroom cloud.

Ryanggang remains a place of deep historical and physical importance. Its mountains and rivers connect it to the history of multiple peoples. Its industrial history connects it to the broader economic shifts in the region. The province's struggles with hunger and power reflect the challenges of the area. It continues to be a key part of the North Korean landscape.

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🖼️ Images & Media (12)
File:DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Hyesan.PNG
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Hyesan.PNG
File:DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Samjiyon.PNG
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Samjiyon.PNG
File:DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Kapsan.PNG
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Kapsan.PNG
File:DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Kimhyonggwon.PNG
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Kimhyonggwon.PNG
File:DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Kimhyongjik.PNG
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Kimhyongjik.PNG
File:DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Kimjongsuk.PNG
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Kimjongsuk.PNG
File:DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Paegam.PNG
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Paegam.PNG
File:DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Pochon.PNG
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Pochon.PNG
File:DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Pungso.PNG
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Pungso.PNG
File:DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Samsu.PNG
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Samsu.PNG
File:DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Taehongdan.PNG
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Taehongdan.PNG
File:DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Unhung.PNG
DPRK2006 Ryanggang-Unhung.PNG
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