Kangwon Province
(2002 est. combined pop. 3.2 million). Kangwon Province, one of two provinces divided between North and South Korea, is located on the central eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula. Its combined area is 28,050 square kilometers, with 16,898 square kilometers in the south and 11,152 square kilometers in the north. Until 1395 the province was known as Kangnung-do. It is among the least densely populated areas of Korea. The populations of Kangwon in North and South Korea are roughly 1.6 million, respectively. The capitals of Kangwon are Ch'un ch'on in the south and Wonsan in the north. Other important cities in the south include Kangnung and Wonju.
The province is widely known for its great natural beauty, especially along the coast and in the mountains. The Taebaek mountain range, the backbone of the peninsula, runs north-south along the east coast of the province, with its crest approximately 16 kilometers inland. This range is home to Mount Keumkang and Mount Sorak, two of the most scenic mountains in North and South Korea, respectively. Forest still covers 81 percent of the province.
During the World War II Japanese occupation and postwar period, the economy of southern Kangwon was based on mining, agriculture, and heavy industry. In recent years the mining industry has declined, and tourism has emerged as an important economic activity.
Further Reading
Korea Overseas Information Services. (1994) A Handbook of Korea. Seoul: Korea Overseas Information Services.
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