Kyonggi Province
(1999 pop. 9 million). Kyonggi Province (Kyonggido), in the northwest region of South Korea (Republic of Korea), has an area of 10,188 square kilometers. The province borders part of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) to the north and the Yellow Sea to the west. Seoul (the nation's capital) and Inchon (a port city) are both located within Kyonggi Province, but the two cities are independent administrative units and thus are autonomous from Kyonggi.
Kyonggi Province is composed of twenty-three cities and eight counties (kun). The region is heavily populated and industrialized because of its proximity to Seoul. The satellite cities of Songnam, Anyang, Suwon, and Puchon are also busy urban centers.
Seoul (formerly Hanyang) was the capital of the Choson dynasty (1392–1910); as a result, Kyonggi is home to many historical points of interest, such as Kanghwa Island, where the royal court fled during the Mongol invasions. Kanghwa's fortress later protected Korea's west coast from foreign incursions during the nineteenth century. Another historic site is Panmunjom, in the DMZ; since the Korean War (1950–1953), Panmunjom has been the site of ongoing negotiations and peace talks between North and South Korea.
There are also numerous ski resorts, golf courses, and fishing lakes for sports enthusiasts. The province is home to three major theme parks, including the Korean Folk Village (Minsokch'on), where visitors can observe traditional Korean folk customs.
Manufacturing, automotive parts, aircraft, electronics, medical equipment, and satellite communications are among the diverse industries in Kyonggi Province. The province is also important agriculturally, most notably for rice, fruits, beef, and poultry. Kyonggi's coastline hosts fisheries and salt production. Kyonggi is also home to many artisans who carry on centuries-old traditional methods of producing pottery; the province has abundant clay sources.
Further Reading
Austin, Audrey. (1991) "Kanghwa Island." Korean Culture 12, 3: 42–47.
Nilsen, Robert. (1997) South Korea Handbook. Emeryville, CA: Moon.
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