Taegu
(2000 est. pop. 2.5 million). Taegu is the third most populous city in South Korea (Republic of Korea). The city's origins date back to the Shilla kingdom (57 BCE–935 CE), when it was called Talguhwahyon or Talbulsong. It has been called Taegu since 757 and has been classified as a city since 1949.
Taegu is located in North Kyongsang Province about 80 kilometers inland from the eastern coastline. The city, however, is designated a metropolitan city (kwangyokshi) and is administratively independent of the province, although Taegu also functions as the provincial capital. Taegu has seven districts (ku) and one county (kun).
Taegu is mostly urban; its primary manufacturing industries are textiles, machinery and metals, automobile parts, and electronics. The textile industry accounts for the largest portion of the region's manufacturing, with more than 2,100 companies involved in all aspects of spinning, weaving, dyeing, and sewing.
Taegu lies in a basin, surrounded by mountains to the north and south, with the Shinch'on Stream running westward into the Kumho River, which in turn flows into the Naktong River. Recent efforts have focused on environmental and beautification issues to improve the quality of life and to increase tourism.
Further Reading
Nilsen, Robert. (1997) South Korea Handbook. Chico, CA: Moon.
Storey, Robert, and Alex English. (2001) Korea. 5th ed. Berkeley, CA: Lonely Planet.
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