Gyeongsangnam-do

Coordinates: 35°15′N, 128°15′E

Gyeongsangnam-do
Hangul 경상 남도 Hanja 慶尙南道 Revised Romanization Gyeongsangnam-do McCune-Reischauer Kyŏngsangnam-to
Short name
Hangul 경남 Revised Romanization Gyeongnam McCune-Reischauer Kyŏngnam
Statistics
Area 11,859 km² (4,579 sq mi) (excluding Busan, Daegu, & Ulsan) Population (2000) 2,970,929 Population density 251/km² (650/sq mi) Government Province Capital Changwon Administrative divisions 10 cities (Si), 10 counties (Gun) Region Yeongnam Dialect Gyeongsang
Location map
Map of South Korea highlighting the province.

Gyeongsangnam-do (South Gyeongsang) is a province in the southeast of South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Changwon.

History

Before 1895, the area corresponding to modern-day Gyeongsangnam-do was part of Gyeongsang Province, one of the Eight Provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. In 1895, southern Gyeongsang was replaced by the Districts of Jinju in the west and Dongnae (modern-day Busan) in the east. In 1896, the two districts were merged to form Gyeongsangnam-do. The provincial capital was originally located at Jinju, then moved in 1925 to Busan. In 1948, Gyeongsangnam-do became part of South Korea. In 1963, Busan separated from Gyeongsangnam-do to become a Directly Governed City (Jikhalsi). In 1983, the provincial capital moved from Busan to Changwon. In 1995, Busan became a Metropolitan City (Gwangyeoksi). In 1997, Ulsan separated from Gyeongsangnam-do to become a Metropolitan City. In 1982, police officer Woo Bum-kon carried out the worst known incident of spree killing, killing 58 (including himself), and wounding 35 in Gyeongsangnam-do.

Geography

The province is part of the Yeongnam region, and is bounded on the east by the Sea of Japan (East Sea), on the north by Gyeongsangbuk-do province, on the west Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do provinces, and on the south by the Korea Strait. Most of the province is drained by the Nakdong River and its tributaries.

Resources

The Nakdong delta plain around Gimhae is one of the best granaries in South Korea. Agricultural products form Gyeongsangnam-do include rice, beans, potatoes, and barley. The area is renowned for its cotton, sesame, and fruits which are grown along the southern seaside. A number of marine products are caught. The province is one of the country's leading fisheries.

Major cities

The largest cities in the region are Busan and Ulsan, which are separately administered as provincial-level Metropolitan Cities. Apart from Changwon, other large or notable cities include Gimhae, Jinhae, Masan, and Jinju.

Attractions

Gyeongsangnam-do is the home of Haeinsa, a Buddhist temple that houses the Tripitaka Koreana and attracts many tourists. It is located in the national park around Jirisan (1,915 m) on the border with Jeollabuk-do. The temple was first built in 802.

Administrative divisions

Gyeongsangnam-do is divided into 10 cities (si) and 10 counties (gun). The names below are given in English, hangul, and hanja.

Cities

Counties

See also

• List of Korea-related topics
• Igeum-dong site - complex archaeological site in Sacheon-si

External links

• Gyeongsangnam-do English-language home page
• Jobs in Gyeongsangnam-do