But first, some extensive research!
- Seoul is one of the largest cities in the world, with a population over 10.5 million.
- In 1910 Korea became a Japanese colony, which lasted for the next 35 years. North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950 to unify under communist rule. With the intervention of the UN there was a ceasefire in 1953, yet the border remains one of the heaviest militarized zones in the world.
- South Korea may function like an island, but it is located on a peninsula due to the North Korean connection to China. The border is closed to South Korea, thus all things come in by boat or plane.
- Korean is the official language, but English and Japanese are commonly taught as well.
- Shopping malls are huge! Some of the largest in the world.
- Nearly half of the population claim to be atheist, the other half made up of Christians and Buddhists.
- The drinking age is 20, and you don't have to wait until your exact birth date, just January 1 of the year you turn 20. And public drinking is permitted.
- Taxis are color-coded: white and grey will be a basic car with a newer driver; a black car is more luxurious and the driver more experienced (and more ₩) And don't be surprised if the driver is watching TV while he drives.
- The economy is high-tech and industrialized, with large companies like Hyundai, Samsung, and LG based there. Yet the land is mountainous and forested.
- At 6,398 feet the highest point is Halla-san, an extinct volcano.
- National flower is the Rose of Sharon >>
- Public restrooms may be available, what's not as common: toilet paper. Pack your own!
re: public bathrooms.
ReplyDeletetoilet paper....and soap. lots of places don't have soap. yuck! or they have soap. but lots of times it's bar soap. used by one and all!