Geography of South Korea


The average annual temperature in South Korea is 5.7 °C. The average annual rainfall in South Korea is 1274 mm/year. South Korea emits 11.8 metric tons per capita of CO₂.

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South Korea is considered a large nation due to its total area. Its total land area is 100,210 km² (about 38,691 mi²). The continental shelf of South Korea is approximately 292,522 km² (approximately 112,943 mi²). South Korea is in Asia. Asia is the largest and most populous continent on earth. Asian countries include Russia, China, Japan, Hong Kong, and North and South Korea, among others. South Korea borders North Korea. South Korea is not a landlocked country. It means it is bounded by at least one major body of water. The average elevation range of South Korea is 282 m (925 ft).

Neighbors
The total length of land borders of South Korea is 237 kilometers (~92 miles). South Korea has 1 unique land border with a neighboring territory – North Korea. The length of this border is 238 km.

Cities
The capital of South Korea is Seoul. The largest city in South Korea is Seoul.

Elevation
The average elevation range of South Korea is 282 m (925 ft). The highest point in South Korea is Halla-san with an official elevation of 1950 m (6,398 ft). The deepest point in South Korea is the Sea of Japan, the Yellow Sea. The difference in elevation between the highest (Halla-san) and lowest (Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea) points in South Korea is 1950 m (2 ft).

area
The total land area of South Korea is 100,210 km² (about 38,691 mi²). and the total Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is 475,469 km² (~183,579 mi²). The continental shelf of South Korea is approximately 292,522 km² (approximately 112,943 mi²). Including the landmass and the EEZ, the total area of South Korea is approximately 575,679 km² (~222,270 mi²). South Korea is considered a large nation due to its total area.

Forest and farmland
63,346 km² of South Korea's territory is covered with forests, and forest cover accounts for 63% of the country's total land area. There are 16,280 km² of farmland in South Korea, which accounts for 16% of the country's total area.

Read our climate section to learn what parameters affect this and other biomes in the country.

Natural resources
The most notable natural resources in South Korea are coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead and hydroelectric potential.