Seoul is the biggest city of the Republic of Korea (South Korea), and its capital. Its official name is Seoul Special Metropolitan City.
Seoul was founded in 18 BC by the people of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. At that time, the name of the city was Wiryeseong.
In the 11th century the Goryeo kingdom established in 918 by King Taejo, built a summer palace in what is now Seoul, which was referred to as the "Southern Capital". It was only from this period that Seoul became a larger settlement.
Seoul was known as Hanseong after the establishment of Joseon Dynasty in July 1392, and Hanseong became the capital of Joseon Kingdom.
Gyeongbokgung was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Built in 1395 in Hanseong, it is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Korean dynastic kingdom. Gyeongbokgung served as the home of Kings of the Joseon dynasty, the Kings' households, as well as the government of Joseon.
During the Joseon dynasty, the gates of Hansong were opened and closed each day, accompanied by the ringing of large bells at the Bosingak belfry.
After the annexation treaty in 1910, the Empire of Japan annexed Korea and renamed the city Gyeongseong. The city was liberated at the end of World War II.
Seoul's current name comes from the Korean word meaning “capital city.” Since South Korea was founded in 1948, Seoul has been the country's capital, except for a short time during the Korean War.
Seoul is in the northwest of South Korea. The city comprises 605.25 square kilometres (233.69 sq mi) with a radius of approximately 15 kilometres (9 mi), roughly bisected into northern and southern halves by the Han River.
Seoul Special Metropolitan City is the world's 17th largest city, and forms the heart of the Seoul Capital Area, which includes the surrounding Incheon metropolis and Gyeonggi province.
The Seoul Capital Area houses about half of South Korea's population of 51.44 million people.
The Seoul Special Metropolitan City has a population of 10 million which is about one fifth of that of South Korea.
Gangnam District is one of the 25 gu (local government districts) which make up the city of Seoul. Psy's 2012 number one "Gangnam Style" was made to poke fun at people who put on airs and pretend to be classy, like people from the Gangnam district of Seoul.
The Seoul Capital Area contains five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Changdeok Palace, Namhansanseong, Jongmyo Shrine, Hwaseong Fortress, and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty.
Seoul is surrounded by mountains, the tallest being Bukhansan, the world's most visited national park per square foot. Because of its height (836.5 meters or 2,744 ft), and the fact that it borders a considerable portion of the city, Bukhansan is a major landmark visible from most city districts.
Seoul hosted the 1986 Asian Games, the 1988 Olympic Games and was one of the venues for the the 2002 FIFA World Cup. It also hosted the 2007 World Schools Debating Championships.
The most famous associated football team in Seoul is FC Seoul. Their stadium is Sang-am World cup Stadium. It can seat 66,806 people.
Seoul has many stadiums such as the Olympic stadium, Sang-am World Cup Stadium, Jamsil Stadium and Mokdong Stadium. The Olympic Stadium was built in 1988 and was used for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics that year. The World Cup stadium was used for several games in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Seoul’s transportation dates back to the Korean empire, when the first streetcar lines were laid and a railroad between Seoul and Incheon was completed.
Seoul is connected to every big Korean city by the Korea Train eXpress high speed train, which travels at more than 300km/h(186mph).
The metro system in Seoul opened in 1974. It is the busiest metro system in the world. with a ridership of 2. 9 billion in 2019 – the equivalent of more than a third of the world’s population taking a trip.
Seoul is the plastic surgery capital of the world, where one-third of the women have gone under the knife.
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| By 서울특별시 소방재난본부(Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster HQ |
HISTORY
Seoul was founded in 18 BC by the people of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. At that time, the name of the city was Wiryeseong.
In the 11th century the Goryeo kingdom established in 918 by King Taejo, built a summer palace in what is now Seoul, which was referred to as the "Southern Capital". It was only from this period that Seoul became a larger settlement.
Seoul was known as Hanseong after the establishment of Joseon Dynasty in July 1392, and Hanseong became the capital of Joseon Kingdom.
Gyeongbokgung was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Built in 1395 in Hanseong, it is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Korean dynastic kingdom. Gyeongbokgung served as the home of Kings of the Joseon dynasty, the Kings' households, as well as the government of Joseon.
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| Geunjeongjeon, the main throne hall By Blmtduddl at Wikipedia |
During the Joseon dynasty, the gates of Hansong were opened and closed each day, accompanied by the ringing of large bells at the Bosingak belfry.
After the annexation treaty in 1910, the Empire of Japan annexed Korea and renamed the city Gyeongseong. The city was liberated at the end of World War II.
Seoul's current name comes from the Korean word meaning “capital city.” Since South Korea was founded in 1948, Seoul has been the country's capital, except for a short time during the Korean War.
FUN SEOUL FACTS
Seoul is in the northwest of South Korea. The city comprises 605.25 square kilometres (233.69 sq mi) with a radius of approximately 15 kilometres (9 mi), roughly bisected into northern and southern halves by the Han River.
Seoul Special Metropolitan City is the world's 17th largest city, and forms the heart of the Seoul Capital Area, which includes the surrounding Incheon metropolis and Gyeonggi province.
The Seoul Capital Area houses about half of South Korea's population of 51.44 million people.
The Seoul Special Metropolitan City has a population of 10 million which is about one fifth of that of South Korea.
Gangnam District is one of the 25 gu (local government districts) which make up the city of Seoul. Psy's 2012 number one "Gangnam Style" was made to poke fun at people who put on airs and pretend to be classy, like people from the Gangnam district of Seoul.
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| Gangnam Commercial Area By Joop - Flickr |
The Seoul Capital Area contains five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Changdeok Palace, Namhansanseong, Jongmyo Shrine, Hwaseong Fortress, and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty.
Seoul is surrounded by mountains, the tallest being Bukhansan, the world's most visited national park per square foot. Because of its height (836.5 meters or 2,744 ft), and the fact that it borders a considerable portion of the city, Bukhansan is a major landmark visible from most city districts.
Seoul hosted the 1986 Asian Games, the 1988 Olympic Games and was one of the venues for the the 2002 FIFA World Cup. It also hosted the 2007 World Schools Debating Championships.
The most famous associated football team in Seoul is FC Seoul. Their stadium is Sang-am World cup Stadium. It can seat 66,806 people.
Seoul has many stadiums such as the Olympic stadium, Sang-am World Cup Stadium, Jamsil Stadium and Mokdong Stadium. The Olympic Stadium was built in 1988 and was used for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics that year. The World Cup stadium was used for several games in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Seoul’s transportation dates back to the Korean empire, when the first streetcar lines were laid and a railroad between Seoul and Incheon was completed.
Seoul is connected to every big Korean city by the Korea Train eXpress high speed train, which travels at more than 300km/h(186mph).
The metro system in Seoul opened in 1974. It is the busiest metro system in the world. with a ridership of 2. 9 billion in 2019 – the equivalent of more than a third of the world’s population taking a trip.
Seoul is the plastic surgery capital of the world, where one-third of the women have gone under the knife.
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