Gangwon Province was one of the Eight Provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty, formed in 1395, deriving its name from the names of the principal cities of Gangneung (강릉; 江陵) and the provincial capital Wonju (원주; 原州).
In 1895 Gangwon Province was replaced by the Districts of Chuncheon (Chuncheon-bu;춘천부; 春川府) in the west and Gangneung (Gangneung-bu;강릉부; 江陵府) in the east, with Wonju becoming a part of Chungju District.
In 1896 Korea was redivided into thirteen provinces, and the two districts were merged to re-form Gangwondo Province. Although Wonju re-joined Gangwon-do, the provincial capital was moved to Chuncheon, where it remains. During the Japanese rule of Korea, it was known as Kōgen-dō.
In 1945 Gangwon Province, along with the rest of Korea, was divided by the 38th parallel north in 1945, to create American and Soviet zones of occupation in the south and north respectively, leading to Wonsan joining the northern half in 1946 to serve as its administrative center. In 1948, the southern half of the province became part of the new Republic of Korea. As a result of the Korean WarArmistice Agreement of 1953, the boundary between the South and North Korean portions of the province was shifted north, to the Military Demarcation Line.
On June 11, 2023, Gangwon Province became a special self-governing province, and the official English name is Gangwon State.[4] Despite calling itself a state, Gangwon State is considered a self-governing province, not a self-governing state.
Geography
Landscape
The province's landscape is dominated by the Taebaek Mountains (called Taebaek Sanmaek) which almost reach the sea. As a consequence the coast is very steep.[citation needed]
Regions
Gangwon-do and its North Korean counterpart Kangwŏn are together referred to as the Gwandong region. The region west of the Taebaek Mountains is called Yeongseo, while the region east of the mountains is called Yeongdong. The term "Yeongdong" is frequently used in reference to transportation services from Seoul, meaning one might catch a bus or train on the Yeongdong Line, or drive to Gangneung on the Yeongdong Expressway.[citation needed]
The climate of Gangwon State is influenced by its latitude. In summer, along with higher temperatures, high humidity is present, however in winter the weather can be very cold, due to high pressure[clarification needed] from eastern Asia. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration's data, average temperatures vary. In Yongdong, the average temperature is 11.0 °C (51.8 °F), and in Yeongseo, it is 10.8 °C (51.4 °F). All of the province's average temperatures range from 6.6 to 13.1 °C (43.9 to 55.6 °F). and the yearly amount of rainfall is 1,300–1,900 millimetres (51.2–74.8 in), concentrated on mountain areas, being one of the snowiest areas in South Korea.[5]
Resources
The area of Gangwon State in both North Korea and South Korea is 20,569 km2 (7,941.74 sq mi),[2] with South Korea's Gangwon-do covering 16,874.59 km2 (6,515.32 sq mi). The province is renowned for its agricultural produce, especially potatoes and fish, including cuttlefish and pollock. Mineral resources from the province include iron, coal, fluorite, limestone and tungsten. There are some hydroelectric, thermoelectric power plants in the region.[citation needed]
Demographics
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±% p.a.
1980
1,790,954
—
1990
1,580,430
−1.24%
2000
1,487,011
−0.61%
2010
1,471,513
−0.10%
2015
1,518,040
+0.62%
2020
1,521,763
+0.05%
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
It is unknown when the first people of Gangwon began to live, but Paleolithic sites have been excavated.[7]
Many historical artifacts are found in the region, like the Later Silla era's Bell of Sangwonsa, the North–South States Period era's Iron Seated Vairocana Buddha of Dopiansa Temple, the Goryeo era's Main Gate of Imyeonggwan Guesthouse, and the Joseon era's Documents of Sangwonsa Temple. Other popular historical areas, like Ojukheon are located in the region.[citation needed]
Because of Gangwon Province's landscape, a number of old Buddhist temples have survived, like Woljeongsa and Oseam.
Museums
Established in 2002, the Chuncheon National Museum is operated by the central government for the purpose of classification and reservation.[8] The local government also has museums, including the Park Su-geun Art Museum,[9] and the Taebaek Coal Museum. Purpose-built private museums, such as the ChamSori Gramophone Edison Museum[10] are also operated.
Geographically, Gangwon Province has several national parks as well as some natural monuments.
Food
Gangwon Province is composed of mountains or basins, so locals mainly make food with potatoes or buckwheat.[12] All regions of the province have seasoned vegetable rice. For example, Jeongseon County is famous for Jeongseon thistle rice; Yeongwol County is famous for Yeongwol buckwheat rolls; Hwacheon County is famous for Hwacheon trout rice in a stone bowl and Hwacheon goatsbeard rice; and Yanggu County is famous for Yanggu dried green radish cuisine.[13][14] In coastal regions, fish and salted seafood is consumed. For example, Donghae City is famous for Donghae steamed fish; Sokcho is famous for Sokcho Squid Sausages; and Samcheok is famous for blowfish soup. These are normally very simple and easy to cook, like the province's traditional food.[12]
Tourism
National Parks & Nature Monuments
Due to the Taebaek Mountains, Gangwon Province has 4 national parks & several natural monuments.
Odaesan National Park: Odaesan is located in the center of Baekdudaegan, and it was assigned as a national park in 1975. Odaesan is one of the holy places of Korean Buddhist cultures.[16]
Chiaksan National Park: Chiaksan is derived from the southwest side of Odaesan, close to Wonju. In 2014, Wonju and the Korea National Park Service collaborated to make walking routes.[17]
Taebaeksan National Park: Taebaeksan is a traditional and historical "holy mountain," and it was assigned as a national park on October 22, 2016.[18] Taebaeksan Mountain is located at the fork of Baekdudaegan Mountain Range, which starts from Bagdu into the south, heading to Jirisan Mountain. Ever since it has been designated as a provincial park, Taebaeksan Mountain has widened its realm[clarification needed] and thus designated it as the 22nd national park. The park ranges from Gangwon Province to North Gyeongsang Province (Bongwha-gun) and spans 70.052 km2 (27.047 sq mi). There are various cultural assets in Taebaeksan Mountain including Cheonjaedan, a place where a harvest ceremony had been held for thousands of years, and Geomryongso, the source of the Han River. It also has various and outstanding ecological landscapes including the biggest wildflower habitat in the country (Geumdaebong Peak to Daedeoksan Mountain), yew habitat around Janggunbong Peak, and Baekcheon Valley, the world's southernmost Lenok habitat.
The museum has a large amount of English in its narration of the history of the DMZ, as well as exhibits such as United StatesPOW letters and extensive amounts of photos. It is inside the Tongil Security Park.
Gangneung-si (강릉시)
Gangneung contains beaches connecting each other from north to south along the coast. These beaches are covered with pine tree forests, planted to block the sea breeze.
Cheorwon-gun (철원군)
The Second Tunnel
"Found in the DMZ"[clarification needed] was found by Korean guards listening to the sound of explosions under the ground during their shift. After determined excavation on March 19, 1975, "The Second Tunnel" was discovered. It was for a sudden raid by the North Korean Army into South Korea. The second tunnel is composed of a firm granitic layer, is 3.5 km in length, and various in depth from 50m-160m. About 1 km of it is nowadays open to visitors.[citation needed]
Woljeong-ri Station
Woljeong-ri station is a historical building in the DMZ at Cheorwon. The tourist attraction, which can only be visited on escorted security tours of the DMZ, is an abandoned train station on the northernmost end of Korail's Gyeongwon Line. Near the station there was a small yard where rail stock was stored or shunted before leaving for Wonsan, now in North Korea, along the former Gyeongwon Line. Behind the station building there is the wreck of a train, bombed during the Korean War, used by the North Korean army and bombed by U.N. forces. In 2012, it became a place where artists can meet and exhibit their works.[citation needed]
Sokcho-si (속초시)
Goseong Unification Observatory Building
When the area was part of North Korea from 1945 to 1953, the building is now the closest most South Koreans can get to North Korea. There are binoculars installed on the viewing deck, and inside the observatory is a large map labelled with mountain names and the locations of military installations. Kiosks here sell liquor, cash, postage stamps and other souvenirs from North Korea.[original research?] On a clear day, you can get a good view of Kumgang-san, about 20 km to the west. Despite the solemnity of the place, the parking lot is cluttered with souvenir shops and restaurants.[original research?] On the other side of the lot is the Korean War Exhibition Hall.
According to the 2015 census, 16.4% of the population follow Buddhism and 24.1% follow Christianity (17.5% Protestantism and 6.6% Catholicism). 58.7% of the population is not religious and 0.8% of the population follow other religions.[22]
Transportation
Railway
Gangwon Province's railways were originally built to transport mining resources to harbours.[23][24]
Jungang Line Northern Direction with Jungang Expressway Wonju Bridge
Currently Wonju and Yangyang Airport are now operated as domestic airports.[28][29]
Road
Gangwon Province's road length totals to 9,800 km (6,100 mi), and 75.1% is paved.[30]
Some historical and traditional ridges have survived, like Daegwallyeong. It has many routes, like Route 7, which is included in AH6.
Like the railways, Gangwon Province is connected by intercity bus networks in South Korea. All cities and counties have intercity terminals, which connect other cities or counties in the region or connect outer cities, districts, and Incheon International Airport.
Sea
Gangwon Province has many harbours. Some harbours are fishing ports, but other harbours are used for special purposes. For example, Mukpo Harbour functions as an exporting hub for cement & coal from the Taebaek Mountains.[31] Sokcho Harbour functions as a fishing port, a passenger harbour and as an exporting hub for iron ore.[31] Also recently[when?], Korea Gas Corporation built the LNG Platform Center at Hosan Harbour.[32]
Gangwon province also has ferry lines. Sokcho Harbour has a pier for cruise ships,[33] but until 2018, no cruise route existed.
Gangwon FC bases itself in the region, owned by Gangwon Province. Jin-seon Kim, the Governor of Gangwon Province announced it on April 28, 2008[37] and was established on December 18, 2008.[38]
Wonju DB Promy is a professional basketball team, based in Wonju, Gangwon Province. It was established is 1996. It donated coal in collaboration with a local government-owned company, Korea Coal Corporation.[41]
The 1999 Asian Winter Games were held in Gangwon Province between January 30 and February 6, 1999. South Korea, the host nation ranked 2nd in these games.
The main cities of the province are Chuncheon (the provincial capital), Gangneung, Sokcho, Wonju, and Donghae. Currently Gangwon Province, has 7 cities, and 11 counties[43]
South Korea
