North Korea - Korea Północna

North Korea

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Main information
Capital city	Pyongyang
Political system	totalitarian
Currency	North Korean won
Surface	120 540
Population	25 490 965
Tongue	Korean
religion	atheism

Code	850
Internet domain	.kp
Time zone	UTC 09:00↗

North Korea - a totalitarian and communist state established in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula after World War II in the areas occupied by the Red Army. It borders with Russia in the northeast, China in the north, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) since noon. In China and in North Korea itself, the country is called Pukchosŏn ("North Chosŏn"; 북조선; 北朝鮮). Bukhan ("North Han"; 북한; 北韓) is a name popular among South Koreans.

Characteristic

Geography

North Korea covers the northern part of the Korean Peninsula with an area of 120,540 km². On the west side, it is bordered by the West Korean Sea (better known as the Yellow Sea) and the West Korean Gulf, on the east by the East Korean Sea (Sea of Japan). The Amnok rivers (also known as Yalu; Korea's longest river, 790 km long) and Tumen (521 km long) mark the DPRK's border with China. The highest point in North Korea is Mount Pektu (2744 m above sea level). The border with Russia is at the north-eastern edge of the country. The Korean Demilitarized Zone (238 km long) is the buffer zone between the two Koreas.

The largest city in North Korea and the capital of this country is Pyongyang (3,255,388 inhabitants, 2008). Other large cities include Kaesång (308,000, 2008) right on the border with South Korea, Sinŭiju (285,000, 2009) in the northwest of the country, on the border with China, Wŏnsan (329,000, 2005) and Hamhång ( 581,000, 2008) in the east and Ch'ŏngjin (329,000, 2008) in the northeast.

Topography

European explorers who once reached the Korean Peninsula referred to the geography of Korean territory as "the sea with hurricanes." Up to 80% of Korea's territory is made up of mountains and highlands separated by deep and narrow valleys. All peaks of the Korean Peninsula, reaching 2,000 m above sea level, are located in North Korea. The coastal plains are wide to the west and discontinuous along the eastern coast. The vast majority of the DPRK's population lives in the plains and sparse lowlands.

Lake Ch'ŏnji (Paradise Lake) in the volcanic crater of Mount Pektu, the highest peak of the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria. The highest point in North Korea is Mount Pektu (2744 m above sea level). It is a peak of volcanic origin, located on the border with China. It consists of plateaus located at an altitude of 1,400 to 2,000 m above sea level. The mountain range dividing the northeastern provinces of North and South Hamgyong also abounds in peaks of similar height, the highest of which is the summit of Gwanmo-bong (1756 m above sea level). Other large mountain ranges in North Korea include the Rangrim range in the North-Central DPRK (highest peak: Vagal-bong, 2,260 m above sea level) and the Kangnam Mountains along the Sino-Korean border. The Kŭmgang Mountains, better known as the Diamond Mountains in the Taebaek mountain range, are known for their beautiful scenery that few tourists come to visit in the DPRK. Unlike their neighbors (especially in Japan and northern China), Koreans are not threatened by earthquakes, which rarely hit the Korean peninsula.

Climate

North Korea has a continental climate with four distinct seasons. The territory of Korea is designated Two in the Köppen climatological classification. Winters are very cold and troublesome, especially in mountain and upland regions, which account for 80% of the country's territory. Severe frosts are typical throughout the country, despite the nice and sunny weather. There are often strong northern and northwestern winds from Siberia. They cause snowstorms that alternate with nice weather. Snow falls on average 37 days in winter. The summers are short, but hot and humid. It is a short rainy season, called changma in Korean. Heavy rains are associated with monsoons blowing from the south and southeast. Monsoons bring moist air from the Pacific. On August 7, 2007, the worst floods in 40 years forced the North Korean government to turn to the international community for humanitarian aid. NGOs such as the Red Cross called for urgent fundraising for North Korea as they feared a humanitarian disaster in the country. Spring and fall in Korea are transitional seasons. The weather and temperatures are then relatively most pleasant. In spring there are frequent droughts alternating with flash floods. Typhoons also hit the Korean Peninsula every year in late summer and early fall.

History

Visas

Tourist visas to North Korea are issued only to organized groups.

Policy

Totalitarian power in the state is exercised by the Juca monoparty, the Workers' Party of Korea. The country is ruled by Kim Jong Un, known as the Honored Leader. 167 North Korea 1.08 Authoritarian regime People's democracy, songun

Economy

North Korea is one of the underdeveloped countries.

Drive

By car

By plane

North Korea's largest airport is Pyongyang International Airport.

By train

Pyongyang Central Station

You can get to Pyongyang by the main route from Beijing leading through the border Dandong on the Chinese side and after crossing the Yalu (Jalu) Sinŭiju River on the North Korean side. The train runs four times a week, and tickets should be booked a few days in advance. We can do it ourselves or through an agency or travel agency, which is more expensive, but safer and more reliable.

There is also a second route across the border with Russia that is more interesting but also more risky. The train from Moscow to Pyongyang runs twice a month through the so-called Tumangan trail. However, this route is not recommended for tourists due to the difficulties associated with customs clearance and the high risk of failure. The Hasan / Tumangan border crossing is mainly intended for Koreans who usually return from work in Russia, so the sight of tourists in a North Korean car may surprise the guards. If tourists appear on this route, they are usually Russian groups, which, however, move for commercial purposes to the nearby economic zone. Crossing this border can be an original idea for people who do not like to stick to a rigid travel plan or the beaten track.

By bus

Buses are the country's main mode of transport when it comes to traveling long distances. In cities, it is the most popular means of transport on bicycles, trams and trolleybuses. Bus prices are not high, but the ride may be uncomfortable. Interestingly, most of the vehicles of this means of communication come from abroad.

By ship

Water transport along major rivers plays a large role in the transport of people and goods. The inland trade and passenger routes are 2,253 kilometers long in total. With the exception of the border rivers Amnok (Yalu) and Tumen, they are mostly operated by small boats.

However, it is not recommended to come to Korea by boat, or to use this mode of transport in the country.

Regions

As of 2005, North Korea has two cities directly administered by the government (Cor. Chikhalsi; 직할시;直轄市), three special regions and nine provinces. The "special" cities are Pyongyang and Rasŏn. The DPRK's special regions are: Kaesŏng Industrial Area, Kŭmgangsan Tourist Region and Sinŭiju Special Administrative Region.

Government-administered cities

The city administered by the Pyongyang government (Cor. P'yŏngyang Chikhalsi; 평양 직할시; hancha: 平壤直轄市) - The city is classified as government administered (Chikhalsi) and not a special city like Seoul in South Korea.
City administered by the government of Rasŏn (Rajin-Sŏnbong) (Cor. Rasŏn (Rajin-Sŏnbong) Chikhalsi; 라선 (라진 - 선봉) 직할시; hancha: 羅先 (羅津 - 先鋒) 直轄市)

Special regions

Kaesŏng Industrial Area (Kaesŏng Kongŏp Chigu; 개성 공업 지구;開城工業地區)
Kŭmgangsan Tourist Region (Kŭmgangsan Kwan'gwang Chigu; 금강산 관광 지구;金剛山觀光地區)
Sinŭiju Special Administrative Region (Sinŭiju T'ŭkbyŏl Haengjeonggu; 신의주 특별 행정구;新義州特別行政區)

Provinces

Chagang (Chagang-do; 자강도;慈江道)
North Hamgyŏng (Hamgyŏng-pukto; 함경 북도;咸鏡北道)
South Hamgyŏng (Hamgyŏng-namdo; 함경 남도;咸鏡南道)
Northern Hwanghae (Hwanghae-point; 황해 북도;黃海北道)
South Hwanghae (Hwanghae-namdo; 황해 남도;黃海南道)
Kangwŏn (Kangwindo; 강원도;江原道)
North P'yŏngan (P'yŏngan-pukto; 평안 북도;平安北道)
South P'yŏngan (P'yŏngan-namdo; 평안 남도;平安南道)
Ryanggang (Ryanggang-do; 량강 도;兩江道 - also spelled "Yanggang")

Cities

According to official data from 2008, the DPRK had more than 25 cities with a population of over 80,000. residents. Pyongyang, the capital of the country, was the only city with over 1 million inhabitants; 2 cities with a population of 500 ÷ 1000 thousand; 20 cities with a population of 100,000 ÷ 500,000 and the rest of the cities below 100,000 residents.

Interesting places

Objects from the UNESCO World Heritage List

The tombs of the rulers of the state Koguryŏ (shared with China)
Historical monuments and places in Kaesŏng

Transport

Tongue

The official language of North Korea is Korean. Tourist guides, a small number of officials and important political figures in the country know English or other foreign languages.

Shopping

For purchases in North Korea, tourists have to pay in foreign currencies (e.g. dollars, euros or Chinese yuan). Tourists are not allowed to possess local North Korean currency.

Gastronomy

Accommodation

While in Korea, you should not look for accommodation alone. Koreans, especially for a good foreign opinion, do not allow the use of tourists' ideas and suggest good and comfortable places for tourists.

Security

The crime rate is practically and officially non-existent due to the stringent rigor of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. A tourist can feel completely safe provided that he does not violate the rules and adapts to the prevailing system. It is important not to criticize the Juche Ideology and Beloved Commander Kim Jong-Il and his late father, the Great Leader Kim Il-sung, who are held in universal veneration and respect, despite their own worldview. These criticisms may end at best with a reprimand or expulsion from the country, and at worst with deportation to a prison or labor camp. The address of the Polish embassy in Pyongyang may be helpful for Polish citizens. [1].