General Information
Seoul, the Capital of Korea
Seoul is a fast-moving modern metropolis and one of the largest cities in the world. Home to over 10 million citizens, it is a friendly city that is easy to get around. Here are some tips to make your trip to Seoul more convenient and comfortable.
General Facts
Population Seoul 10,195,000 (2013 est.) Seoul city government South Korea 50,948,000 (2013 est.) CIA Factbook (About one-fifth of South Korea’s population resides in Seoul)
Size 30.3 km from north to south and 36.78 from east to west
Temperatures +22C to +30C (August), -7C to + 1C (January)
Time Zone GMT + 9
(Korea Standard Time KST or Japanese Standard Time JST)
Electricity 220v, 60 hz throughout the country (same type uese in France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Turkey)
Country
Dialing Code +82
Area Code Seoul 02 (when dialing from overseas remove the zero)
Religion 25% Buddhist, 25% Christian
Language Korean (English, Japanese and Chinese are also spoken)
Seoul has been the capital of Korea for about 600 years since the time of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Seoul was referred to as “Han Yang” during the Joseon Dynasty, but after the liberation from Japan in 1945, the newly founded Republic of Korea officially changed its capital city’s name to Seoul. Seoul has developed into a bustling metropolis, acting as the hub for political, economic, social and cultural matters. The Hangang River runs through the heart of the city. The river divides the city in two; the northern part of the city is a focal point for culture and history, while the southern part is well known for its business district.
Seoul has hosted many international events including: 1986 Asian Games, 1988 Olympic Games and 2002 Korea/Japan FIFA World Cup. The success of these events has shown people that Korea is truly an international city.
Long History
When tou visit Seoul you’ll immediately notice the abundance of palaces, temples, art galleries, and museums, which attest to Seoul’s rich history and welth of cultural assets.
Getting around
Seoul is a city full of joy. It will not allow you to get bored. Insa-dong is where you can see traditional Korean artisans, Itaewon is a little community where people from outside Korea hang out, stores downtown open till late so that you can shop till you drop, N Seoul tower and 63 city will show you an awesome view of Seoul at a glance, and amusement parks will give you a thrill while you stay in Korea.
Seoul City Tour
City Tours are the most convenient and comfortable way to explore cities. The major sights and attractions of a city are presented on a single tour. Now City Tours are available in Seoul, Incheon, Suwon, Deajeon, Jeonju, Gwangju, Daegu, and Ulsan. Nestled around the Hangang River is the Korean capital Seoul, a city of old and new. With thousands of years of history, Seoul has both well preserved royal palaces, historical relics, and cultural treasures as well as state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructures. The Seoul City Tour bus runs a course that covers major points of interest in the capital.