Gyeongju
Hangul 경주시 Hanja 慶州市 Revised Romanization Gyeongju-si McCune-Reischauer Kyŏngju-si
Statistics
Area 1,323. Hanja is the Korean name for Chinese characters. More specifically it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated The Revised Romanization of Korean is the official Korean language Romanization system in South Korea. McCune-Reischauer romanization is one of the two most widely used Korean language Romanization systems along with the Revised Romanization of Korean, which Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. 85 km² (511. 14 sq mi) Population (2004) 280,092 Population density 212 /km² (550 /sq mi) Administrative divisions 4 eup, 8 myeon, 13 dong
Location map

Gyeongju is a Administrative divisions of South Korea and one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Korea. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume |||} South Korea is divided into 8 Provinces ( do) 1 special autonomous province ( teukbyeol jachido) 6 metropolitan cities ( gwangyeoksi A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status Tourism in South Korea refers to the Tourist industry in the Republic of Korea. South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː It lies in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang Province, on the coast of the East Sea (Sea of Japan). Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang is a province in eastern South Korea. The Sea of Japan is a Marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, bordered by Japan, Korea, North Korea and Russia Nearby cities include the industrial centers Ulsan and Pohang. Ulsan is a metropolitan city in the south-east of South Korea, facing the East Sea Pohang is a city in North Gyeongsang Province South Korea. The built-up area of Pohang is located on the alluvium of the mouth of the Hyeongsan River Numerous low mountains, outliers of the Taebaek range, are scattered around the city. The Taebaek Mountains are a mountain range in both North and South Korea.

Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla. Silla (57 BC – 935 AD was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. The Silla kingdom arose at the turn of the 1st millennium, and ruled most of the Korean Peninsula by the 7th century until the 9th centuries. The first millennium is a period of time that commenced on January 1, 1, and ended on December 31, 1000, of the Julian calendar. Physical geography See also Geography of North Korea, Geography of South Korea Mountains cover 70 percent of the Korean Peninsula and arable plains are A vast number of archaeological sites from this period remain in the city.

Today Gyeongju is a typical medium-sized city sharing the economic, demographic, and social trends that have shaped modern South Korean culture. The contemporary culture of South Korea developed from the traditional Culture of Korea, but since the 1948 Division of Korea, it has developed separately While tourism remains the major economic driver, some manufacturing activities have developed thanks to its proximity to major industrial centers such as Ulsan. Tourism is Travel for Recreational or Leisure purposes The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel Ulsan is a metropolitan city in the south-east of South Korea, facing the East Sea Gyeongju is connected to nationwide rail and highways,which facilitate both industrial and tourist traffic. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Before adding any more images to this * * page please do carefully consider * * whether they would be mere decoration * * or actually improve

Geography and climate

Seokguram on the top of Toham mountain

Gyeongju lies in the southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang Province, and is therefore bounded by the metropolitan city of Ulsan on the south. The Seokguram Grotto is a hermitage and part of the Bulguksa temple complex Ulsan is a metropolitan city in the south-east of South Korea, facing the East Sea Within the province, its neighbors include Pohang on the north, Cheongdo County on the southwest, and Yeongcheon on the northwest. Pohang is a city in North Gyeongsang Province South Korea. The built-up area of Pohang is located on the alluvium of the mouth of the Hyeongsan River Cheongdo County ( Cheongdo-gun) is a county in North Gyeongsang Province South Korea. Yeongcheon is a city in North Gyeongsang Province South Korea. To the east, it has no neighbor but the sea.

Low mountains are widespread throughout Gyeongju. The highest of these are the Taebaek Mountains, which run along the city's western border. The Taebaek Mountains are a mountain range in both North and South Korea. Gyeongju's highest point, Munbok Mountain, is 1013 meters above sea level. Mean sea level (MSL is the average (mean height of the Sea, with reference to a suitable reference surface This peak lies in Sannae-myeon, on the border with Cheongdo. Cheongdo County ( Cheongdo-gun) is a county in North Gyeongsang Province South Korea. East of the Taebaek range, other western peaks lie within the Jusa subrange. The Jusa Mountains are a minor range in southeastern South Korea. The city's eastern peaks, such as Toham Mountain, belong to the Dongdae Mountains, another minor subrange. The Dongdae Mountains are a small outlying range of the Taebaek Mountains.

Gyeongju's drainage patterns are shaped by these lines of mountains. The Dongdae Mountains divide a narrow piedmont area on their east, and various internal river systems to the west. Most of the city's interior is drained by the small Hyeongsan River, which flows north from Ulsan and meets the sea at Pohang Harbor. The Hyeongsan River is a River in southeastern South Korea. It flows from Doseo-myeon Ulju-gun in Ulsan to the Sea of Japan (East Sea covering The Hyeongsan's chief tributaries include the Bukcheon and Namcheon, which join it in Gyeongju Basin. The Gyeongju Basin is a Landform in Gyeongju city North Gyeongsang province South Korea. The southwestern corner of Gyeongju, on the far side of the Taebaek range, drains into the Geumho River, which then flows into the Nakdong. The Geumho River flows through North Gyeongsang Province South Korea, and drains into the Nakdong River. The Nakdong River ( Rakdong in North Korean is the longest River in South Korea, and passes through major cities such as Daegu and A small area of the south, just west of the Dongdae range, drains into the Taehwa River, which flows into the Bay of Ulsan. The Taehwa River flows into the Bay of Ulsan in the Sea of Japan (East Sea

Principal mountains and drainage patterns of Gyeongju. Mountains of 500–700 m are in gray, those taller than 700 m in black.

The Gyeongju coastline runs for 33 kilometers between Pohang in the north and Ulsan in the south. Pohang is a city in North Gyeongsang Province South Korea. The built-up area of Pohang is located on the alluvium of the mouth of the Hyeongsan River Ulsan is a metropolitan city in the south-east of South Korea, facing the East Sea There are no islands or large bays, only the small indentations made by the small streams flowing off the Dongdae ridgeline. Because of this, the city has no significant ports. However, there are 12 small harbors. ^[1] One such harbor in Gyeongju's southeast corner is home to the Ulsan base of the National Maritime Police. This base is responsible for security over a wide area of South Korea's east-central coast.

Thanks to its coastal location, Gyeongju has a slightly milder and wetter climate than more inland regions of Korea. In general, however, the city's climate is typical of South Korea. It has hot summers and cool winters, with a monsoon season between late June and early August. A monsoon is a seasonal prevailing wind which lasts for several months As on the rest of Korea's east coast, autumn typhoons are not uncommon. The average annual rainfall is 1,091 millimeters, and the average annual temperature is 12. 2 °C. ^[2]

Gyeongju's historic city center lies on the banks of the Hyeongsan in Gyeongju Basin. This lowlying area has been subject to repeated flooding throughout recorded history, often as a result of typhoons. A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land a deluge On average, chronicles report a major flood every 27. 9 years, beginning in the first century. ^[3] Modern flood control mechanisms brought about a dramatic reduction in flooding in the later 20th century. The last major flood occurred in 1991, when the Deokdong Lake reservoir overflowed due to Typhoon Gladys. The 1991 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds it ran year-round in 1991 but most Tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between ^[4]

History

Main article: History of Gyeongju

Cheonmado, 5~6th century painting excavated from Cheonmachong

The early history of Gyeongju is closely tied to that of the Silla kingdom, of which it was the capital. Silla period The early history of Gyeongju is closely tied to that of the Silla kingdom of which it was the capital Cheonmachong, formerly Tomb No155 is a Tumulus located in Gyeongju, South Korea. Silla (57 BC – 935 AD was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Gyeongju first enters non-Korean records as Saro-guk, during the Samhan period in the early Common Era. Silla (57 BC – 935 AD was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Samhan refers to the ancient confederacies of Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan in central and southern Korean peninsula Korean records, probably based on the dynastic chronicles of Silla, record that Saro-guk was established in 57 BCE, when six small villages in the Gyeongju area united under Bak Hyeokgeose. Hyeokgeose of Silla (69 BCE - 4 CE r 57 BCE&ndash4 CE commonly called Park Hyeokgeose, was the founding monarch of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea As the kingdom expanded, it changed its name to Silla.

After the unification of the peninsula in the mid-7th century, Gyeongju became the center of Korean political and cultural life. The Three Kingdoms of Korea ( refer to the ancient Korean kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, which dominated the Korean peninsula The city was home to the Silla court, and the great majority of the kingdom's elite. Its prosperity became legendary, and was reported as far away as Egypt. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. The population probably exceeded one million. Many of Gyeongju's most famous sites date from this Unified Silla period, which ended in the late ninth century. Unified Silla ( 668 CE - 935 CE or Later Silla is the name often applied to the kingdom of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of

Under the subsequent Goryeo (935–1392) and Joseon (1392–1910) dynasties, Gyeongju was no longer of national importance. However, it remained a regional center. The city was made the seat of Yeongnam Province in the 10th century. Yeongnam (literally "south of the passes" is the name of a region that coincides with the former Gyeongsang Province in what is now South Korea. It had jurisdiction over a wide area, including much of east-central Yeongnam, although this area was greatly reduced in the 13th century. In 1601, the city ceased to be the provincial capital.

Chilbulam on Namsan

Over these centuries, the city's relics suffered numerous assaults. Namsan (남산 "South Mountain" is a 494-meter peak in the heart of Gyeongju National Park, just south of Gyeongju, South Korea. In the 13th century, Mongol forces destroyed a nine-story wooden pagoda at Hwangnyongsa. Hwangnyongsa is the name of a former Buddhist temple in the city of Gyeongju, South Korea. ^[5] During the Seven Year War, Japanese forces burned the wooden structures at Bulguksa. Two Japanese invasions of Korea and subsequent battles on the Korean peninsula took place during the years 1592-1598 Bulguksa is a Buddhist temple in the North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. ^[6] Not all damage was due to invasions, however. In the early Joseon period, a great deal of damage was done to Buddhist sculptures on Namsan by Neo-Confucian radicals, who hacked arms and heads off statuary. Namsan (남산 "South Mountain" is a 494-meter peak in the heart of Gyeongju National Park, just south of Gyeongju, South Korea. Neo-Confucianism (/( is a form of Confucianism that was primarily developed during the Song Dynasty, but which can be traced back to Han Yu and Li ^[7]

In the 20th century the city has remained relatively small, no longer ranking among the major cities of Korea. In the early 20th century many archaeological excavations took place, mostly on the many tombs which survived the centuries fairly well. A museum, the forerunner of the present-day Gyeongju National Museum, was set up in 1915 to exhibit the finds. The Gyeongju National Museum is a Museum in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province South Korea.

Gyeongju emerged as a railroad junction in the later years of the Japanese Occupation, as the Donghae Nambu Line and Jungang Line were established. The Donghae Nambu Line is a railway line connecting Busan to Pohang in South Korea. The Jungang Line is a railway line connecting Cheongnyangni to Gyeongju in South Korea. Thanks to these improved connections, the town began to emerge as a center of tourism. In the 1970s, Korea saw substantial industrial development, much of it centered in the Yeongnam region of which Gyeongju is a part. Yeongnam (literally "south of the passes" is the name of a region that coincides with the former Gyeongsang Province in what is now South Korea. The POSCO steel mill in neighboring Pohang commenced operations in 1973, and the chemical manufacturing complex in Ulsan emerged in the same year. The Pohang Iron and Steel Company, or POSCO ( ( ( ( based in Pohang, South Korea, is the third largest Steel producer in the world These developments helped to support the emergence of Gyeongju's manufacturing sector.

Government

The executive branch of the government is headed by a mayor and vice-mayor. As in other South Korean cities and counties, the mayor is elected directly, while the vice-mayor holds an appointed post. The current mayor is Baek Sang Seung (백상승), elected in 2002. Baek Sang Seung (b December 12, 1935 in Gyeongju is the mayor of Gyeongju, South Korea. He is Gyeongju's third mayor to be directly elected, the fifth to preside over the city in its present form, and the 29th mayor since 1955. Like most heads of government in this region, he is a member of the conservative Grand National Party. The Grand National Party is a conservative-leaning political party in South Korea.

The legislative branch consists of the Gyeongju City Council, which has 24 members. The present City Council was formed from the merger of the old Gyeongju City Council with the Wolseong County Council in 1991. Most of the subdivisions of Gyeongju elect a single member to represent them in the Council, although two members represent two dong each and Angang-eup is represented by two members because of its large population. Like the mayor, the council members were last elected in 2002, except for a small number elected in more recent by-elections. A by-election or bye-election (called special election in the United States) is an Election held to fill a political office that has become vacant In April 2004, the city government employed 1,434 people. 2004: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September The central administration is composed of 4 departments, 2 subsidiary organs, a chamber (the auditor), and 8 business offices. The departments oversee a total of 21 sections. In addition, there are 25 local administrative divisions, as detailed below. Each such division has a small administrative staff and a local office.

Subdivisions

Main article: Subdivisions of Gyeongju

The city is divided into 4 eup, 8 myeon, and 13 dong. The primary subdivisions of Gyeongju in South Korea consist of 4 eup, 8 myeon, and 13 dong. These units are the same into which all of the cities and counties of South Korea are divided. |||} South Korea is divided into 8 Provinces ( do) 1 special autonomous province ( teukbyeol jachido) 6 metropolitan cities ( gwangyeoksi The dong units occupy the area of the city center, which was formerly occupied by Gyeongju-eup. Eup are typically substantial villages, whereas myeon are more rural. The current divisions are as follows:

*Figures based on resident registration figures made available by local government offices. For more detailed source information, see Subdivisions of Gyeongju. The primary subdivisions of Gyeongju in South Korea consist of 4 eup, 8 myeon, and 13 dong.

Demographics

In recent years, Gyeongju has followed the same trends that have affected the rest of South Korea. Like the country as a whole, Gyeongju has seen its population age and the size of families shrink. For instance, the mean household size is 2. 8. Because this has fallen in recent years, there are more households in the city now (100,514) than there were in 1999, even though the population has fallen. ^[8]

Like most of South Korea's smaller cities, Gyeongju has seen a steady drop in population in recent years. From 1999 to 2003, the city lost 9,500 people. ^[9] The primary reason for this is the number of people leaving the city, mostly seeking jobs in major cities. In the early 2000s, about 4,000 more people moved away from the city each year than moved in. ^[10] During the same period, births exceeded deaths by roughly 1,000 per year, a significant number but not enough to offset the losses due to migration. ^[11]

Gyeongju has a small but growing population of non-Koreans. In 2003, there were 1,778 foreigners living in Gyeongju. This number, although still a tiny fraction of the total population, was nearly double the number resident there in 1999. The growth was largely in immigrants from other Asian countries, many of whom are employed in the automotive parts industry. Countries of origin whose numbers have risen include the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Taiwan ( Taiwanese: Tâi-oân/Tāi-oân (historically 大灣/台員/大員/台圓/大圓/台窩灣 is an Island in East Asia. The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia. Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially The number of residents from Japan, the United States, and Canada fell significantly in the 1999–2003 period. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page ^[12]

People and culture

Burial mounds of the Silla kings.

Gyeongju has produced notable individuals throughout its history. Notable Gyeongju residents in the Silla period included most of the kingdom's leading figures, not only rulers but scholars such as Choe Chi-won and generals like Kim Yu-sin. Silla (57 BC – 935 AD was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Choe Chiwon (857-10th century was a noted Korean Confucian official philosopher and poet of the late Unified Silla period (668-935 Kim Yusin (595-673 was a General in 7th-century Silla. He led the unification of the Korean peninsula by Silla under the reign of King The city continued to contribute to traditional Korean thought in subsequent dynasties. Traditional Korean thought has been influenced by a number of Religious and philosophical thought-systems over the years Relatives of Choe Chi-won played an important role in establishing the structures of early Goryeo. In the Joseon period, Gyeongju joined the rest of Gyeongsang in becoming a hotbed of the conservative Sarim faction. Gyeongsang ( Gyeongsang-do) was one of the eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The Sarim, or "forest of scholars" was a powerful faction of literati in the Joseon Dynasty of Korea Notable Gyeongju members of this faction included the 15th-century intellectual Yi Eon-jeok. Yi Eon-jeok (1491 &ndash 1553 sometimes known by his pen name Hoejae, was a public official and intellectual of the middle Joseon Dynasty. In modern times the city produced writer Park Mok-wol, who did a great deal to popularize the region's culture, as well as Choe Jun, a wealthy businessman who established the Yeungnam University Foundation. Park Mok-Wol (1916-1978 was a Korean writer. He was born in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province in present-day South Korea. Choe Jun (1884-1970 was a businessman and philanthropist in early 20th-century Korea. Yeungnam University is one of the largest universities in South Korea outside of Seoul.

Many Korean family clans trace their origins to Gyeongju, often to the ruling elites of Silla. For example, the Gyeongju Kim clan claims descent from the rulers of later Silla. Kim is the most common family name in Korea. The name is common in both modern-day North Korea and South Korea. The Gyeongju Park and Gyeongju Seok clans trace their ancestry to Silla's earlier ruling families. Seok is a Korean family name, held by about 56500 South Koreans and many others in North Korea and around the world These three royal clans played a strong role in preserving the historical precincts of Gyeongju into modern times. ^[13] The Gyeongju Choe and Lee clans also trace their ancestry to the Silla elites. Choi, sometimes spelled Choe or Choy, is a common Korean family name. Lee is the common English spelling of 이 (pronounced) a common Korean family name. However, not all Gyeongju clans date to the Silla period; for instance, the Gyeongju Bing clan was founded in the early Joseon Dynasty. (For more information on the Korean clan structure, see the main article on Korean names. A Korean name consists of a Family name followed by a Given name, as used by the Korean people in both North Korea and South Korea )

The city remains an important centre of Korean Buddhism. Korean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what it sees as inconsistencies in Mahayana Buddhism East of the downtown lies Bulguksa, one of South Korea's largest Buddhist temples; nearby is Seokguram, a famed Buddhist shrine. Bulguksa is a Buddhist temple in the North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. The Seokguram Grotto is a hermitage and part of the Bulguksa temple complex Traditional prayer locations are found on mountains throughout Gyeongju. Such mountains include Namsan near the city center, Danseok-san and Obong-san in the west, and the low peak of Hyeong-san on the Gyeongju-Pohang border. Namsan (남산 "South Mountain" is a 494-meter peak in the heart of Gyeongju National Park, just south of Gyeongju, South Korea. ^[14] Namsan in particular is often referred to as "the sacred mountain," due to the Buddhist shrines and statues which cover its slopes. ^[15]

The city has a distinctive dialect, which it shares with northern portions of Ulsan. A dialect (from the Greek word διάλεκτος dialektos) is a variety of a Language that is characteristic of a particular group of Ulsan is a metropolitan city in the south-east of South Korea, facing the East Sea This dialect is similar to the general Gyeongsang dialect, but retains distinctive features of its own. The Gyeongsang dialect is a dialect of the Korean language which is widely used in the Yeongnam region which includes North and South Gyeongsang Some linguists have treated the distinctive characteristics of the Gyeongju dialect as vestiges of the Silla language. For instance, the contrast between the local dialect form "소내기" (sonaegi) and the standard "소나기" (sonagi, meaning "rainshower"), has been seen as reflecting the ancient phonemic character of the Silla language. The phoneME project is Sun Microsystems reference implementation of Java virtual machine and associated libraries of Java ME with source licensed under the GNU ^[16]

Gyeongju's cuisine is largely identical with general Korean cuisine. Korean cuisine as a national Cuisine known today has evolved through centuries of social and political change However, the city is known for some local specialties. The most famous of these is "Gyeongju bread," a red-bean pastry first baked in 1939 and now sold throughout the country. Gyeongju bread, also sometimes called Hwangnam bread, is a local specialty of Gyeongju City South Korea. Local specialties with a somewhat longer pedigree include beopju, a traditional Korean liquor.

Tourism

Cheomseongdae, one of the oldest surviving astronomical observatories in East Asia

Main article: Tourism in Gyeongju

Gyeongju is a major tourist destination for South Koreans as well as foreign visitors. Cheomseongdae is an Astronomical observatory in Gyeongju, South Korea. An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial and/or celestial events Tourism in Gyeongju is a major industry and defining feature of Gyeongju, South Korea. Tourism is Travel for Recreational or Leisure purposes The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel It boasts the 1000 years of Shilla heritage with vast number of ancient ruins and archaeological sites found throughout the city. The city government has successfully parlayed its historic status into a basis for other tourism-related developments such as conferences, festivals, and resorts.

Many Silla sites are located in Gyeongju National Park such as the Royal Tomb Complex, the Cheomseongdae observatory, the Anapji royal pond garden, and the Gyerim forest. Gyeongju National Park is one of 20 national parks in South Korea. Cheomseongdae is an Astronomical observatory in Gyeongju, South Korea. Anapji is an artificial Pond in Gyeongju National Park, South Korea. The Gyerim is a small Woodland in Gyeongju National Park, Gyeongju, South Korea. Gyeongju National Museum hosts many important artifacts and national treasures that have been excavated from sites within the city and surrounding areas. The Gyeongju National Museum is a Museum in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province South Korea.

Bulguksa temple near Gyeongju. Bulguksa is a Buddhist temple in the North Gyeongsang province in South Korea.

Much of Gyeongju's heritage are related to the Silla kingdom's patronage of Buddhism. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices The grotto of Seokguram and the temple of Bulguksa were the first Korean sites to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, in 1995. The Seokguram Grotto is a hermitage and part of the Bulguksa temple complex Bulguksa is a Buddhist temple in the North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex In addition, the ruins of the old Hwangnyongsa temple, said to have been Korean's largest, are preserved on the slopes of Toham Mountain. Hwangnyongsa is the name of a former Buddhist temple in the city of Gyeongju, South Korea. Various Silla-era stone carvings of Buddhas and bodhisattvas are found on mountainsides throughout the city, particularly on Namsan. Namsan (남산 "South Mountain" is a 494-meter peak in the heart of Gyeongju National Park, just south of Gyeongju, South Korea.

A significant portion of Gyeongju's tourist traffic is due to the city's successful promotion of itself as a site for various festivals, conferences, and competitions. Every year since 1962 a Silla cultural festival has been held in October to celebrate and honour the dynasty's history and culture. It is one of the major festivals of Korea. It features athletic events, folk games, music, dance, literary contests and Buddhist religious ceremonies. Other festivals include the Cherry Blossom Marathon in April, the Korean Traditional Liquor and Cake festival in March, and memorial ceremonies for the founders of the Silla Dynasty and General Kim Yu-sin. Kim Yusin (595-673 was a General in 7th-century Silla. He led the unification of the Korean peninsula by Silla under the reign of King

Economy

Main article: Economy of South Korea

Gampo port

The economy of Gyeongju is more diverse than the city's image as a tourist haven would suggest. The Economy of South Korea is the third-largest in Asia and the 13th-largest in the world by GDP ( PPP) as of Although tourism is an important component of the city's economy, most residents work in fields not related to tourism. More than 27,000 are employed in manufacturing, as compared to roughly 13,500 in the hospitality industry. Furthermore, the number involved in tourism has remained constant over recent years, whereas the manufacturing sector added 6,000 jobs from 1999 to 2003. ^[17]

The manufacturing sector is closely tied to that in nearby cities, depending on Gyeongju's ready transit links with Ulsan, Pohang, and Daegu. Ulsan is a metropolitan city in the south-east of South Korea, facing the East Sea Pohang is a city in North Gyeongsang Province South Korea. The built-up area of Pohang is located on the alluvium of the mouth of the Hyeongsan River Daegu (pronounced) also spelled Taegu (pronounced) officially called Daegu Metropolitan City, is the fourth largest city in South Korea after The automotive parts industry, also powerful in Ulsan and Daegu, plays an important role. Indeed, of the 938 incorporated businesses in Gyeongju, more than a third are involved in the manufacture of automotive parts. ^[18]

In addition, agriculture continues to play a key role, particularly in the outlying regions of Gyeongju. The city plays a leading role in the domestic production of beef and mushrooms. Beef is the Culinary name for Meat from Bovines especially domestic Cattle (cows A mushroom is the fleshy Spore -bearing Fruiting body of a Fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source Fishing also takes place in coastal towns, especially in Gampo-eup in the city's northeast. There are a total of 436 registered fishing craft in the city. ^[19] Much of the catch from these boats never leaves Gyeongju, going directly from the harbor to Gyeongju's many seafood restaurants.

Other sectors are also active. For instance, a small amount of quarrying activity takes place in the city. A quarry is a type of open-pit mine from which rock or Minerals are extracted There are 57 active mines and quarries in Gyeongju. Most are engaged in the extraction of kaolin and fluorspar. Kaolinite is a Clay mineral with the chemical composition Al 2 Si 2 O 5( OH)4 Fluorite (also called fluorspar) is a Mineral composed of Calcium fluoride, Ca[[Fluorine F2]] ^[20] A nuclear power plant is located on the coast in Yangnam-myeon. Nuclear power is any Nuclear technology designed to extract usable Energy from atomic nuclei via controlled Nuclear reactions It supplies about 5% of South Korea's electricity. ^[21]

Education

Main article: Education in South Korea

Formal education has a longer history in Gyeongju than anywhere else in South Korea. Education in South Korea is seen as the most important key to success and competition is consequently very heated and fierce South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː The Gukhak, or national academy, was established here in the 7th century, at the beginning of the Unified Silla period. The Gukhak, or National Confucian Academy, was the sole recorded institution of higher learning in the Silla period of medieval Korean history. Unified Silla ( 668 CE - 935 CE or Later Silla is the name often applied to the kingdom of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Its curriculum focused on the Confucian classics. After the fall of Silla in the 10th century, the Gukhak closed. Silla (57 BC – 935 AD was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. The Gukhak, or National Confucian Academy, was the sole recorded institution of higher learning in the Silla period of medieval Korean history. However, thanks to Gyeongju's role as a provincial center under the Goryeo and early Joseon dynasties, the city was home to state-sponsored provincial schools (hyanggyo) under both dynasties. The Goryeo Dynasty ( 918 - 1392) (also spelled Koryŏ was a Sovereign state established in 918 by Taejo Wang Kon. The Hyanggyo were government-run provincial schools in medieval Korea During the later Joseon dynasty there were several seowon, or private Confucian academies, were set up in the city. Seowon were the most common educational institution of Korea during the mid- to late Joseon Dynasty.

Today, the educational system of Gyeongju is the same as elsewhere in the country. Schooling begins with preschools, of which there are 65 in the city. This is followed by 6 years in elementary schools, of which Gyeongju has 46. See also Primary education An elementary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of Compulsory education known as elementary Subsequently students pass through 3 years of middle school. Middle school or Junior High School serves as a "bridge" between the Elementary School and the High School There are 19 middle schools in Gyeongju. High-school education, which lasts for three years, is not compulsory, but the most students do attend and graduate from high school. Compulsory education is Education which children are required by law to receive and governments to provide Gyeongju is home to 21 high schools, of which 11 provide specialized technical training. At each of these levels, there is a mix of public and private institutions. All are overseen by the Gyeongju bureau of North Gyeongsang's Provincial Office of Education. ^[22] Gyeongju is also home to a school for the mentally disabled, which provides education to students from preschool to adult age. Developmental disability is a term used to describe life-long disabilities attributable to mental and/or physical or combination of mental and physical impairments

Gyeongju is also home to four institutions of tertiary education. Tertiary education, also referred to as third stage third level and' post-secondary education', is the educational level following the completion of a school providing The smallest of these, Sorabol College, is a small technical college of the sort found in many small Korean cities. Each of Gyeongju's three universities reflects the city's unique role. Dongguk and Uiduk universities are Buddhist institutions, reflecting that religion's enduring link to the city. Dongguk University is a private coeducational university in South Korea. Uiduk University is located in Kyungju, Kyongpoake Province Korea Gyeongju University, formerly Korea Tourism University, is strongly focused on tourism, reflecting the importance of tourism in the region. Gyeongju University (originally Korea Tourism University is a privately run 4-year university located in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang province South Korea

Transportation

The city lies at the junction of two minor lines operated by the Korean National Railroad. Korail is the national railroad operator in South Korea. Korail operates passenger and freight trains throughout South Korea The Jungang Line runs from Seoul to Gyeongju, and also carries trains from the Daegu Line, which originates in Dongdaegu. The Jungang Line is a railway line connecting Cheongnyangni to Gyeongju in South Korea. The Daegu Line is a railway line in South Korea. The line connects Dongdaegu Station on the Gyeongbu Line in Daegu to Yeongcheon Dongdaegu Station, meaning "East Daegu Station" is a railway station in Daegu, South Korea. In Gyeongju, the Jungang line connects to the Donghae Nambu Line which goes between Pohang and Busan. The Donghae Nambu Line is a railway line connecting Busan to Pohang in South Korea. Pohang is a city in North Gyeongsang Province South Korea. The built-up area of Pohang is located on the alluvium of the mouth of the Hyeongsan River

The Gyeongbu Expressway, which runs from Seoul to Busan, passes through Gyeongju. The Gyeongbu Expressway ( Korean: 경부 고속도로 Gyeongbu Gosok Doro) ( Asian Highway Network) is the oldest and most heavily travelled In addition, there are six national highways which crisscross the city. Thanks to the city's popularity as a tourist destination, nonstop bus service is available from most major cities in South Korea.

High-speed rail does not currently serve Gyeongju, in part because the KTX Gyeongbu Line does not pass through the city. The Korea Train eXpress ( KTX) is South Korea 's High-speed rail system The Gyeongbu Line ( Gyeongbuseon) is the most important Railway line in South Korea and one of the oldest constructed by Japan in 1905 connecting However, high-speed service will be available after the completion of the Daegu-Busan portion of the KTX line, scheduled for 2010. The Korea Train eXpress ( KTX) is South Korea 's High-speed rail system The trains will stop at Singyeongju Station, in Geoncheon-eup, south of Gyeongju's city center.

Sister Cities

• Xi'an, China

Notes

1. ^ 농축수산. UserEl_C --> Xi'an ( Postal map spelling: Sian is the Capital of the Shaanxi province in the China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Gyeongju City website. Retrieved on July 7, 2005.
2. ^ 위치와 자연지리. Gyeongju City website. Retrieved on July 15, 2005.
3. ^ Kang (2002), p. 6.
4. ^ Kang (2002), p. 5.
5. ^ Lee (1984), p. 149.
6. ^ Lee (1984), p. 214.
7. ^ Kookmin University (2004), p. 27.
8. ^ 1. Population Trend. Statistical yearbook of Gyeongju 2004. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
9. ^ 1. Population Trend. Statistical yearbook of Gyeongju 2004. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
10. ^ 7. Internal Migration. Statistical yearbook of Gyeongju 2004. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
11. ^ 6. Vital Statistics. Statistical yearbook of Gyeongju 2004. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
12. ^ 8. Registered Foreigners by Major Nationality. Statistical yearbook of Gyeongju 2004. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
13. ^ Kim (1982), p. 30.
14. ^ Kim, 2003, pp. 136–152.
15. ^ For example, in the Handbook of Korea 11th ed. , p. 656, and in World Heritage Committee twenty-fourth session. UNESCO WHC Archive. Retrieved on July 9, 2005.
16. ^ Yi, Seong-gyu. (2003). 문학 작품에 나타난 방언. (Munhak jakpum-e natanan bang-eon. Dialect appearing in literary works). Sae Gugeo Saenghwal 13(4). [1]
17. ^ 3. Number of Establishments and workers, by Industry. Statistical yearbook of Gyeongju 2004. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
18. ^ 지역경제. Gyeongju city website. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
19. ^ 농축수산. Gyeongju City website. Retrieved on July 7, 2005.
20. ^ 5. Mineral Production. Statistical yearbook of Gyeongju 2004. Retrieved on July 4, 2005.
21. ^ KHNP Fact Sheet. CANDU Owners Group website. Retrieved on July 7, 2005. See also site.
22. ^ 학교현황. Gyeongju Bureau of Education website. Retrieved on July 22, 2005.

References

• Kang, Bong W. (2002). A study of success and failure in the water management of the Buk Chun in Kyongju, Korea. Paper delivered at the Eighteenth Congress of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. (Electronic Version).
• Kim, Deok-muk (2003). 전국의 기도터와 굿당 (Jeon-gukui gidoteo wa gutdang. Tr. "Sites of Buddhist prayer and shamanic practice nationwide"). Seoul:한국민속기록보존소. ISBN 89-953630-3-7.   (In Korean)
• Kim, Won-yong. Kim Won-yong (1922 - 1993 was a Korean Archaeologist and art historian (1982). Kyŏngju: The homeland of Korean culture. Korea Journal 22(9), pp. 25–32. [2] (In English)
• Kookmin University, Department of Korean History (2004). 경주문화권 (Gyeongju Munhwagwon. The Gyeongju cultural area. ). Seoul:역사공간. ISBN 89-90848-02-4.   (In English)
• Korean Overseas Information Service (2003). Handbook of Korea (11th ed. ). Seoul: Hollym. ISBN 1-56591-212-8.  
• Lee, Ki-baek (Tr. by E. W. Wagner & E. J. Schulz) (1984). A new history of Korea (rev. ed. ). Seoul: Ilchogak. ISBN 89-337-0204-0.  
• Nilsen, Robert. South Korea. Moon Handbooks. ISBN 1-56691-418-3.   Travel-oriented, but it has 49 pages about Gyeongju. (In English)

See also

• List of cities in South Korea
• Geography of South Korea
• Southeastern Maritime Industrial Region
• World Heritage Site

External links

• City government website
• Gyeongju travel guide from Wikitravel
• Open Directory category