North Korea | History, Capital, Language, Flag, Facts & Geography of North Korea
History of North Korea:
Three kingdoms controlled Korea in the first century AD. They belonged to the Shilla, Koguryo, and Pekche tribes. The region continued in this state until the Shilla Kingdom brought all of Korea under its control in 668 AD. The Koryo monarchy succeeded the Shilla kingdom in 935, and the Choson dynasty came next in 1392. The Koryo kingdom is where the name Korea originates.
Throughout its history, stronger empires and nations have attacked and occupied Korea. From 1231 through the 14th century, Korea was dominated by the Mongol Empire, and Japan invaded the country in the 1500s. Both the Chinese and the Russians attempted to attack Korea in the 1900s. In each instance, the Japanese defeated them and annexed Korea to their empire.
After the defeat of Japan in World War II, Korea was split into two regions. Both the north and the south came under the rule of the Soviet Union. At the 38th parallel, they were split apart. This split was intended to be temporary, but it is still in place today. North of the 38th parallel is the nation of North Korea.
In 1948, North Korea attained independence. The Soviet Union, a communist nation, ruled it and provided help. North Korea and South Korea went to war in 1950. The Cold War’s first significant war was the Korean War.
Currently a communist state, North Korea keeps itself cut off from the rest of the world. There can be severe tensions between North and South Korea.
Information about North Korea:
| Capital | Pyongyang |
| Population | 26,177,317 (Source: 2023 worldometer) |
| Major Cities | Pyongyang, Kaesong, Nampo, Hamhung, Sinuiju, Wonsan, Chongjin, Sariwon, Hungnam |
| Borders | China and Russia to the north and by the Republic of Korea (South Korea) to the south |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $29.6 billion (2018 wikipedia) |
| Currency | North Korean won (KPW) |
Flag of North Korea:
North Korea Economy Key Industries:
North Korea Major Industries: military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism
North Korea Agricultural Products: rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs, pork, eggs
North Korea Natural Resources: coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower
North Korea Major Exports: minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments), textiles, fishery products
North Korea Major Imports: petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment, textiles, grain
The Geography of North Korea:
Total Size of North Korea: 331,690 km² (source: wikipedia)
Geographical Low Point of North Korea: East Sea 0 m
Geographical High Point of North Korea: Paektu-san 2,744 m
Climate of North Korea: Temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer
General Terrain of North Korea: mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east
World Region or Continent of North Korea: Asia
Geographical Coordinates: 40 00 N, 127 00 E
The People of North Korea & Culture
North Korea Government Type: Communist state one-man dictatorship
North Korea Nationality: Korean(s)
North Korea National Holiday: Founding of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948)
North Korea Independence: 15 August 1945 (from Japan)
North Korea National Symbol: red star
North Korea National Anthem or Song: Aegukka (Patriotic Song)
North Korea Languages Spoken: Korean
North Korea Religions: traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way)
Interesting Facts about North Korea:
In 1948, North Korea was established.
North Koreans firmly believe that there is only one Korea.
North Korea has stringent border controls.
Rice is North Korea’s principal food crop.
North Korea does not require its citizens to pay taxes.
Previously, South Korea and North Korea were one nation.
North Korea’s top officials came from the same family.
There is a propaganda village in North Korea.
North Korea is not a socialist nation.
The only nation in the world ruled by a deceased person is North Korea.
Both men and women must serve in the military in North Korea.
No one may bear the name of a North Korean leader.
Only certain areas of North Korea are accessible to tourists.
The time zone in North Korea is separate.
Only 28 haircuts in North Korea have been allowed.
North Korea does not observe New Year’s.
North Korea does not accept foreign currency from visitors.
North Korea comes in bottom on the freedom ranking.
China, South Korea, and Russia all have land borders with North Korea.
