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|
 Location |
 The
Korean peninsula's location lies adjacent to China, and Japan.
To be exact, the shortest distance between Korean and Chinese coasts
is 200 kilometers and from the southeastern tip of the peninsula,
it is also 200 kilometers away to the nearest point on the Japanese
coast.
The Korean peninsula is roughly 1,030 km (612 miles) long and 175
km (105 miles) wide at its narrowest point. Because of its unique
geographical location, this makes Korea very viable piece of land
and an international hub of Asia.
Geographical Make-up
Mountains cover 70% of Korea's land mass, making it one of the
most mountainous regions in the world. The lifting and folding of
Korea's granite and limestone base creates breathtaking landscapes
of scenic hills and valleys. Te mountain range that stretches the
length of the east coast falls steeply into the East Sea, while
along the southern and western coasts, the mountains descend gradually
to the coastal plains that produce the bulk of Korea's agricultural
crops, especially rice.
Division of the 38th Parallel
The Korean peninsula is divided just slightly north of the 38th
parallel. The democratic Republic of Korea in the south and the
communist government of North Korea are separated by a demilitarized
zone.
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| Weather
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| Korea has four seasons, with a wet
monsoon/summer in the middle of the year, and a cold winter from November
to March. The island of Jeju off the southern coast is the warmest
and wettest place in the country. The most ideal time to visit Korea
is during the autumn months (September~November). During this time,
the country experiences warm, sunny weather, skies are cobalt blue
and the spectacular foliage is perhaps the biggest draw. Winters are
cold and dry and remain a good time if you are interested in winter
sports as there are numerous ski resorts. Spring (April~May) is also
beautiful with all the cherry blossoms in bloom. However, it is very
busy and one needs to book in advance to ensure accommodation is available.
The summer months are muggy and hot, and rather crowded. It is also
when the monsoon begins so many activities are subject to the fluctuations
of heavy rain. |
| Time
Difference: Korea Time |
When Indicating Korea Time: Present Time (GMT+9) /
No daylight savings time.
| City |
Time |
| Rio de Janeiro, S'ao
Paulo |
*13 |
*16 |
*19 |
*22 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
11 |
| New York, Montreal, Bogota, Toronto |
*11 |
*14 |
*17 |
*20 |
*23 |
2 |
5 |
8 |
| Chicago, Houston |
*10 |
*13 |
*16 |
*19 |
*22 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco,
Los Angeles
|
*8 |
*11 |
*14 |
*17 |
*20 |
*23 |
2 |
5 |
| Sydney, Melbourne |
2 |
5 |
8 |
11 |
14 |
17 |
20 |
23 |
| Seoul, Tokyo (Korea Time) |
1 |
4 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
16 |
19 |
22 |
| Taipei, Manila, Hong Kong, Kulala
Lumpur, Singapore |
*24 |
3 |
6 |
9 |
12 |
15 |
18 |
21 |
| Bangkok, Jakarta |
*23 |
2 |
5 |
8 |
11 |
14 |
17 |
20 |
| New Delhi, Calcutta |
*22 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
16 |
19 |
| Teheran, Kuwait, Jeddah |
*19 |
*22 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
16 |
| Hamburg, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam |
*17 |
*20 |
*23 |
2 |
5 |
8 |
11 |
14 |
| London, Madrid |
*16 |
*19 |
*22 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
* Previous day |
| Business
Hour |
| Business |
Weekdays |
Saturdays |
Sundays and
National Holidays |
| Banks |
9 am - 5 pm |
Closed |
Closed |
Government Offices
and Organizations |
9 am - 6 pm |
Closed |
Closed |
| Post Offices |
9 am - 6 pm
(Gwanghwamun Post Office: 9 am – 8 pm) |
9 am - 1 pm
(From July 2005 the post office is expected to stop Saturday
hours.)
(Gwanghwamun Post Office: 9 am - 6 pm) |
Closed
(Gwanghwamun Post Office: 9 am - 6 pm) |
Foreign Diplomatic
Missions |
Hours vary, please see the following
link for more information: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade(English) |
Closed |
Closed |
| Department Stores |
10:30 am - 8 pm |
10:30 am – 8 pm |
10:30 am –8 pm
*Typically one day a month (usually a Monday) department stores
are closed to the public. However, closings will vary according
to each store. |
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| Helpful
Phone Number |
| • |
Reporting &
Police 112
Crime Reporting Phone Number 112 provides foreigners with a
translation service. When a tourist dials 112, a multilingual
operator (English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, French, Spanish,
and Germany) is made available to consult with the tourist about
his or her emergency situation and connect him or her directly
to police authorities. Hours of Operation: 08:00~23:00 (Monday
through Friday) / 9:00~18:00 (Saturday and Sunday) |
| • |
Fire and Medical Service 119
Linked to Korea Travel Phone 1330, it provides foreign tourist
with emergency rescue service. |
| • |
Medical Referral Service 1339 |
| • |
Information Service - International call 00794 |
| • |
International Call Service 00799 |
| • |
Information Service - Telephone number of where you
are located 114 |
| • |
Local telephone number guide - Local area code +
114 |
| • |
International Telegram Service 00795 |
| • |
Tourist Complaint Center 02-735-0101 |
| • |
International Emergency Rescue 02-790-7561
A 24-hour emergency rescue service for foreigners, it provides
patients with direct means for getting to a hospital anywhere
in Korea. All transportation fees are free |
| • |
Seoul Call Center 02-120
Offers all basic information concerning Seoul city, including
tourism information, restaurants, transportation, Korean language
schools, foreign language schools and any other information
on daily living in the city |
|
| Transportation |
Airport
Incheon
International Airport
• Website : http://www.airport.or.kr/eng/airport/
Gimpo International Airport
•
Website: http://gimpo.airport.co.kr/eng/index.jsp
City Bus
At first impression, getting around in Seoul might seem near impossible,
complicated and time-consuming but in fact, using public transportation
in the city is probably the most recommended mode of transport for
getting from point A to B.
• website : http://bus.congnamul.com
Subway
Seoul has one of the most well-developed subway systems in the world.
It's also one of the busiest, making some 8 million trips daily
across its 10 lines. In terms of passengers, the system is the third-busiest
in the world behind the Tokyo and Moscow subways.
• Website : http://www.smrt.co.kr/english_smrt/index.jsp
|
| Visa
Information |
The Organizing Committee of the 15th ANGIOPLASTY
SUMMIT-TCTAP 2010, sponsored by the CardioVascular Research Foundation
(CVRF).......
|
| Useful
Links |
* This
information is derived from KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION |
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