1.Overview

The Republic Of Korea is a small country on the far eastern edge of Asia. Although it ranks 109th in the world in terms of land area, the country is a center of economic activity, culture, and arts. Korea was colonized by Japan in the early 20th century and later had to endure the Korean War (1950-53), but it has achieved amazing economic growth in a short period, dubbed "the Miracle on the Han River."Today, Korea is an industrial nation standing tall on the world stage. Its semiconductor, automobile, shipbuilding, steel making, and IT industries are on the leading edge in global markets. It hosted the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2002 Korea-Japan FIFA World Cup. More recently, Korean dramas, movies, and music are attracting many audiences in Asian countries and beyond, creating what is being called the "Korean Wave." Korea's new standing in the international community was highlighted in 2010 with the nation becoming the first Asian country to chair the G20 and host the G20 Seoul Summit.

2. Statistics

General
Country Name
Republic of Korea (South Korea)

Capital City
Seoul (10.4 million) (2010)

National Flag
Taegeukgi

National Flower
Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon)

Currency
won (US$1 = 1,156.3 won) (2010)

Language
Korean (Writing system: Hangeul)

People
Population
48.87 million (South Korea) (2010)* Foreign Residents (including short-term sojourners) :1.2 million
* Cities by Population: Seoul (10.4 million),Busan (3.6 million), Incheon (2.7 million),Daegu (2.5 million), Daejeon (1.5 million), Gwangju (1.4 million), Ulsan (1.1 million) (2010)
Median Age
38 years (2010)

Economically Active Population
24.5 million (2010)

Population Increase Rate
0.26% (2010)

Life Expectancy
Male, 77 years; female, 83.8 years (2009)

Religion
A 2005 census showed one half of the population  practice religion. Among them, 10,726,463 Buddhists,  8,616,438 Protestants, and 5,146,147 Catholics comprisethe three dominant religions.

Government
Political System
Republic with a president elected to a single 5-year termby direct popular vote. Division of power among the executive, legislature (unicameral National Assembly),and judiciary branches
President
Lee Myung-bak since 2008
Suffrage
Universal at 19 years of age
Elections
Presidential: every 5 yearsNational Assembly: every 4 yearsLocal Government: every 4 years

Economy
Gross Domestic Product
US$ 1,014 billion (2010)
Per Capita GNI
US$ 20,759 (2010)GDP Growth Rate: 6.2% (2010)Foreign Exchange Reserves: US$ 291.5 billion (2010)
Exports
US$441.5 billion (2010)
Imports
US$400.6 billion (2010)
Major Industrial Products
Semiconductors, automobiles, ships, consumer electronics,mobile telecommunications, equipment,steel, and chemicals.

Source: Gateway to Korea