Analysis of Jeju Island, Chongjin City, and Hoeryong City - Case Study Example

Analysis of Jeju Island, Chongjin and Hoeryong Jeju Island Jeju Island is of a volcanic origin, and for that reason, it has 368 secondary craters. From the capital city of Korea, the island is a distance of one hour by air, it is one of the nine provinces of South Korea, and the country’s largest island. Jeju Island is an oval shaped mass of land, stretching 73 kilometers from the east to the west and 31 kilometers from the south to the north, with a coastline of 254 kilometers. It is in the list of the 7 New Wonders of Nature, and UNESCO regards it as the finest system of lava tube caves anywhere. The island has a coastal climate with minimum temperatures above 0 o C even in winter because of warm currents. It is located on the border of subtropical and moderate zones and has mild climate all through the four annual seasons (JEJU ISLAND INFORMATION and TOURS n.p). Income for residents mainly comes from fishing, tourism, and agriculture. During the time when modern forms of transport had not been adopted in the island, movement was limited since the terrain was dangerous. The island has an abundance of women, and the people believe this is because most of the island men got lost at sea when fishing was the main source of livelihood. Being far from the mainland of Korea, there was very little interaction between the island residents and those of the mainland. For this reason, the island residents have a culture and dialect unique from any in the mainland evident in their statues, millstones, old government offices, shrines, residential houses, ruins, folk plays, native food, and local craftsmanship. In the past, women carried the responsibility of earning an income for the family, collecting edible seaweed and shellfish, a practice that still exists. The people built small circular towers of stone all over the island, believed to offer protection to their villages by warding off evil and giving them prosperity. The towers are beautiful landmarks on the island even today. Due to the striking differences between the island and the mainland, Jeju was declared a self-governing province of Korea in 2006, and it has its capital at Jeju City. Hallasan Mountain, a latent volcano, is probably the most conspicuous geographical feature in the island since it rises from the exact center of the island (CNN n.p). It is the highest mountain in South Korea, at 1950 meters above the sea level. Mountain peaks in the island have a lot of features that make it one of the best places to learn about Surtseyan-type volcanic eruptions. Sanbangsan Mountain is a mass of lava, approximately 700,000 years old. Its southern cliffs have a rich diversity of formations like talus scree slopes as tall as 200 meters, weathering pits, and a cave 150 meters above the sea level. The highest slopes of this mountain have distinct climate, and the slopes are protected due to their unmeasurable value in botanical research. Sangumburi Crater has a circumference of 2 kilometers and was given the title of a Natural Monument. It is flat, 650 meters wide, and 100 meters deep, making it look like an artificial circular stadium. It attracts researchers due to the presence of a wide variety of plants growing on its soil. Ssangyonggul and Hyeopjaegul caves on the island are the only known two-dimensional caves in the world. Manjang Cave is a lava tunnel and one of the finest in the world. It has interesting features like stalagmites, treasured because of the interest researchers have for its rare collection of animals. The island has a widespread lowland forest, filled with indigenous trees that contributes to the island’s relaxed atmosphere and warm climate. This climate made possible for the world’s biggest botanic garden, called Spirited Garden, to thrive. The idea for this garden began in 1968, with its director cutting out rocks and planting a variety of trees and plants collected from all areas in the country (Yeha Tour - Jeju YEHA BUS Tour, 2015). It has a landscape of close to 39,700 m2 with wisterias, maple trees, and pine trees varying in age between 30 and 300 years, and has around 100 rare tree species. The island climate is also conducive for the growing of millet, barley, buckwheat, and tea that is famously known to the locals as sulloc. From the numerous land formations and rocks on the island, it is famous for beautiful waterfalls. Cheonjeyeon waterfall is one of the most famous ones, and its first cascade is 22 meters high with the water forming a pond 21 meters deep; then it continues to form the second cascade, which is 30 meters high. Between the waterfall’s precipice and the lowest clay layer, there is a spot where water springs from and drops to the ground. This water drops from the ceiling of a cave east of the first cascade, growing into quite a few streams. Since the water gushes from the stony ground, it has been used to cure ailments and for drinking (Yeha Tour - Jeju YEHA BUS Tour, 2015). Jeju Island is very developed, as it was among the hosts of 2002 FIFA World Cup, it hosted the 2008 World Scouts Conference, and it is to host this year’s AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. More developments are evident courtesy of the Jeju Free International City Development Centre that is charged with the responsibility of turning the island into a free International City. Its economy has been supported by agriculture, fishing and industry, but tourism is becoming more prominent as the years go by. Jeju houses the main activities of Daum Communications, which is the leading internet site in Korea. Jeju Island still serves as an important heritage to the people of South Korea. Currently, aouthorities are putting measures to keep and preserve it so it does not lose its natural beauty despite the modernistic improvements taking place. Chongjin City and Hoeryong City Chongjin City is home to roughly 627,000 people and the among the country’s three largest cities. The name in Chinese means “Clear River crossing”, adopted from its origin as a fishing village, but the city has recently been titled “City of Iron” due to its huge steel complex. It is second to the largest industrial city in the People’s Republic of Korea (Chongjin - North Korean City of Iron, 2015). Chongjin went through massive growth over the 20th century, and it grew into a major port, steel producing and industrial city. Grid roads, chemical fibers, and machinery were put up into the city to serve industrialization and the growing population. Nearly one-third of the city’s population did not survive the 1945 Korean War from the United States bombs and shells. Since the Russo-Japanese War, Chongjin has sustained its position as an industrial and military city, and it is believed to have a quarter of Korea’s foreign trade. Due to its industrial and military associations throughout the years, Chongjin is rarely visited despite the fact that it is the only other town besides Pyongyang that operates a tram transport system. Sosong River flows through the city, and other natural features are Mount Komal and Sonam Stream. Its soils are not fertile enough for farming, so residents depend on products from other parts of the country, and it is also the reason it has always been appropriate for industrial activities. Chongjin Port has played a major role in enhancing international trade between North Korea and other parts of southeast and northeast Asia. In the Republic of Korea, it is the most significant port after Nampho economically and acts as a trade base to Japan and Russia. At the same time, meeting point for trade between North Koreans and the foreigners. Yom bun Revolutionary Site commemorates the place where President Kim II Sung took a young Kim Jong II to give on-site guidance to fishermen (Chongjin - North Korean City of Iron, 2015). The name Yombunjin was given to this town because of the salt making activities. The president advised fishermen on how they would contribute towards building a better country. The site has preserved the places. Additionally, he talked with fishermen and paused to have a photograph taken at an islet he visited by boat, a peak he and his son climbed, and where he fished also gets preserved. Kyongsong South Gate and Town Fort that was built in 1107 is part of North Korea’s National Treasure. The town fort is believed to be the only surviving city wall in North Korea located in Sungam district of workers. It has a circumference of 2,200 meters, 7.2 meters high with seven batteries and 560 small walls at the top for shooting arrows. With its intense history, Chongjin City has a lot of landmarks to remind constantly its occupants of the transformation taking place and the possibilities the future might hold. The town of Hoeryong is on the northeast side of North Korea, in North Hamkyung Province and is the closest to China across the border (Triposo - Hoeryong North Korea n.p). It is notable for being the birthplace of Kim Jong Suk, wife to President Kim II Sung and the mother to Leader Kim Jong II. There is a statue in the town that commemorates her achievements for her tribe, as she is also considered one of the “Three Great Generals of Mt. Paektu”. The town also boasts of having “Three Beautiful”, and those are apricots, beautiful earthenware, and beautiful women. Its local citizens are proud of this heritage and have preserved it over the years (Hannah n.p). Hoeryong town is home to Tumen River, which serves as the border between China and North Korea. There is another monument in the town that was built during the 1970s to commemorate the Wangjaesan Conference of 1935, called the Wangjaesan Monument. It is during this time that Kim II Sung led guerilla fighters into Korea, to fight against the Japanese occupation. Hoeryong is one of the six garrisons established under an order by Sejong the Great of Joseon between 1418 and 1450. It was set up to guard people against semi-nomadic Jurchens, who were living towards the north of Yalu River and were potentially hostile (Triposo - Hoeryong North Korea n.p). The 2007 the newly elected Prime Minister visited Hoeryong City in May. He arrived with one carriage on the train carrying glass and three others with cement for building. He ordered that the city should have decorations as a town with such heritage ought to. As at 2008, Hoeryong had a population of 153,532 persons and its population is growing steadily. The city is a massive miming area, which makes some of its terrain unsuitable for living conditions. Kim Jong Suk advocated and campaigned for sanitation and water conditions to be improved around the city between 2001 and 2008. During this time, the city residents made a significant change to their living conditions and this has greatly improved the health and safety issues of Hoeryong since that time (UNICEF DPRK - Real Lives - Water, environment and sanitation n.p). References Chongjin - North Korean City of Iron. 8 May 2015. . CNN, Staff. Jeju Island: South Koreas Volcanic Holiday Destination . 8 May 2015. . Hannah. Hannahs Hoeryong Adventure - Koryo Blog. 8 May 2015. . JEJU ISLAND INFORMATION and TOURS. 8 May 2015. . Triposo - Hoeryong North Korea. 8 May 2015. . UNICEF DPRK - Real Lives - Water, environment and sanitation. 8 May 2015. . Yeha Tour - Jeju YEHA BUS Tour. 8 May 2015. . 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