Gyeonggi Province

Gyeonggi Province
Name	Gyeonggi Province
Native name	경기도
Settlement type	Province
Coordinates	37, 30, N, 127...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	South Korea
Seat type	Capital
Seat	Suwon
Leader title	Governor
Leader name	Kim Dong-yeon
Area total km2	10,184
Population total	13,511,676
Population as of	2022
Population density km2	auto
Blank name sec1	Metropolitan area
Blank info sec1	Seoul Capital Area
Blank1 name sec1	Dialect
Blank1 info sec1	Gyeonggi dialect
Website	www.gg.go.kr

Gyeonggi Province is the most populous province of South Korea, surrounding the national capital of Seoul and the city of Incheon. Its capital is Suwon, home to the UNESCO World Heritage site Hwaseong Fortress. The province forms the heart of the Seoul Capital Area, one of the world's largest metropolitan economies.

History

The region has been a strategically vital area since the Three Kingdoms of Korea, serving as the core territory of the Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla kingdoms. During the Joseon Dynasty, it housed the royal capital Hanseong (modern Seoul) and numerous royal tombs like the Donggureung cluster. The modern boundaries were largely established after the Korean War and the 1963 incorporation of parts of Gangwon and Chungcheong provinces. Significant historical events include the Japanese invasions and the Korean War battles along the Imjin River.

Geography

Gyeonggi Province borders the Yellow Sea to the west, Gangwon Province to the east, Chungcheong provinces to the south, and North Korea's Hwanghae Province to the north via the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Major rivers include the Han River, which flows through Seoul, and the Imjin River. The terrain features the western coastal plains, the Gwangju Mountains, and areas like Paju and Yeoncheon near the DMZ. Key islands include Ganghwa Island, known for its dolmen sites.

Demographics

With over 13 million residents, it is a densely populated hub of the Seoul Capital Area. Major cities with populations exceeding one million include Suwon, Goyang, Yongin, and Seongnam. The province has experienced rapid growth due to migration from other regions like Jeolla and massive new town developments such as Bundang and Ilsan. A significant international community resides in areas like Ansan's Wongok-dong.

Economy

It hosts the headquarters of major conglomerates like Samsung Electronics in Suwon and Hyundai Motor Company in Seoul. Key industrial complexes are located in Ansan, Siheung, and Pyeongtaek, which houses the expanded Pyeongtaek Port. The Pangyo Techno Valley in Seongnam is a center for information technology and venture companies. The province is also a major agricultural producer for the metropolitan area, with farms in Gapyeong and Yangpyeong.

Culture and tourism

The province boasts several UNESCO sites, including Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty scattered in Guri and Goyang. Traditional villages like the Korean Folk Village in Yongin and Heyri Art Valley in Paju are popular destinations. Annual festivals include the Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival and the Pocheon Herb Island light festivals. Cultural institutions like the Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art and Aram Nuri in Ansan are prominent.

Administrative divisions

Gyeonggi Province is divided into 28 cities (si) and 3 counties (gun). The largest cities by population are Suwon, Yongin, Goyang, and Seongnam. Other significant cities include Bucheon, Ansan, and Namyangju. The three counties are Yangpyeong, Gapyeong, and Yeoncheon. Special districts exist within cities, such as Sangnok-gu in Ansan.

Category:Gyeonggi Province Category:Provinces of South Korea Category:Seoul Capital Area