WEATHER AND CLIMATE

The Korean peninsula's climate is characterized by four seasons; Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Spring: Generally, spring starts in March and lasts until May. All plants and flowers bloom in this season.

Summer: From June to August. The temperature in summer is between 28 C to 34 C. There are many beaches and bays surrounding Korea. It may take only 2 hours by car to reach the nearest sea. Most beaches offer swimming, water skiing, wind surfing, jet skiing, etc.

Autumn: Autumn starts in September and lasts until November. Autumn is the most beautiful season in Korea. Many people go to the mountains to enjoy the wonderful scenery.

Winter: Winter begins in December and lasts until February. Skiing is a popular sport in Korea. Winter temperature is between 5 C to -10 C. There are nine ski resorts located 1~2hours from Seoul by car. Even though the average snowfall during the season is an abundant one meter per month, artificial snow-making facilities are installed on all slopes.

 

NIGHTLIFE

Koreans work long hours and like to "let off steam" at the end of the day, contributing to South Korea's lively night-life scene. Pub and club areas are colorful and vibrant, with neon everywhere you look. Most drinking spots have a selection of local and some imported beers, or you can try the potent potato vodka, soju, or the more traditional rice wines, dong-dong ju or makkoli. A bottle of soju (400ml of 25% alcohol) costs about W1000 (approx. $1.50CAN) and beer is about the same at the supermarket.

Nightspots consist of nightclubs, pubs (called hofs), restaurants and outdoor food and drink stalls (pojang matcha). Generally, all the above are open well past midnight.

Music lovers will find a range from jazz to rock or classical in bars and cafes. The ubiquitous noraebong (singing rooms), is typical of the Korean experience, where up to twelve friends can cram into a room to belt out songs to the karaoke machine. 

Night owls can enjoy midnight shopping or take a boat cruise to see the cities after dark. Be sure to take in the night view from the Seoul Tower after the sun goes down.

 

CULTURE AND PEOPLE

Population: over 46.9 million (1999 est.)
Koreans descended from the Mongolian race in prehistoric times. Periods of occupation have also added Chinese and Japanese blood to the gene pool. Although they have borrowed from other cultures, especially Chinese and Japanese, Koreans have maintained their own distinctive language, culture, and customs. It is a family-orientated society, heavily based on Confucianism, which even in modern times retains the basic patterns and manners of family-centered life.

 

LANGUAGE

The Korean language belongs to the Ural-Altic family of languages which also includes Turkish and Mongolian. Although the language contains many words derived from Chinese and printed media still use Chinese ideographs to represent many of those words, structurally the two languages are very different. Korean is closer to the Japanese language linguistically.

 

FOOD

Rice is the staple of the Korean diet and appears at almost all meals. A typical meal includes rice, some type of soup, sometimes a main dish of meat, pork or poultry, and various side dishes. Kimchi, the most common group of side dishes, includes various vegetables (cabbage, radishes, and various roots) fermented with spices (garlic, red pepper, and ginger). Korea produces several types of grain alcohol, most notably soju. Nowadays, many people eat more and more Western, Japanese, and Chinese food, with pizza becoming more popular than kimchi among the younger generation.

For a more in-depth look at Korea please visit the following links:

http://www.lifeinkorea.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korea
http://english.tour2korea.com/
http://www.korea.net/korea/korea.asp