SafekipediaSeoul metropolitan area
Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience
The Seoul metropolitan area, also known as Sudogwon or the Gyeonggi region, is a large and important area in north-western South Korea. It includes the cities of Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province.
This area is one of the biggest in the world, with about 26 million people. It covers around 12,685 km² (4,898 sq mi) and is the heart of South Korea. It is the main center for culture, business, and homes. The biggest city is Seoul, with about 10 million people. Next is Incheon, home to around three million people. This area is very important for South Korea.
Geography and climate
See also: Geography of South Korea
The big city area is on flat land in the valley of the Han River.
History
See also: History of South Korea and History of Seoul
The Seoul metropolitan area is a large and busy place where many people live and work. It includes the city of Seoul, the city of Incheon, and the area around them called Gyeonggi Province. This place has been important for a long time and has grown to become one of the biggest places where people live in the whole world.
Demographics
See also: Demographics of South Korea
The Seoul Metropolitan Area is a small part of South Korea, but many people live there. It is one of the biggest cities in the world. Lots of people have moved here over the years, and more keep coming. In 2020, more than 25 million people lived in the Seoul Metropolitan Area. That is more than half of all the people in South Korea.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 | 4,171,614 | — |
| 1960 | 5,194,167 | +24.5% |
| 1970 | 8,730,148 | +68.1% |
| 1980 | 13,298,241 | +52.3% |
| 1990 | 18,586,128 | +39.8% |
| 2000 | 21,354,490 | +14.9% |
| 2010 | 23,836,272 | +11.6% |
| 2020 | 26,043,325 | +9.3% |
| Source: | ||
Economy
See also: Economy of South Korea and Category:Companies based in Seoul
In 2023, the Seoul Metropolitan Area made up about half of South Korea's economy. It is worth around US$ 1.0 trillion and is the fourth-largest urban economy in the world, after Tokyo, New York, and Los Angeles. Many large companies have their main offices here.
The area has some of the richest neighborhoods and homes in Korea, but prices change a lot. Newer areas with modern homes and better facilities are usually more expensive, especially near Gangnam District, the main business center.
| Subdivision | Area (km2) | Population | GDP (KRW, trillion) | GDP (US$, billion) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Seoul | 605 | 9,586,195 | 575.035 | 421.586 |
 Incheon | 1,063 | 2,945,454 | 125.592 | 92.078 |
 Gyeonggi Province | 10,184 | 13,511,676 | 651.417 | 477.586 |
| Seoul Metropolitan Area | 11,852 | 26,043,325 | 1,352.044 | 991.249 |
Government
See also: Government of South Korea
Groups work together to help manage the area around Seoul. Plans to combine some cities into bigger ones have not been done yet.
Rules for building and growing here follow the Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act. This law was made in 1982 and updated in 1996 to guide how the area can grow.
Subdivisions
See also: Administrative divisions of South Korea
The Seoul Metropolitan Area includes the special city of Seoul, the metropolitan city of Incheon, and the province of Gyeonggi. Seoul has 25 areas called gu. Incheon has 8 gu and 2 counties. Gyeonggi Province has 28 cities and 3 counties.
Seoul
Main article: List of districts of Seoul
Further information: Seoul
Seoul has 25 districts, called gu.
- Dobong District
- Dongdaemun District
- Dongjak District
- Eunpyeong District
- Gangbuk District
- Gangdong District
- Gangnam District
- Gangseo District
- Geumcheon District
- Guro District
- Gwanak District
- Gwangjin District
- Jongno District
- Jung District
- Jungnang District
- Mapo District
- Nowon District
- Seocho District
- Seodaemun District
- Seongbuk District
- Seongdong District
- Songpa District
- Yangcheon District
- Yeongdeungpo District
- Yongsan District
Incheon
Main article: List of districts and counties of Incheon
Further information: Incheon
Incheon has eight districts called gu and two counties.
- Bupyeong District
- Dong District
- Gyeyang District
- Jung District
- Michuhol District
- Namdong District
- Seo District
- Yeonsu District
Gyeonggi-do
Main article: List of cities and counties of Gyeonggi Province
Gyeonggi-do has twenty-eight cities and three counties. Here are seven of the largest cities:
Suwon
Further information: Suwon
Suwon has four gu.
Goyang
Further information: Goyang
Goyang has three gu.
Yongin
Further information: Yongin
Yongin has three gu.
Seongnam
Further information: Seongnam
Seongnam has three gu.
Bucheon
Further information: Bucheon
Ansan
Further information: Ansan
Ansan has two gu.
Anyang
Further information: Anyang, Gyeonggi
Anyang has two gu.
The remaining cities and counties in Gyeonggi-do include:
- Anseong
- Dongducheon
- Gimpo
- Goyang
- Gunpo
- Guri
- Gwacheon
- Gwangju
- Gwangmyeong
- Hanam
- Hwaseong
- Icheon
- Namyangju
- Osan
- Paju
- Pocheon
- Pyeongtaek
- Siheung
- Uijeongbu
- Uiwang
- Yangju
- Yeoju
- Gapyeong County
- Yangpyeong County
- Yeoncheon County
Transportation
See also: Transport in South Korea and Transportation in Seoul
The cities in this area are connected by roads and trains. Important railroad lines, like the Gyeongbu Line, end in this region. The Seoul Metropolitan Subway makes travel easy with lines that cover Seoul, Incheon, and other nearby cities.
This area is also important for travel by plane and boat. The country's two biggest airports, Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport, are here. Ferries leave from Incheon's terminals several times a day.
The Seoul Ring Expressway links cities around Seoul.
Incheon International Airport
Seoul Metropolitan subway, Line 3
Map of Seoul Ring Expressway
Images
Related articles
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