ANCIENT KOREA

MAP OF KOREA

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

For most of the roles of society, men were considered superior and were the rulers. Women were an inferior class, for the exception of Queen Sondok. She ruled over Silla, only because she had no brothers and was the oldest sibling.

LANGUAGE/WRITING

Korea developed their own language by modifying China's symbolic language. King Sejong had his scholars establish Hangul, and as a written language, prompted an increased literacy rate.

CULTURE

Most of Koreas values and culture was about family and ancestors. Caring for elders and continuing the family line was considered very important.

A SIMPLIFIED TIMELINE

• Silla, Baekje, and Gorguryeo are founded and become centralized kingdoms (57BC - 356)
• Gorguryeo unifies the three kingdoms (936)
• Yi Seonggye is crowned king, the Joseon Dynasty begins (1392)

TIMELINE CONT.

• Japan invasion of Korea (1592)
• Japan surrenders to the Allies (1945)
• Korea becomes independent (1945)
• The Korean War (1950-1953)

THE EAST ASIAN MONSOON

• Reliable precipitation in July and August
• Occasional rain failure can cause droughts and crop failures
• Its predictable course makes it easy to track
• Affects approx. one third of the global population

THE BORDER RIVERS

• The Amnokkang and Tuman-gan rivers (also called the Yalu and Tumen rivers) naturally form the borders between China, Russia and North Korea
• Most of the river freezes over in the winter, and can crossed by foot
• Is badly polluted by nearby factories of North Korea and China

NAKTONG RIVER BASIN

• Is the longest river in Korea and runs through many major cities such as Daegu and Busan
• Currently makes up one third of South Koreas agricultural produce
• Used to be the eastern border for the Gaya confederacy
• Its river basin has always been a favoured dwelling place

GEUM RIVER BASIN

• Is a major river that originates in Jangsu-eup, in the North Jeolla Province
• Has two major river dams that supplies water for 5 million people
• Is the root of many legends that associate with the ancient kingdom of Baekje

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Korea
• https://www.thoughtco.com/the-korean-peninsula-1435252
• https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Korea
• http://www.southkoreagovernment.com/geography.htm

THANK YOU

JEJUDO ISLAND

• 140km South of Mokp'o in the South Sea
• Today, the subtropical climate makes tourism the most important industry in the regin
• (Not using this slide)