Kaema Plateau

Kaema Plateau
Chosŏn'gŭl	개마고원
Hancha
Revised Romanization	Gaema gowon
McCune–Reischauer	Kaema kowŏn

The Kaema Plateau is a highland in North Korea. It is surrounded by Rangrim Mountains, Macheollyeong Mountains and Bujeollyeong Mountains. It varies between 700 and 2,000 meters of altitude and at 40,000 square kilometers, sloping downward towards the northern border with People's Republic of China. It is largest tableland in Korea; it is often called "The roof of Korea". In North Korea, Kaema Plateau is divided into Kaema Plateau, Jagang Plateau, and Baekmu Plateau (in Musan). In this case, the area of Kaema Plateau reaches about 10,000 square kilometers. This Plateau was a flat plain before million years ago, an extension of Manchurian plains. Therefore, rivers like Hochon and Changjin were tributaries of Songhua River. However, the plain have uplifted to elevation of nowadays. Also, basalt from Baekdu Mountain accumulated in Changbai Korean Autonomous County, inducing the rivers into Amnok River. The valleys were formed afterward by the tributaries. Thus, flat terrain still remains in some part in southeastern part of the plateau.

It is one of the coldest parts of Korean Peninsula. It is high altitude area, around 1500m above from the ground. During winter, temperature is around -16.1℃ to −17.2 °C, but it is not uncommon that temperature going down below −40 °C.

Since it is not suitable area for human, ecosystem and wildlife are well preserved in Kaema Pleatu. The area is a known habitat for many rare and endangered animals like Siberian tigers, Amur leopards, Siberian lynx, wolves, bears, Ussuri dholes, Yellow-throated marten. Wild boar and deer subspecies are in the forests. Many wild birds such as black grouse, owls, and woodpecker are known to inhabit the area.

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