Koreas
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Korea 한국/韓國 (S. Korean) 조선/朝鮮 (N. Korean) |
|
|---|---|
|
|
.svg) |
|
| Capitals and largest cities |
 Seoul (largest overall) Pyongyang
|
| Language(s) | Korean |
| Demonym | Korean |
| Sovereign states |
North Korea South Korea
|
| Leaders | |
| Vacant (PM Hwang Kyo-ahn as a temporarily acting president) | |
| Kim Jong-un | |
| Area | |
|
• Total
|
219,155 km2 (84,616 sq mi) |
|
• Water (%)
|
2.8 |
| Population | |
|
• 2015 estimate
|
76,497,881 |
|
• Density
|
349.06/km2 (904.1/sq mi) |
| Currency |
North Korean won (₩) South Korean won (₩) |
| Time zone |
KST (UTC+9 (South Korea)) PYT (UTC+8:30 (North Korea)) |
| ISO 3166 code | KR/KP |
Korea is a historical state in East Asia, since 1945 divided into two distinct sovereign states: North Korea (officially the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea") and South Korea (officially the "Republic of Korea"). Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by China to the northwest and Russia to the northeast. It is separated from Japan to the east by the Korea Strait and the Sea of Japan (East Sea).
Korea emerged as a singular political entity as Gojoseon. After the invasion of the Han dynasty of China, the Koreans fragmented into numerous independent states. The kingdoms of Buyeo, Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, and Gaya became prevalent and unified the minor states. Afterwards, Buyeo was absorbed by Goguryeo while Gaya was separated between Baekje and Silla. This starts the Three Kingdoms of Korea era. The Koreas reached a cultural and influential golden age during the 4th, 5th, and 6th centuries, which came under the domination of Goguryeo as an empire. This golden age was to fall with massive invasions from the Sui Dynasty. Sui primarily invaded Goguryeo because the monarch and its court disagreed with the demands of lowering the title of the Goguryeo Emperor (Taewang). The Tang Dynasty of China continued to conduct similar massive invasions into Goguryeo. The war favored China and brought an end to Goguryeo and its ally, Baekje. Silla, which was initially allied with China ended up taking the lands of Baekje as Later Silla.
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Wikipedia