List of cities in South Korea by population
Traveling to various cities is fun, especially if you know some facts about those cities. South Korea has some great cities which would impress any tourist. Everything about South Korea cities is worth a tourist-visit: from their beautiful, natural, and historic landmarks and scenery to their industrial and technological hubs. It is no surprise that many migrants from outside the country, as well as natives that live in rural areas, move into cities in South Korea to take advantage of these sites and their opportunities.
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Did you know that South Korea has 9 provinces and 8 first level cities? Located on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, South Korea is a highly urbanized country. It is the most developed country in the East Asia region and as such, it has amazing cities. The big economy is home to some large multinational companies such as Hyundai, LG, and Samsung. From this, it is easy to tell that the country has done quite well on the technology front. In this article, we explore the fascinating cities of South Korea by population. All population data are based on the South Korean population and housing census 2015.
1. Seoul
Seoul is the capital city of South Korea. Strategically situated on the Han River, Seoul's history stretches back over two thousand years, when it was founded in 18 BCE by the people of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Seoul’s population(as of 2015) was 9,904,312. The Seoul skyline is characterized by high-rise apartments. This is a global city owing to its economy, livability, and contributions in technology. In its older days, the city used to be surrounded by a huge wall that kept residents safe from wild animals and external attacks. One of the biggest challenges in Seoul is traffic congestion. This can be attributed to the rapid growth of the country's population thus stretching the existing resources. Visitors to this city must be prepared to cope with crowded streets.
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2. Busan
Busan is the second largest city in South Korea with a population of 3,448,737 people according to the 2015 housing census. Found in the southeastern part of the country, the city has turned to be the largest industrial area in South Korea. Apart from that, the city is also the host of the fifth busiest seaport in the entire world. Tourists would love the fact that the city is also called the Summer Capital of South Korea. Along the Busan shoreline, you will find great beaches, restaurants, and cafes. Another interesting fact is that Busan has the largest department store in the world. Next time you are in Busan, you can visit Centum City to see the store (Shinsegae).
Source: UGC
3. Incheon
The city is located in the northwestern part of South Korea and has a population of 2,890,451 people according to the housing census done in 2015. It is the third largest city in the country. It is also a coastal city. The city has grown tremendously in the past few decades considering that in 1883 when it was established as an international port, the city had only 4,700 people only. The international port status has enabled the city to be a major gateway for commercial and cultural exchange.
4. Daegu
This city is home to close to 2,466,052 people. It is the fourth largest city in South Korea. The city used to be a manufacturing industry city. However, its growth has been affected by the decline in the textile industry. After Seoul, Daegu is South Korea’s second largest inland city. The city is scenic, surrounded by mountains that house Buddhist temples. The city is also filled with art and cultural scenes. Its contribution to international art cannot go without mention. The city is home to the Daegu International Opera Festival and the Daegu International Bodypainting Festival.
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Source: UGC
5. Daejeon
Daejeon has a population of 1,538,394 people. This is one of the busiest transportation hubs in the country. It is strategically located at crossroads of two key highways and two major railway lines. It is also a popular education center with many universities. There are approximately 18 universities in this city. This city is found at the heart of the country and it, therefore, enjoys good scenes from the surrounding mountains. At the western border of the city, you can find the Gyeryongsan National Park. The growth of the city is due to the fact that it is a provincial center for television, publishing, and newspaper among other organizations.
6. Gwangju
Gwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. The population for Gwangju city is 1,502,881 people. The city was established around 57 BC. It is situated in the southwestern parts of the country. It is claimed that the residents of the city possess the highest level of artistic sophistication and artistic knowledge as compared to people from other parts of the country. The cuisine in this city is also legendary because of its diversity. Interestingly, the city comprises mostly of the youth with 28.5% of the city residents being students.
7. Ulsan
Official statistics show that Ulsan has a population of about 1,166,615 people. The city is found towards the southeastern parts of the country. It is located north of Busan city. It is in this city that you find Hyundai. There are other great tourist attractions in the city such as grand parks, the Yeongnam Alps and a whaling museum.
The population of all cities in South Korea
- Andong - 168,581
- Ansan - 747,035
- Anseong - 194,765
- Anyang - 585,177
- Asan - 319,929
- Boryeong - 101,852
- Bucheon - 843,794
- Busan- 3,448,737
- Changwon- 1,059,241
- Cheonan - 629,062
- Cheongju - 833,276
- Chuncheon - 281,596
- Chungju - 211,005
- Daegu - 2,466,052
- Daejeon - 1,538,394
- Dangjin - 163,762
- Dongducheon - 97,424
- Donghae - 90,255
- Gangneung - 215,677
- Geoje - 261,371
- Gimcheon - 137,540
- Gimhae - 534,124
- Gimje - 84,269
- Gimpo - 352,683
- Gongju - 113,542
- Goyang - 990,073
- Gumi - 421,075
- Gunpo - 285,721
- Gunsan - 275,155
- Guri - 180,063
- Gwacheon - 64,817
- Gwangju - 1,502,881
- Gwangju - 310,278
- Gwangmyeong - 338,509
- Gwangyang - 144,414
- Gyeongju - 262,310
- Gyeongsan - 278,500
- Gyeryong - 39,243
- Hanam - 154,838
- Hwaseong - 608,725
- Icheon - 209,003
- Iksan - 301,723
- Incheon - 2,890,451
- Jecheon - 136,350
- Jeju (City) - 451,758
- Jeongeup -110,627
- Jeonju - 658,172
- Jinju - 349,788
- Miryang - 103,069
- Mokpo - 239,524
- Mungyeong - 71,863
- Naju - 92,582
- Namwon - 80,499
- Namyangju - 629,061
- Nonsan - 124,246
- Osan - 213,840
- Paju - 415,345
- Pocheon - 163,388
- Pohang - 511,804
- Pyeongtaek - 457,873
- Sacheon - 113,335
- Samcheok - 69,509
- Sangju - 98,760
- Sejong - 204,088
- Seogwipo - 153,861
- Seongnam - 948,757
- Seosan - 169,221
- Seoul -9,904,312
- Siheung - 425,184
- Sokcho - 79,846
- Suncheon - 265,390
- Suwon - 1,194,313
- Taebaek - 46,715
- Tongyeong - 137,208
- Uijeongbu - 421,579
- Uiwang -154,879
- Ulsan- 1,166,615
- Wonju - 330,854
- Yangju - 205,988
- Yangsan - 297,532
- Yeoju - 109,937
- Yeongcheon - 97,669
- Yeongju - 109,266
- Yeosu - 273,761
- Yongin - 971,327
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That marks the end of our list of cities in South Korea by population. If you are planning to visit South Korea, it is a good call because you can experience everything here- art, culture, technology, nature, and a warm welcome from the people of South Korea. The country has many cities, each unique in its own way. The list of great cities in the country is endless and as new cities emerge, we may might have to write about new cities in the future and what they have to offer.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
