求韩国简介（英文）求韩国简介,英文的,从几个方面介绍,比如饮食,旅游,文化等等,最好把国旗也介绍一下

求韩国简介（英文）求韩国简介,英文的,从几个方面介绍,比如饮食,旅游,文化等等,最好把国旗也介绍一下
求韩国简介（英文）
求韩国简介,英文的,从几个方面介绍,比如饮食,旅游,文化等等,最好把国旗也介绍一下

求韩国简介（英文）求韩国简介,英文的,从几个方面介绍,比如饮食,旅游,文化等等,最好把国旗也介绍一下
Korea (한국, Hanguk, or 조선, Chosǒn) is a civilization and geographical area situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia, bordering China (PRC) to the northwest and Russia to the northeast, with Japan situated to the southeast across the Korea Strait. It is currently divided into two political entities: South Korea, a capitalist liberal democracy, and North Korea, a totalitarian communist dictatorship. Korea is a vey warm place and Jin-o is from North Korea!
One of the world's oldest civilizations, Korea has a recorded history dating back approximately 3,000 years. In the 4th century, the adoption of the Chinese writing system, Buddhism, and other aspects of culture had a profound effect on its society. Koreans later passed on these, as well as their own advances, to Japan helping that country make its first steps into civilization.
After unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea in 676, Korea was ruled by a single government and maintained political and cultural independence until the Mongol invasions of the 13th century. For many centuries, Korea maintained a close relationship with China, the region's dominant power, while preserving its own distinct identity.
At one point, Koreans invented the world's first metal movable type, self-striking clock, rain gauge, and ironclad warship. Korean civilization reached its height in the 15th century, during the reign of Sejong the Great. Korea then fell into stagnation in the latter part of the Joseon Dynasty and, by the late 19th century, became the object of imperial designs by the great powers.
In 1905, Korea was occupied by Japan and remained a colony until the end of World War II. American and Soviet troops then occupied the country and helped establish governments sympathetic to their respective ideologies, leading to its current division.
Korea is often called the "Land of the Morning Calm" for its serene sunrises and peaceful mornings.
The common name "Korea" derives from the Goryeo period of Korean history, which in turn referred to the ancient kingdom of Goguryeo. It is now commonly used in English contexts by both South and North Korea.
In the Korean language, Korea as a whole is referred to as Hanguk (Korean hangul: 한국; hanja: 韩国; revised: Hanguk; McCune-Reischauer: Han'guk) by South Korea and Chosŏn (Korean chosŏn'gŭl: 조선; hanja: 朝鲜; McCune-Reischauer: Chosǒn; revised: Joseon ) by North Korea.
There is archaeological evidence that people were living on the Korean Peninsula around 700,000 years ago, during the Lower Paleolithic. The earliest known Korean pottery dates to around 7000 BC, and the Neolithic period begins around 6000 BC. The Jeulmun Pottery Period spans from 3500 BC to 2000 BC.
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Gojoseon
Korea was founded in 2333 BC, according to the Dangun legend. This kingdom, known as Joseon, is usually called Gojoseon (meaning Old Joseon) distinguishing it from the modern Joseon Dynasty. Gojoseon cultural artifacts and walled cities are found throughout Korea and southern Manchuria.
Archeological and contemporary written records indicate it likely developed from a federation of walled cities into a centralized state sometime between the 7th and 4th centuries BC, when it declared itself a kingdom and warred with northern Zhou dynasty kingdoms. In 108 BC, the Chinese Han dynasty defeated Gojoseon and installed four commanderies in northern Korea (including one near present-day Pyongyang) and Manchuria primarily as commercial outposts. Three of those commanderies fell to local resistance by 75 BC.
A state called Jin existed in southern Korea prior to Gojoseon's fall. Although very little is known about its political organization, bronze artifacts from the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC have been uncovered in the region. Samhan, three loose confederacies that claimed descent from Jin, followed. In the north, the expanding Goguryeo united Buyeo, Okjeo, and Dongye in the former Gojoseon territory, and destroyed the last Chinese commandery in 313 AD.
A Korean pagoda[edit]
Joseon Dynasty (1392-1905)
In 1392, Yi Seong-gye established the Joseon Dynasty, moving the capital to Hanseong (now Seoul). During the first 200 years of the new dynasty, the northern territory was added, the area of cultivated land was doubled, science and technique state jumped up, new letters fitted for Korean language (hunminjeongeum) was established, many books were published for elementary education, and constitution and law were completed.
During the late 1590s, Japan invaded Korea in two failed attempts, known together as the Seven-Year War, causing great destruction. The invaders burnt down anything they could not take back to Japan and this is when major Korean cultural artifacts went missing. With the assistance of Ming Chinese troops and the ironclad warships of Admiral Yi Sunsin, Joseon forces were able to repel the Japanese.
After the invasion by Japan, however, in the 1620s and 1630s the Joseon Dynasty was not able to defend Korea from invasion by Manchu troops. It agreed to recognize the legitimacy of the new Qing Dynasty as rulers of China. Korea then enjoyed more than two centuries of peace. In fact, the country isolated itself from the outside world so much that it was often called the "Hermit Kingdom".
The Joseon Dynasty is believed to be the longest-lived actively ruling dynasty in East Asia.
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Japanese occupation
Main article: Korea under Japanese rule
Beginning in the 1870s, Japan began to force Korea to move out of China's sphere of influence into its own. In 1895, Empress Min of Korea was murdered by the Japanese under Miura Goro's directive (Kim et al. 1976). After the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars, Japan gained dominance over Korea. In 1910, Japan forced Korea to sign the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty.
Japanese occupation was brutal and led many Koreans to resist, eventually leading to the independence movement in 1919. This movement was brutally suppressed and thousands were killed by occupation forces.
During World War II, many Koreans were forced to support the Japanese war effort. Tens of thousands men were conscripted into Japan's military, while up to 200,000 women were used as forced laborers and sex slaves, often called "comfort women". About 60,000 Koreans working under harsh conditions in Japanese mines are known to have died between 1939 and 1945, and an unknown number of people were forced to become samples for Japanese biological experiments conducted by the Unit 731.
Anti-Japanese sentiment still runs fairly strong in Korea, especially in older generations, as a result of what Koreans see as continuing unrepentant actions.
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Division
Main article: Division of Korea
With the defeat of Japan in 1945, the Japanese colonial government was immediately replaced with American and Soviet presence. The Soviet Union supported the North Korean government, which was also associated with Communist China; the United States was closely allied to South Korea, helping Koreans with experience under the Japanese occupation to gain power and suppress Communists. Koreans faced bitter divisions: former collaborators were widely mistrusted and hated by Koreans, yet they possessed the most experience and remained in power. Communism began to take hold in Korea, and Koreans who had fought along with Communist China gained power and fame.
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Korean War and hopes for reunification
Main articles: Korean War, Korean reunification
According to some political scientists, the Korean War resulted directly from the U.S. policy of Containment. The United States supported Korean nationalists who opposed Communism, funded and staffed the South Korean army, and influenced the United Nations to support the South Korean military (Cumings 1997). In 1945, in the aftermath of World War II, the United Nations developed plans for a trusteeship administration, the United States effectively began administering the peninsula south of the 38th parallel and the Soviet Union administering north. The politics of the Cold War resulted in the 1948 establishment of two separate governments.
However, it is certain that North Korea invaded South Korea long after the US army left South Korea except for some advisers and when the South Korean government did not take the possibility of N. Korea's invasion seriously. The day when the war broke out was Sunday, and more than two thirds of the military forces were off duty in South Korea, and the North Korean army's campaign began at 4 AM.
The Korean War began in June 1950 and lasted until 1953. The North Korean army invaded the South without any notice or warning, prompting U.S. and then Chinese intervention. Millions of Koreans died, and the United States waged a bombing campaign over North Korea that effectively destroyed most cities: "There were simply 'no more cities in North Korea'" (Cumings 1997: 298). After three devastating years of fighting, the war ended in a ceasefire agreement at approximately the same boundary, though South Korea gained slightly more territory than it lost. This boundary was set as the demilitarized zone which constitutes the border between the two countries. The two countries never signed a peace treaty. Both Korean states proclaim eventual reunification as a goal, and a united Korea is very much a part of Korean ethno-cultural identity.
Since the 1990s, with progressively liberal South Korean administrations, as well as the death of North Korean founder Kim Il-sung, the two sides have taken halting, symbolic steps towards cooperation, in international sporting events, reunification of separated family members, economic matters, and tourism.
Recently, in effort to promote reconciliation, the two Koreas have adopted a single Unification Flag. While this flag may represent Korea at international sporting events, it is not the official flag of either North Korea or South Korea. Both states still officially retain the two separate national flags that they have used since their foundings in 1948.
See also: History of South Korea, History of North Korea
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Geography
Main article: Korean peninsula
See also: Geography of North Korea, Geography of South Korea, Provinces of Korea
Korea is located on the Korean Peninsula in North-East Asia. It is bound by two countries and three seas. To the northwest, the Yalu River separates Korea from China and to the north, the Tumen River separates Korea from Russia. The Yellow Sea is to the west, the South China Sea is to the south, and the Sea of Japan (East Sea) is to the east of Korea. Notable islands include Jeju-do, Ulleung-do, and Dok-do.
The southern part and western part of the Korean mainland have well developed plains, while the eastern and northern parts are mountainous. The highest mountain in Korea is Mt. Baekdu (2744m, Changbaishan in chinese). The border with China runs through the mountain. The southern extension of Mt. Baekdu is a highland called Gaema Gowon. This highland was mainly raised during the Cenozoic orogeny and partly covered by volcanic matter. To the south of Gaema Gowon, successive high mountains are located along the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula. This series of mountains is named Baekdudaegan. Some significant mountains include Sobaeksan (2,184 m), Baeksan (1,724 m), Geumgangsan (1,638 m), Seoraksan (1,708 m), Taebaeksan (1,567 m) and Jirisan (1,915 m). There are several lower, secondary mountain series whose direction is almost perpendicular to that of Baekdudaegan. They are developed along the tectonic line of Mesozoic orogeny and their directions are NW, NWW.
As opposed to the old mountains on the mainland, some important islands in Korea were formed by volcanic activity in the recent Cenozoic. Jeju-do, situated off the south coastline of the Korean Peninsula, is a large volcanic island whose main mountain is Mt. Halla (1950 m). Ulleung-do and the Dok-do are volcanic islands in the Sea of Japan, whose composition is more feslic than Jeju. The volcanic islands tend to be younger as one moves westward.
Because the mountainous regions are biased toward the eastern part of the peninsula, the main rivers tend to flow to westwards. Two exceptions are the southward-flowing Nakdong River and the Seomjin River. Important rivers running westward include the Yalu, Cheongcheon River, Daedong River, Han River, Geum River, and Yeongsan River. These rivers have vast flood plains and they provide an ideal environment for rice cultivation.
The southern and southwestern coastline of the Korean Peninsula is a well-developed Lias coastline. It is known as Dadohae in Korean. Its complicated coastline provides mild seas, and the resulting calm environment allows for safe navigation, fishing, and seaweed farming. In addition to the complex coastline, the western coast of the Korean peninsula has an extremely high tidal amplitude (at Incheon, around the middle of the western coast, it is as high as 9 m). Vast tidal flats are developing on the south and west coastline of the Korean Peninsula.
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Demographics
Main article: Korean people
Korea is populated by a relatively homogeneous ethnic group, the Koreans, who speak a distinct language called Korean and use the unique script hangul.
A minority of ethnic Chinese (about 20,000) [1]) exists in South Korea and small communities of ethnic Chinese and Japanese are said to exist in North Korea ([2]).
The foreign workforce in South Korea, primarily consisting of laborers from countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Vietnam, is estimated at over half a million. There are also more than 10,000 Americans, Australians, British, Canadians, Irish, and South Africans working as English language teachers in the country. In addition, about 30,000 U.S. soldiers are on active duty in South Korea.
The combined population of the Korean Peninsula is about 73 million persons.
See also: Demographics of South Korea, Demographics of North Korea
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Language
Main articles: Korean language, Hangul
See also: Korean numerals, Korean name
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Culture
Main article: Culture of Korea
See also: Korean architecture, Korean art, Korean pottery
Korean buddhist architectureIn ancient Chinese texts, Korea is referred to as "Rivers and Mountains Embroidered on Silk" (锦绣江山) and "Eastern Nation of Decorum" (东方礼仪之国). During the 7th and 8th centuries, land and sea trading networks connected Korea to Arabia. As early as 845, Arab traders mentioned Korea saying, "Over the sea beyond China lies a mountainous country called 'Silla', rich in gold. Muslims who arrive there by accident are so attracted by its character that they stay there forever and do not want to leave."
According to Japanese records, Korean scholars introduced Chinese knowledge and technology, including Chinese characters and the major classics, such as the Confucian Analects to Japan. In 554, the Korean kingdom of Baekje sent doctors, herb and calendar specialists, and diviners to Japan, and in 602, a Baekje monk named Kwalluk, was dispatched to deliver books on astronomy, calendar-making, geography, and divination.
Korean festivities often showcase vibrant colors, which have been attributed to Mongolian influences: bright red, yellow, and green often mark traditional Korean motifs [3]. These bright colors are sometimes seen in the traditional dress known as hanbok.
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Religion and education
Amitabha and Eight Great Bodhisattvas, Goryeo scroll from the 1300sMain articles: Korean Confucianism, Korean Buddhism, Christianity in Korea
Confucian tradition has dominated Korean thought, along with contributions by Buddhism, Taoism, and Korean Shamanism. Since the middle of the 20th century, however, Christianity has competed with Buddhism to be the dominant religious force in South Korea, while religion has been suppressed in North Korea.
According to 2003 statistics compiled by the South Korean government, about 46 % of citizens profess to follow no particular religion. Christians account for 27.3% of the population and Buddhists 25.3%.
Koreans valued scholarship and rewarded education and study of Chinese classic texts; Yangban boys were highly educated in Hanja. Until modern times, Koreans placed a lot of emphasis on hereditary status. Until the 10th century, a man's "bone rank" (determined by the rank of his father and his mother) defined his social status and what government post he would be appointed to. From the 10th century through to the end of the 19th century, the social status of a man's father and mother determined which civil service examination, if any, he could take but did not guarantee him a post.
In April 2006, South Korea became the first country in the world to provide high-speed internet access to all of its primary and secondary schools. [4]
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Cuisine
Main article: Korean cuisine
Korean cuisine is probably best known for kimchi, which uses a distinctive fermentation process of preserving vegetables. Chili peppers are also commonly used, which has given it a reputation for being spicy. Bulgogi (roasted marinated beef or pork), galbi (rib), and samgyeopsal (pork fatback) are popular meat entrees. Koreans meals are accompanied by a soup or stew, often made with dwenjang bean paste.
See also: Korean tea ceremony, Korean royal court cuisine
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Sports
South Korea hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, giving the country an economic boost through increased tourism and greater world recognition. At the time, North Korea boycotted the event on the grounds that it was not made co-host.