The style of a group of people—expressed, for example, in music, literature, or art—helps to define its culture, the set of characteristics that makes a group unique. Culture can also include everyday things such as cuisine, language, sports, school activities, interpersonal interactions, or etiquette. In the modern world, many cultures have lost some of their former characteristics, becoming similar to urban cultures elsewhere. Korea has been able to retain many aspects of its ancient culture, blending the traditional with the modern in a distinctly Korean fashion.

 

 Around the world, people recognize and appreciate Korean culture. Taekwondo, a Korean martial art, has international organizations and is practiced globally. Korean restaurants serve traditional Korean foods, such as kimchi and bibimbap, all over the world. With the spread of entertainment through the Internet, K-pop music and Korean dramas now have enthusiastic fans on all continents. Korea’s manufacturing advances have given Korea a reputation for high tech competency. There is a growing interest worldwide in all things Korean, with benefits both for Korea and for the rest of the world.

 

 The physical environment of Korea has helped to shape a unique national culture that has flourished for centuries. Its peninsular location kept Korea separated enough from the rest of Asia to develop its own culture, while the surrounding seas fostered a rich exchange of ideas with other countries in the region. The varied terrain and seasonal climate patterns have influenced clothing styles, types of food, and architecture. The peninsula is one of the most densely populated territories in the world, and this has encouraged an emphasis on apartment-style, high density housing and a modern and efficient public transport system. A high population density has also been critical for supporting the growth in manufacturing and technological industries. Korea can serve as an example for smart growth for the rest of the world as it becomes more populated and urbanized.

 

 In recent decades, the separation of the country into North and South Korea has created cultural differences on both sides of the DMZ. While South Korea has benefitted from a greater openness and interconnectedness with the rest of the world, North Korea has become more isolated. Even the language has begun to diverge, with different words and dialects characteristic of each side. But the peoples of both countries retain many similarities and still consider each other as belonging to the same culture.

 

 For thousands of years, Korean culture has placed great emphasis on learning and scholarship. Korea has an especially long and distinguished tradition in cartography, or the art and science of making maps.

This map was drawn by Korean cartographers in 1402 and indicates the advanced knowledge of Korea at an early period. The Korean peninsula is depicted in detail on the right of the map. China and India are shown as a large, combined land mass at center. Japan is the island at the lower right. A greatly misshapen Europe and Africa are drawn at far left. In general, lands farther from Korea are more distorted and less accurate, with fewer details represented. The map was one of the best of its time and reflects the global outlook and cultural exchanges of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–910) of Korean history.

 

 Ancient historical and prehistoric features of global importance are evidence of the long history of human settlement on the Korean Peninsula. The United Nations has designated many of these features as World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites as part of a global program to identify, celebrate, and protect important historical resources for the benefit of all humankind. Some of these sites in Korea feature dolmens: large, stacked boulders linked to the Bronze Age that served as burial markers. The impressive Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, found across 18 locations in Korea, signify the worldviews and rituals of the time periods when they were built. Other interesting sites include a palace, a Confucian shrine, and several fortresses. Scattered across the Korean landscape, these cultural monuments attest to the long and continuous nature of one of the most ancient civilizations on Earth.

 

 The Korean World Heritage sites are mainly distributed in the central capital area and Gyeongsangbuk-do. Because Seoul has functioned as the capital of Korea since the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), several historical sites are found there, such as the Changdeokgung Palace Complex, the Confucian Shrine, and the royal tombs of the dynasty. The military facilities located around Seoul also functioned in defense of the capital; chief among these are the Hwaseong Fortress and Namhansanseong.

 

 Gyeongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do is also noteworthy as an important historical spot. As the former capital of the ancient kingdom Silla (57 BC–935), Gyeongju still possesses a variety of relics from ancient times, such as the Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple. Additionally, in Gyeongsangbuk-do, there are historical villages dating back to the early Joseon Dynasty. Meanwhile, there are two heritage sites in North Korea: the Historic Monuments and Sites in Gaeseong and the Complex of Goguryeo Tombs.

 

 The Korean folk villages of Hahoe and Yangdong and the royal shrine in Jongmyo are also worthy of notice. Daily life in the folk villages remains in keeping with Korean traditional customs. Programs at the royal shrine demonstrate the Confucian traditions of the Joseon dynasty’s royal family through various performances, such as rituals, music, and dance.