THE NATIONAL ATLAS OF KOREA

Korea is located in the eastern part of the Eurasian continent on the west coast of the Pacific Ocean. People have populated the Korean Peninsula and the surrounding islands for many thousands of years during which time the national identity has evolved through many transformations beginning with the creation and merging of multiple kingdoms and culminating more recently with Korea’s spectacular emergence as a major player on the world stage. Korea’s location at this critical juncture where the continent meets the ocean has allowed Korea to become a literal gateway to eastern Asia, but more than that it has fostered Korea’s rich and distinctive culture. Throughout history the relationship between Korea and its neighbors has been deeply reciprocal, and it is these cultural diffusions that have helped to shape the uniqueness of Korean culture today.