Nature
location and Area The DPR Korea is located in the middle of east of Asian Continent. It shares borders with China and Russia in the north with Rivers Amnok and Tuman in between. And it lies opposite Japan in the east with the East Sea of Korea in between. It lies in latitude 43°00'36"-33°06'43" and in longitude 124° 10'47"-131°52'40".
The Korean peninsuIa has an area of 223 370knl. The northern half covers an area of 123 138knl and the southern half 100 232knl.

Topography
It is composed of varieties of mountains and rivers and is surrounded by se as on three sides. Therefore, the lay of the land is weil developed with mountains, valleys and
coasts. Mountains cover 79  5 percent of the territory, assuming the largest proportion of its geographical features. The highest one is Mt. Paektu (2 750 m). Most of the high mountains rise on the north and east whereas low plains stretch along the coastline in the west and south. Thus the terrain is higher in the north and south and becomes low in the west and south.

Climate
The climate of the country is distinctive with four seasons. It is mild and rich in precipitation; thus providing favourable conditions in living and producing. The average annual temperature is 8-12 °C. Thc temperature of the coldest January ranges from -5oe to -10 oe in average while that of the hottest August from 23 oe to 27°e in average. As the average annual precipitation is around 1 000-1 200 mm, it outmeasures the global land precipitation. It is blessed with 2 280-2 780 hours of sunlight
annually, recording more hours than the other countries lying on the same latitude. Dry season is from April to June and rainy season July and August.

Rivers and lakes
The density of the watercourses of the country is high in the world. It has many rivers, lakes and springs which give abundant resources of water. And the water quality is vcry good. Most of them are medium or small rivers except six largest rivers like Rivers Amnok, Tuman, Taedong, Han, Rakdong and Kum.
lt has also varieties of lakes. Natural lakes are composed of volcanic lakes, lagoons, oxbows and etc. The typical natural lakes are Lake Samji, Lagoon Samil, Lake Sijung, Lagoon Man and Lake Tongjong including Lake Chon of Mt. Paektu. The artificial lakes were mostly formed whcn the irrigation projects wc re conducted and hydropower plants we re built. It numbers over 1 000. The big reservoirs are more than 100 including Yonphung, Thaesong, Manphung, Jangsu, Unpha, Sohung, Suphung, Jangjagang and etc.

Seas
Korean peninsuia is surrounded by the East Sea of Korea, the West Sea of Korea and the South Sea of Korea. Seas cover an area of 2 229 300knl. The coastline stretches 16 532.6 km long. The area of the East Sea is 970 500knl, that of West Sea 436 100knl and that of South Sea 822 700knl. Continental shelves account for about 50 percent of the whole area. The wholc of West and South Seas consist of continental shelves.
It has many islands and islets with deep indented coastlines, forming peninsulas, capes and bays.

Fauna and Flora
Varieties of animals and plants live in the mountains, plains, rivers, lakes and seas of Korea, which add charms to the nature.As it belongs to one of the rich regions in the world with
varieties of species of animaIs, Korea has 97 species of beasts,394 species of birds, 27 species of reptiles, 14 species of amphibians and 850 species of fish. Plants also have abundant species for its territorial size and its
location of phytoclimate. The higher plants are 4 300 species,lower plants 5 300 species by research up to now. There are roughly 100 species of timber trees, 100 species of fibre plants,
900 species of medicinal plants, 50 species of oil-bearing trees, 60 species of aromatic plants, 300 species of edible herbs, 160
species of feed plants, 170 species of bee plants and 300 species
of garden plants.

Spas and Springs
Korean peninsuia is rich in spas and springs for its area. 156 mineral springs (100 springs and 56 spas)weU up in the DPR KoreaFamous sp as are Kyongsong, Onpho, Ryonggang, Yangdok,
Oegumgang, Sinchon, Unsan, Talchon, Songhwa, Ongjin, Paechon, Kilju and so on. The hottest spa is Ongjin Spa (103-104 0c)
whereas Sokthang Spa has the richest yield (5 OOOm' per day). Famous springs are Sambang, Changsong, Kangso, Okhodong, Kwangmyong, Chimgyo, Taedong, Oknyu and so on. Most of
8 the springs are sodium calcium bicarbonate springs (Kangso and Kwangmyong) and aluminium sulphate iron springs (Kobangsan and Songhak) that include much free carbon dioxide.
More than 40 sites of peloid including mud of Lake Sijung are in the country.

Underground Resources
The peninsuia is abundant in underground resources. Therefore, it has been called as a "specimen gallery of valuable minerais". The minerals are known more than 300 kinds and over 200 varieties of minerals are of industrial value. It is also endowed with large deposits of minerais. Lie underground are ferrous metals including magnetic iron and limonite, nonferrous metals including gold, silver, white gold, natrium, aluminium, magnesium, copper, nickel,
lead and zinco It is also rich deposited of aphatite, alunite, potassic feldspar, virgin sulfur, pyrite, plaster, magnesite, tale, kaolin, diamond, ruby, sapphire, limestone, dolomite, granite, basalt and resources for fertilizers, chemicais, fireproof materiais, ceramics, electronic industry, insulating materials and building materiais.
Lignite, soft and hard coals of thermal value have been buried inexhaustibly underground. These resources have been fully used for the development of economy and improvement of people's livelihood.


HISTORY

The Birth and Development of Human Beings
From the first period of mankind the Korean nation has continuously Iived on this land.
They developed into an "old type of Korean man" and modern Korean man through primitive, Palaelolithic, Neolithic Men in the course of evolution process. The 'primitive remains excavated in Korea such as Komunmoru Remains in Sangwon County, Pyongyang, Taehyon-dong Remains in Ryokpho District, Pyongyang and Sungrisan Remains in Tokchon City, South Phyongan Province mean the primitive man (Komunmoru Remains) developed into a Palaeolithic Man ("Ryokpho Man") and Neolithic Man ("Sungrisan Man"). Especially Pyongyang area is endowed with remains and relics representing different periods of primitive ~ociety including the fossils of mankind showing the successive stage of evolution. These prove that Korean people originated and developed around Pyongyang. They produced wealth through the creative activities to reform the nature and society and advanced the society step by step via the period of primitive community, matriarchal clan society, consanguinean clan society to a class society.

Ancient Kingdoms

Kojoson (Ancient Korea)
Kojoson is the first slave-owning state in the Korean history. Tangun, founder of the state established it early in the 30th century Be. It existed till 108 Be in vast areas of Northeast Asia around Pyongyang. The capital was Pyongyang. Kojoson was the powerful kingdom wide-known to neighbouring countries with its integral ruling system and developed economy. It had a statute "8 Provisions of Violating of Bans", three provisions of which have been transmitted up to now. Developed from early period of its establishment were agriculture (rice, foxtail millet, barley, lndian millet, bean and etc.), stock-farming, handicraft (especially the pipha-shaped dagger, narrow brass dagger, bronze mirror with small striped patterns and etc.) and foreign trade. They used ironware before the 12th century BC, and further produced and used carbon tooi steel through dry metallurgical process by the 7th century BC.

Puyo
Puyo was one of the duchies of Ancient Korea, but in the 15th century or so it became free from Ancient Korea. lts capital was Yesong (Jilin region today).Agriculture (Indian millet, foxtail millet, bean, millet and barley), stock-farming and handicraft (pipha-shaped dagger, narrow brass dagger and etc.) were developed in the country. By the spread of iron extracting technology around the 5th century BC, iron culture was developed. However, the socio-class contradiction became acute from the 3rd century BC and the national power was on the decline, thus it was ruined in 219 BC by Koguryo, newly emerged powerful kingdom.



Kuryo
Kuryo was one of the duchies of Ancient Korea, but became free around the mid-15th century. lts capital was Jolbon (Hwanin area, Liaoning, China today) Developed in the country were agriculture and handicraft (especially bronze ware and ironware) At the early 3rd century BC Ko Ju Mong seized Kwarubu, one of the five administrative districts and established Koguryo, thus the country was ruined

Jinguk
Jinguk was one of the ancient states existed in the southern part. It is separated from Ancient Korea and became an independent slave-owning kingdom before the 12th century BC. Its capital was Woljiguk (Jiksan region, South Chungchong Province today) and later moved to Kumma (Iksan region, South Jolla Province today). Developed in Jinguk were agriculture (rice, wheat, barley, bean, foxtail millet), handieraft (especially ironware, bronze ware and silk), commerce, foreign trade and so on. Jinguk people who created developed economy and culture sailed across the Japanese archipelago to disseminate the advanced culture and made a great contribution to the development of Japan's ancientculture.It began to collapse early in the 3rd century BC and minor countries like Paekje Minor State in Mahan region, Saro Minor State in Jinhan region and Kaya Feudal State in Pyonhan region. But later early in the first century the minor countries were incorporated with Pakeje, thus it brought ruin of Jinguk.

Feudal States

Koguryo
Koguryo was the first feudal state founded by King Tongmyong (Ko Ju Mong) in 277 BC. lts first capital was Jolbon but later moved to Jian, China and Pyongyang in 427.Koguryo was the most powerful state in the Korean history. It had developed economy and culture which was in the van of the three kingdoms and played the key role.lts science and culture were considerably developed, in particular, astronomy and fine arts including drawing, handieraft and sculpture. It had its independent astronomical chart at the end of 5th century to the early 6th century and mural paintings in the underground preserve their vivid colours and the art of drawing. It prospered for nearly a millennium and was ruined in 668.Paekje As one of the feudal states established at the end of the first century BC among the minor countries in Paekje area with the acceleration of feudalization. The capital was Hansong (Kwangju, Kyonggi Province today), but moved to Ungjin (Kongju, South Chungchong Province today) and Sabi (Puyo, South Chungchong Province today) in 538.Pakje had developed agriculture (rice, barley, bean and etc), handieraft (metallurgy and metal processing) transport and foreign trade. The metal processed goods including gold crown, gold earrings, gold bracelets and the "Sword of Paekje with 3 blades at each side" show metal processing of it were in high level. Science of several fields like astronomy, geography and medical science were also developed as weil as literature and fine art.lts science and technology gave a considerable influence to Japan. lts technologists helped building of varieties of temples including the Temple of Four Devas, Horyuji Tempie, Pophung Tempie, Popgi Temple and Paekje Tempie.It was ruined in the mid-7th century by Silla conspired with Tang dynasty.

Silla
Silla existed from early or mid-first century BC to 935. lts capital was Kyongju. Silla existed in the period of Three Kingdoms were called Former Silla (Early or mid-first centurymid-7th century) and Silla appeared later called as Later Silla (mid-7thcentury-935). It had developed agriculture and handicraft. Especially it was in high level of gold and silver work. For example, the wellknown gold crown excavated from the Silla Tomb of gold crown proves the fact. Casting technique was also developed. The Buddhist Saint of Hwangnyong Temple was cast in copper (more than 210 000 kg) and plated with gold at one heat in 574. Meteorology, astronomy, architecture and other science and technology were also developed. Astronomical observatory built in the first half of 7th century in Kyongju has been world-famous and a long-lasting precious cultural legacy of the nation among the remaining observatory remains. 9-story pagoda of Hwangnyong Tempie, Tabo Pagoda of Bulguk Temple and Shakyamuni ~agoda are evidencing the developments of architectural technique during the Silla dynasty. A peasant war was swept over the nation at the end of 9th century. In this turmoil, the schemers established Later Paekje and Thaebong State. Thus, three kingdoms existed in Later Silla. This period is called the period of Later Three Kingdoms in the Korean history.King Kyongsun, last king of Later Silla personally went to Koryo with the royal family to surrender to it, and this led to the downfall of Silla.

Palhae
Palhae inherited Koguryo. lt has existed from 698 to 926. It took a vast land and enjoyed a state power, and it developed the economy and culture while displaying the wisdom and dignity of the nation. lts capital was Tongmosan (Wudongcheng in Dunha).
Agriculture (foxtail millet, barley, bean and sorghum), hunting, livestock husbandry, fishing, handieraft (hemp, si Ik and porcelain), commerce and foreign trade were developed. Palhae which inherited the culture of preceded Koguryo developedmathematics, astronomy, calendar science and other sciences. It can be proved from the fact that 0 Hyo Sin, scholar of Palhae went over to Japan in 859 to deliver an astronomical calendar called Sonmyongryok and taught how to use.It ended its existence in 926 due to the aggression by the Kitan who took an advantage of the weak state power caused by the internal conflicts and corruption within the rulers from the beginning of the 10th century.


Koryo
Koryo was a feudal state which existed from 918 to 1392, founded by Wanggon. lts capital was Kaesong. As soon as Palhae was collapsed, Koryo inherited a unified policy of Koguryo, winning the ruined people over to its side. On the other hand, it has merged Later Silla in 935 and Later Paekje in 936, th us it achieved its cause to unify the land. So there appeared the first unified state in the Korean history. lts culture ,was much more superior compared with other cultures. People in Koryo advanced publishing by inventing metallic types. lts fame was displayed with the Koryo Ceiadon treasured by the world people for its peculiar col or, pattern and shape, shipbuilding and invention of gunpowder and its weapons. Koryo with developed economy, culture, science and technology has been come down as Corea. Koryo saw its end in 1392 by Ri Song Gye and his followers who, with an ambition for power, staged a coup d'etat to overthrow the king.

Ri Dynasty
Ri dynasty ruled Korea from 1392 to 1910. It was the last feudal state in the Korean peninsuia.
Korea was known as Joson by then. However, to differentiate it from either the Kojoson or modern Korea, it is commonly referred to as Ri dynasty or Korea under Ri's rule--named after the royal family.
Korean people, during the Ri dynasty, made their country known all over the world by inventing rain gauge made of iron, creating Hunminjongum, the Korean alphabet and building Kobukson, the world-first armored battleship and thus greatly contributed to the development of science and technology of the
mankind. The Japanese imperialists colonized Korea by cooking up the unlawful "Five Point Korea-Japan Treaty" in November 1905, and subsequently fabricated the "Korea-Japan Annexation Treaty" in 1910. Koreans were thus deprived of their country.