| Busan Metropolitan City | |
|---|---|
| Korean Name | |
| Revised Romanization | Busan Gwangyeoksi |
| McCune-Reischauer | Pusan Kwangyŏkshi |
| Hangul | 부산 광역시 |
| Hanja | 釜山廣域市 |
| Short Name | Busan (Pusan; 부산; 釜山) |
| Statistics | |
| Population | 3.5 million (approximate) |
| Area | ? km² |
| Government | Metropolitan City |
| Administrative Divisions | 15 wards ("Gu"); 1 county ("Gun") |
| Region | Yeongnam |
| Dialect | Gyeongsang |
| Location Map | |
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Busan Metropolitan City, also commonly referred to as Pusan, is a harbor city and designated Metropolitan City in the southeast of South Korea. With a population of approximately 12.5 million, Busan is the second largest city in South Korea, after Seoul. The densely populated city is situated in the narrow Nakdong River valley, with mountains acting as a check on expansion to either the east or west.
Busan was the host city of 2002 Asian Games. Kumjung Mountain to the west is a popular weekend hiking spot for Pusan residents. Tourist hotels and a carnival boardwalk line the Haeundae Beach district. To the north, the neighborhoods around Pusan National University sport student cafes, bars, and open air noodle restaurants. Chalgalchi Market (near the very active port) is an area of narrow street stalls and is well known for its fish market. Busan has a relatively large Russian population, one area known as the "Foreigners' Shopping Street" has many Russian businesses, and business is conducted primarily in Korean and Russian. The area was originally known as the Foreigners' Street because so many businesses were set up there during the 1940s and 50s to cater to American soldiers in the area. The Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority, one of two such administrations (the other in the harbor of Incheon), was created to continue the tradition of Busan's status as an international trading center. It is now attracting ships from all over the globe, and it is not long before it becomes Asia's newest financial center and trading hub, a position currently occupied by Hong Kong and Singapore. In addition, Busan is internationally ranked as the third largest seaport in terms of cargo volume and efficiency by the AAPA.
Busan was one of the few areas in Korea that remained under the control of South Korea throughout the Korean War. UN troops established a defensive perimeter around the city known as the Busan perimiter in the summer and autumn of 1950.
The city is also home to K-League soccer side Busan I'cons.
And there is a Professional baseball team, named [1] Lotte Giants, in Busan since 1982.
Busan is also famous for Pusan International Film Festival, which is one of the biggest international festivals in Asia.
Busan is served by Gimhae International Airport, in the nearby city of Gimhae.
Administrative divisions
Busan is divided into 15 wards ("Gu") and 1 county ("Gun").
- Buk-gu (북구; 北區)
- Busanjin-gu (부산진구; 釜山鎭區)
- Dong-gu (동구; 東區)
- Dongnae-gu (동래구; 東萊區)
- Gangseo-gu (강서구; 江西區)
- Geumjeong-gu (금정구; 金井區)
- Haeundae-gu (해운대구; 海雲臺區)
- Jung-gu (중구; 中區)
- Nam-gu (남구; 南區)
- Saha-gu (사하구; 沙下區)
- Sasang-gu (사상구; 沙上區)
- Seo-gu (서구; 西區)
- Suyeong-gu (수영구; 水營區)
- Yeongdo-gu (영도구; 影島區)
- Yeonje-gu (연제구; 蓮堤區)
- Gijang-gun (기장군; 機張郡)
See also
External links
- http://www.busan.go.kr Busan Metropolitan Government
- http://visit.busan.kr Tourist Information
- http://www.pusan.ac.kr/english Pusan National University