As far as tourism is concerned, the nation of South Korea is still unknown amongst many travelers, That’s what makes a trip here so special. The country is full of mysteries and magic that together offer a wholesome experience to travelers from across the globe. South Korea has everything; be it nature, history, food, pilgrimage, culture or adventure, the country has it all. Now, if this small description, has somewhere ignited your curiosity to know more about this beautiful country, then worry not. I have meticulously curated a list of some interesting facts about South Korea.
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Interesting facts about South Korea
First, let’s start with some interesting facts and things to know about South Korea.
- The literacy rate in South Korea is more than 95%.
- One of the most interesting South Korea history facts tells that the country was founded in the year 1945. Before that, it was part of Japan.
- As of 2017, the population of South Korea was more than 51 million and stands on 27th place on the list of countries with the highest population.
- South Korea is one of the biggest economies in the world. It has $1.4 trillion GDP, which is the 11th largest in the world.
- Christianity (27%) is the most followed religion in South Korea followed by Buddhism (15%). A number of people also practice Confucianism
- Hibiscus syriacus is the national flower of South Korea. Taegeuk (yin yang symbol) is the national symbol. Siberian tiger is the national animal. Whereas, red, blue, white, and black are the national colors of South Korea.
- Seoul, also known as the capital city of South Korea, is the most populated city with over 10 million inhabitants.
** If you are planning a trip to South Korea make sure you check out our Seoul Itinerary 7 Days .**
General facts about South Korea
Not just this, there are more other general interesting facts about South Korea.
- South Korea is often touted as the breakdancing capital of the world. You can see live entertainment everywhere but especially in Hongdae and Insadong In the past, the country has given the world’s best breakdancers to this world.
- One of the most highly-developed nations in the world, South Korea is not just known to sell the world’s best skin care products and food., But, the country is also known as the most famous country for surgical enhancement, i.e., cosmetic surgery.
- Talking about cosmetic surgery, as per 2015 survey by Gallup Korea, one in every three women between the ages of 19 and 29 to have gone under the cosmetic surgery.
- The entertainment industry in South Korea is one of the fastest-growing film industries in the world.
- For tech buffs, South Korea is heaven. From internet speed to technology, everything in the country is on-point.
- Men in South Korea are way ahead of the rest of the world. At least 20% of men in South Korea use makeup.
- Koreans drink twice as much as Russians. One of the biggest party areas is Hongdae. I think drinking all night is apart of their culture.
- In Korea, newborn babies are considered as one-year-old upon birth.
- One of the South Korea weird facts – if you see a Korean name written in the red link, it indicates a person’s health.
- Another interesting fact about Korea is that more than 50% of Korean vocabulary derives from the Chinese language.
** If you are planning a trip to South Korea make sure you check out our Seoul Itinerary 7 Days .**
More South Korea interesting facts
Now, let’s have a look at some other South Korea interesting facts that will make you fall in love with this country.
- One of the most important South Korean tourism facts says that it is home to more than 3000 islands. Amongst all, Jeju island is the largest island.
- Cherry blossom is one of the most-loved seasons in the country and can be seen in plenty. One of our favorite places is near Insadong.
- 70% of South Korea is dotted with mountain landscapes. The highest mountain in the country is Hallasan which stands at an imposing height of 1950 m.
- You would be amazed to know, but the average delay of the metro in South Korea is just a few seconds.
- The country is also home to one of the world’s best airports. For the 13 consecutive years, Incheon International Airport has been awarded the best airport in the world by the Airport Council International.
- While in South Korea, you can enjoy the fastest internet in the world, literally.
- The national dish of the country is Kimchi. The interesting thing about this delicacy is that it is available in more than 250 different types, you can find most of them as side dishes at all the unique places to eat. It includes cabbage and vegetables.
**Don’t miss the top things to do in Hongdae and Myeongdong, two of the best places in Seoul with incredible food.**
- There is a unique fact about South Korea, which says that there is a public holiday in the country on the 14th of every month.
- Not many know South Korea has an erotic theme park. Yes, there is a sex-themed park on Jeju Island which has a number of phallus statues along with sculptures on humans in flagrant.
- From shrines and tombs to royal palaces to Hanok villages, there are a total of 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Korea. An interesting South Korean cultural fact is that out of all 14, 13 sites belong to the category of culture.
- Such is the fitness level of people in South Korea that only 3% of the entire population is overweight.
- Next is the South Korea food fact which says that the food of the country is one of the best in the world. Kimchi is one of the most-loved Korean delicacies in the world most Koreans eat it with every meal even late at night.
So, these were some of the most interesting and fun facts about South Korea that one should be aware of before visiting this enticing country. Hope you liked it!
Also, for your South Korea trip, you can consider our recommended travel essentials that we always carry with us on every single trip. These travel essentials always ensure to plan an indelible, incredible, and a hassle-free tour to any destination in the world. Besides, you can also check out the blog section for such amazing and interesting travel posts.
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