Annyeong-haseyo! Welcome to the Land of the Morning Calm—South Korea, a dynamic nation on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula that seamlessly blends ancient palaces with futuristic skyscrapers. There are around 52 million people living here, and the capital is Seoul, a massive, 24-hour metropolis where historic hanok villages sit in the shadow of high-tech giant Lotte World Tower. The official language is Korean, featuring Hangul, an alphabet often praised by linguists for its logical and scientific design.

South Korea covers about 100,210 square kilometers (38,691 square miles). That’s roughly the same size as the state of Indiana in the U.S., or about the same size as Iceland. Despite its relatively small land area, it is incredibly mountainous, with about 70% of the terrain covered by hills and peaks.

The most popular sports are Baseball, Football, and Taekwondo, which originated here and is the national martial art. In recent years, the country has also become the global capital of Esports. Their national animal is the Siberian Tiger, a legendary figure in Korean folklore representing strength and protection.

The flag consists of a white field with a red and blue Yin-Yang symbol in the center surrounded by four black trigrams, where the white represents peace and purity, the central circle symbolizes the balance of the universe, and the trigrams represent the elements of sky, fire, water, and earth.

The food is famous worldwide for its bold flavors and focus on fermentation. You must try Kimchi, spicy fermented cabbage that accompanies almost every meal. Another favorite is Korean BBQ (Gogi-gu-i), where you grill meats like Bulgogi or Samgyeopsal right at your table. For a quick and colorful meal, try Bibimbap, a bowl of rice topped with vegetables, meat, and a spicy chili paste. To wash it down, many locals enjoy Soju or Makgeolli (rice wine).

South Korea is home to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the Five Grand Palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty. The country features Jeju Island, a volcanic wonder off the southern coast known for its “haenyeo” (female divers) and the world’s longest lava tube system. You can visit the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), the heavily fortified border with North Korea, which offers a sobering and unique look at modern history. For a mix of old and new, explore the Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul. Interestingly, South Korea has some of the fastest internet speeds in the world and is the birthplace of the global K-Pop and K-Drama phenomena!

From the serene temples of Gyeongju to the neon-lit streets of Gangnam, South Korea is a land of incredible energy and deep tradition. Gamsahabnida! That means “Thank you!”