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Seoul metropolitan area

Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience

A beautiful night view of Seoul's skyline with bright city lights and a clear sky.

The Seoul metropolitan area, also known as Sudogwon or the Gyeonggi region, is a large and important area in north-western South Korea. It includes the cities of Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province. With a population of about 26 million people as of 2024, it is one of the biggest cities in the world, ranking as the fourth-largest metropolitan area.

Spanning around 12,685 km² (4,898 sq mi), the Seoul metropolitan area is the heart of South Korea. It is the country's main center for culture, business, money matters, industry, and homes. The biggest city in this area is Seoul, which has about 10 million people. Next is Incheon, home to around three million people. This area plays a very important role in the life of South Korea.

Geography and climate

See also: Geography of South Korea

Satellite image of Seoul and greater area (2020)

The big city area sits on a flat land in the valley of the Han River.

History

See also: History of South Korea and History of Seoul

The Seoul metropolitan area is a large and busy place where many people live and work. It includes the city of Seoul, the city of Incheon, and the area around them called Gyeonggi Province. This area has been important for a long time and has grown to become one of the biggest places where people live in the whole world.

Demographics

See also: Demographics of South Korea

The Seoul Metropolitan Area covers only about 12% of South Korea's land but is home to more than half of the country's people. It is one of the world's largest urban areas. Since the middle of the last century, more and more people have been moving to this area, and this trend continues today. In 2020, over 25 million people lived in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, making up more than half of South Korea's total population.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
19494,171,614—    
19605,194,167+24.5%
19708,730,148+68.1%
198013,298,241+52.3%
199018,586,128+39.8%
200021,354,490+14.9%
201023,836,272+11.6%
202026,043,325+9.3%
Source:

Economy

See also: Economy of South Korea and Category:Companies based in Seoul

Industrial Clusters in Seoul Metropolitan Area

In 2023, the Seoul Metropolitan Area produced about half of South Korea's total economy, worth around US$ 1.0 trillion. It ranks as the fourth-largest urban economy in the world, after Tokyo, New York, and Los Angeles. Many big companies have their main offices here.

The area includes some of the richest neighborhoods and homes in Korea, though prices vary a lot. Newer areas with modern homes and better facilities are usually more expensive, especially close to Gangnam District, the main business center.

SubdivisionArea (km2)PopulationGDP (KRW, trillion)GDP (US$, billion)
Seoul6059,586,195575.035421.586
Incheon1,0632,945,454125.59292.078
Gyeonggi Province10,18413,511,676651.417477.586
Seoul Metropolitan Area11,85226,043,3251,352.044991.249

Government

See also: Government of South Korea

Different groups work together to help manage problems in the area around Seoul. Ideas to combine some cities into bigger ones have not been put into action yet.

Rules for building and growing in this area follow the Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act. This law was created in 1982 and updated in 1996 to guide how the place can develop.

Subdivisions

See also: Administrative divisions of South Korea

The Seoul Metropolitan Area includes the special city of Seoul, the metropolitan city of Incheon, and the province of Gyeonggi. Seoul has 25 local government areas called gu. Incheon has 8 gu and 2 counties. Gyeonggi Province has 28 cities and 3 counties.

Seoul

Main article: List of districts of Seoul

Further information: Seoul

Seoul has 25 districts, known as gu.

Incheon

Main article: List of districts and counties of Incheon

Further information: Incheon

Incheon has eight districts called gu and two counties.

Bundang, Seongnam

Gyeonggi-do

Main article: List of cities and counties of Gyeonggi Province

Gyeonggi-do has twenty-eight cities and three counties. Here are seven of the largest cities:

Suwon

Further information: Suwon

Suwon has four gu.

Goyang

Further information: Goyang

Goyang has three gu.

Yongin

Further information: Yongin

Yongin has three gu.

Anyang, Gyeonggi Province

Seongnam

Further information: Seongnam

Seongnam has three gu.

Bucheon

Further information: Bucheon

Ansan

Further information: Ansan

Ansan has two gu.

Anyang

Further information: Anyang, Gyeonggi

Anyang has two gu.

The remaining cities and counties in Gyeonggi-do include:

Transportation

See also: Transport in South Korea and Transportation in Seoul

The cities in this area are well connected by roads and trains. Many important railroad lines, like the Gyeongbu Line, end in this region. The Seoul Metropolitan Subway offers fast travel with lines that cover all parts of Seoul, the city of Incheon, and other nearby cities in Gyeonggi Province.

This area is also a key place for travel by plane and boat. The country's two biggest airports, Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport, are located here. International and domestic ferries leave from Incheon's ferry terminals several times a day.

The Seoul Ring Expressway (Expressway No. 100) links cities around Seoul.

Incheon International Airport

Seoul Metropolitan subway, Line 3

Map of Seoul Ring Expressway

Images

A modern Seoul Metro train, part of the 3000 series, showcasing its sleek orange and silver design.

Related articles

Incheon
Metropolitan area
South Korea
Korea

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Seoul metropolitan area, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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