South Jeolla Province

South Jeolla Province (Korean전라남도; Hanja全羅南道; Jeollanam-do), also known as Jeonnam (Korean전남; Hanja全南), is a province in the Honam region, South Korea, and the southernmost province in mainland Korea. South Jeolla borders the provinces of North Jeolla to the north, South Gyeongsang to the northeast, and Jeju to the southwest in the Korea Strait.

South Jeolla Province
전라남도
Korean transcription(s)
 • Hangul전라남도
 • Hanja
 • McCune‑ReischauerChŏllanam-do
 • Revised RomanizationJeollanam-do
Flag of South Jeolla Province
Official logo of South Jeolla Province
Location of South Jeolla Province
Coordinates: 34°45′N 127°0′E / 34.750°N 127.000°E / 34.750; 127.000
CountrySouth Korea
RegionHonam
Largest citySuncheon
CapitalMuan County
Subdivisions5 cities; 17 counties
Government
 • GovernorKim Yung-rok (D)
Area
 • Total12,335.13 km2 (4,762.62 sq mi)
 • Rank3rd
Population
 (October, 2014)
 • Total1,817,697
 • Rank6th
 • Density147.36/km2 (381.7/sq mi)
Provincial symbols
 • FlowerCamellia japonica
 • TreeGinkgo
 • BirdOriental turtle dove
GDP
 • TotalKR₩ 91 trillion
US$ 73 billion (2022)
ISO 3166 codeKR-46
DialectJeolla
WebsiteOfficial website (English)

Suncheon is the largest city in the province, closely followed by Yeosu. Other major cities include Mokpo, Gwangyang and Naju.

History

South Cholla was established in 1896 from the province of Cholla, one of the Eight Provinces of Korea, consisting of the southern half of its mainland territory and most outlying islands.

During the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945, South Cholla was known as South Zenra, with its provincial capital at Kōshū (now Gwangju). In addition, Cheju Island (now Jeju Island) was part of South Cholla until August 1, 1946.

Kwangju (now Gwangju) was part of South Cholla until 1986 (when it became a Metropolitan City) and the capital until 2005, when the provincial government relocated from Gwangju to Muan County to the planned town of Namak.

Geography

The province is part of the Honam region, and is bounded on the west by the Yellow Sea, on the north by Jeollabuk-do Province, on the south by Jeju Strait, and on the east by Gyeongsangnam-do.

There are almost 2,000 islands along the coastline, about three quarters of which are uninhabited. The coastline is about 6,100 kilometres (3,800 mi) long. Some of the marine products, in particular oyster and seaweed cultivation, are leading in South Korea.

The province is only partially mountainous. The plains along the rivers Seomjin, Yeongsan and Tamjin are suitable for large-scale grain agriculture. There is abundant rainfall in the area, which helps agriculture. The province is also home to the warmest weather on the peninsula. This helps to produce large amounts of agricultural produce, mainly rice, wheat, barley, pulses and potatoes. Vegetables, cotton and fruits are also grown in the province.

A small amount of gold and coal is mined in the province, but industries have also been developed in the area.

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1980 2,923,191—    
1990 2,507,439−1.52%
2000 1,996,456−2.25%
2010 1,741,499−1.36%
2015 1,799,044+0.65%
2020 1,788,807−0.11%
Source: Citypopulation[2]

Administrative divisions

Jeollanam-do is divided into 5 cities (si) and 17 counties (gun). Listed below is the name of each entity in English, hangul, and hanja.

Yeosu
MapNameHangulHanjaPopulation (2021)[3]Area
(km2)
Population density
2021 (per km2)
Subdivisions

Yeosu여수시麗水市268,687510.08 km2526.75/km21 eup, 6 myeon, 20 haengjeong-dong

Mokpo목포시木浦市221,17851.58 km24,288.06/km223 haengjeong-dong

Suncheon순천시順天市273,827907.43 km2301.76/km21 eup, 10 myeon, 13 haengjeong-dong

Gwangyang광양시光陽市144,226458.89 km2314.29/km21 eup, 6 myeon, 5 haengjeong-dong

Naju나주시羅州市115,138608.45 km2189.23/km21 eup, 12 myeon, 7 haengjeong-dong

Muan County무안군務安郡90,094448.95 km2200.68/km23 eup, 6 myeon

Haenam County해남군海南郡63,2421,013.8 km262.38/km21 eup, 13 myeon

Goheung County고흥군高興郡58,873807.23 km272.93/km22 eup, 14 myeon

Hwasun County화순군和順郡60,136786.9 km276.42/km21 eup, 12 myeon

Yeongam County영암군靈巖郡55,998604.24 km292.68/km22 eup, 9 myeon

Yeonggwang County영광군靈光郡48,981473.69 km2103.40/km23 eup, 8 myeon

Wando County완도군莞島郡47,210396.13 km2119.18/km23 eup, 9 myeon

Damyang County담양군潭陽郡44,034455.12 km296.75/km21 eup, 11 myeon

Boseong County보성군寶城郡36,981663.35 km255.75/km22 eup, 10 myeon

Jangseong County장성군長城郡40,604518.65 km278.29/km21 eup, 10 myeon

Jangheung County장흥군長興郡34,268618.2 km255.43/km23 eup, 7 myeon

Gangjin County강진군康津郡31,941500.28 km263.85/km21 eup, 10 myeon

Sinan County신안군新安郡34,000663.59 km251.24/km22 eup, 12 myeon

Hampyeong County함평군咸平郡29,369392.43 km274.84/km21 eup, 8 myeon

Jindo County진도군珍島郡29,013440.1 km265.92/km21 eup, 6 myeon

Gokseong County곡성군谷城郡26,781547.44 km248.92/km21 eup, 10 myeon

Gurye County구례군求禮郡23,543443.2 km253.12/km21 eup, 7 myeon

Sister cities and provinces

Religion

Religion in South Jeolla (2005)[6]

  Not religious (53.4%)
  Protestantism (21.8%)
  Buddhism (16.1%)
  Catholicism (8.7%)

According to the census of 2005, of the people of South Jeolla 30.5% follow Christianity (21.8% Protestantism and 8.7% Catholicism) and 16.1% follow Buddhism.[6] 53.4% of the population is mostly not religious or follow Muism and other indigenous religions.

Education

National universities with graduate schools

Private universities with graduate schools

Public institutes of higher education

Private institutes of higher education

List of governors of South Jeolla Province

  • 31st: Heo Kyung-man (July 1, 1995 – July 1, 1998) – 1st term
  • 32nd: Heo Kyung-man (July 1, 1998 – July 1, 2002) – 2nd term
  • 33rd: Park Tae-young (July 1, 2002 – April 29, 2004) – 1st term
  • 34th: Park Jun-young (June 6, 2004 – July 1, 2006) – 1st term
  • 35th: Park Jun-young (July 1, 2006 – July 1, 2010) – 2nd term
  • 36th: Park Jun-young (July 1, 2010 – July 1, 2014) – 3rd term
  • 37th: Lee Nak-yeon (July 1, 2014 – May 12, 2018)
  • 38th: Kim Yung-rok (July 1, 2018 – )

Tourism

Nagan Eupseong Folk Village in Suncheon

References

Sources

External links