Teach Me Something Tuesday: The City of Seoul

Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea. It has a population of over 10 million and is the 2nd largest city in the world. The Seoul National Capital Area is the world's second largest metropolitan area with over 24.5 million inhabitants, which includes the Incheon metropolis and most of Gyeonggi province. Almost half of South Korea's population live in the Seoul National capital area, and nearly a quarter in Seoul itself, making it the country's foremost economic, political, and cultural center. Seoul has been a major settlement for over 2,000 years, with its foundation dating back to 18 B. C. when Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, established its capital in what is now south-east Seoul. It continued as the capital of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire.

The Seoul National Capital Area is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Changdeokgung, Hwaseong, Fortress, Jongmyo Shrine and the Royal Tombs of Joseon Dynasty. Today, Seoul is considered to be a leading global city, ranking among the top ten global cities in the Global Cities Index of 2010.

It is one of the world's top ten financial and commercial centers, home to major multinational conglomerates such as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai-Kia. In 2008, Seoul was named the world's sixth most economically powerful city by Forbes. Seoul has a highly technologically advanced infrastructure. It's Digital Media City is the world's first complex for IT and multimedia applications. Seoul was the first city to feature DMB, a digital mobile TV technology and WiBro, a wireless high-speed mobile internet service. It has a fast, high-penetration 100 Mbps fibre-optic broadband network, which is being upgraded to 1Gbps by 2012.

Seoul Station houses the 350 km/h KTX bullet train and the Seoul Subway is the third largest in the world, with over 200 million passengers every year. Seoul is connected via AREX to Incheon International Airport, rated as the best airport in the world by Airports Council International. Seoul also hosted the 1988 Olympics, 2002 FIFA World Cup, and the 2010 G-20 Seoul Summit. The city was named the World Design Capital for 2010 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design.

The largest market in South Korea, the Dongdaemun Market is located in Seoul. Myeongdong is a shopping and entertainment area in downtown Seoul with mid-to high-end stores, fashion boutiques and international brand outlets. The nearby Namdaemun Market, named after the Namdaemun Gate, is the oldest continually running market in Seoul. Sinchon is a shopping area that caters mainly to a younger and university student crowd.

Insadong, is the cultural art market of Seoul, where traditional and modern Korean artworks, such as paintings, sculptures, and calligraphy are sold. Hwanghak-dong Flea Market and Janganpyeong Antique Market also offer antique products. Some shops for local designers have opened in Samcheong-dong, where numerous small art galleries are located. Itaewon caters mainly to foreign tourists and American soldiers based in the city. The Gangnam district is one of the most affluent areas in Seoul and is noted for the fashionable and upscale Apgujeong-dong and Cheongdam-dong areas and the COEX Mall. Wholesale markets include Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market and Garak Market. The Yongsan Electronics Market is the largest electronics market in Asia. The Gas Digital Complex also has an extensive variety of electronic products.

Needless to say, Eric and I area absolutely thrilled about going to Seoul and experiencing for ourselves this amazing city! Just hope we don't get lost! (: