Korea was one of the earliest of the present day nations of the world to emerge and remain clearly on the map of history. By the end of the seventh century it was essentially the same country it is today, in population, underlying culture, language, and general geographical extent.
The Korean language is classified within the Altaic language family although they note conflicting views on this matter.
Koreans use their own unique alphabet called Hangeul. It is considered to be one of the most efficient alphabets in the world and has garnered unanimous praise from language experts for its scientific design and excellence.
One of the best known artefacts of Koreas history of science and technology is Cheomseongdae, a 9 meter high observatory built in 634. It is considered to be one of the world's oldest surviving astronomical observatories.
Life in Korea presents travel information for over 350 destinations and attractions throughout.
In addition there are sections on food and drink, shopping, nightlife, sports and culture.
There is also a fascinating section on Sports and Games. From bull fighting through to Chess and Kite flying and a rather aggressive sounding see saw game for ladies, there is something here to keep everyone amused.
Hotel accommodation in Korea is best booked through a reputable agent who can secure you substantial discounts.
In ancient Chinese texts, Korea is referred to as Rivers and Mountains Embroidered in Silk and Eastern Nation of Decorum. During the 7th and 8th centuries, the Silk Road connected Korea to Arabia. In 845, Arab traders wrote, Beyond China is a land where gold abounds and which is named Silla. The Muslims who have gone there have been charmed by the country and tend to settle there and abandon all idea of leaving.
Korean festivities often showcase vibrant colours, which have been attributed to Mongolian influences bright red, yellow, and green often mark traditional Korean motifs. These bright colours are sometimes seen in the traditional dress known as handbook.
One peculiarity of Korean culture is its age reckoning system. Individuals are regarded as one year old when they are born, and their age increments on New Year's Day rather than on the anniversary of their birthday. Accordingly, a Korean person stated age will be one or two years more than their age expressed in the Western tradition.
Korean cuisine is probably best known for kimchi, which uses a distinctive fermentation process of preserving vegetables. Chilli peppers are also commonly used, often as chilli powder, earning the cuisine a reputation for being spicy.
