South Korea occupies the southern section of the Korean Peninsula, which stretches approximately 1,100 km (680 mi) from the East Asian mainland. The peninsula is bordered by the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east, with its southernmost point facing the Korea Strait and the East China Sea. The nation's territory, including its islands, lies between latitudes 33° and 39°N and longitudes 124° and 130°E, covering a total area of 100,410 square kilometers (38,768.52 sq mi).
The country is divided into 4 regions: the east features rugged mountain ranges and narrow coastal plains; the west consists of expansive river basins, rolling hills, and broad coastal plains; the southwest is characterized by mountains and valleys; and the southeast is dominated by the Nakdong River basin. South Korea is home to three terrestrial ecoregions—Central Korean deciduous forests, Manchurian mixed forests, and Southern Korea evergreen forests. Due to its largely mountainous terrain, only 30% of the land is arable, with most lowlands situated in the western and southeastern parts. The country boasts 20 national parks and scenic destinations such as the Boseong Tea Fields, Suncheon Bay Ecological Park, and Jirisan.
South Korea has about 3,000 islands, mainly small and uninhabited, dot South Korea's western and southern coastlines. The largest, Jeju Island, is located around 100 kilometers (62 mi) off the southern coast, spanning 1,845 square kilometers (712 sq mi). Jeju is also home to South Korea's highest peak, Hallasan, an extinct volcano standing at 1,950 meters (6,400 ft) above sea level. Other notable islands include Ulleungdo and Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo/Takeshima) in the east, as well as Marado and Socotra Rock in the south.
South Korea experiences both humid continental and humid subtropical climates, influenced by the East Asian monsoon. The country receives the most precipitation during the short summer rainy season, known as jangma, which starts in late June and lasts through the end of July. In Seoul, winter temperatures range from -7 to 1 °C (19 to 34 °F), while summer temperatures typically fall between 22 and 30 °C (72 to 86 °F). The southern coastal regions have milder winters, while the mountainous interior experiences much colder conditions. Summers across the country can be particularly hot and humid, often exceeding 30 °C (86 °F).
South Korea has four well-defined seasons: spring from late March to early May, summer from mid-May to early September, autumn from mid-September to early November, and winter from mid-November to mid-March. Rainfall is primarily concentrated between June and September, with the southern coast occasionally affected by typhoons in late summer, which can bring strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding. Annual precipitation levels vary, with Seoul receiving around 1,370 millimeters (54 in) and Busan experiencing slightly higher amounts at 1,470 millimeters (58 in).
South Korea boasts a highly developed economy, ranking 12th globally by nominal GDP and 14th by purchasing power parity. As a G20 major economy, it is the most industrialized member of the OECD and maintains a high-income status. Internationally recognized brands like LG Electronics and Samsung have solidified the country's reputation for producing top-quality electronics and manufactured goods. South Korea has been a member of the OECD since 1996.
A strong emphasis on education has transformed South Korea from widespread illiteracy to a global technological leader. Its economy benefits from a highly skilled workforce, with one of the world's highest rates of tertiary education attainment. From the early 1960s to the late 1990s, South Korea experienced rapid economic expansion, ranking among the fastest-growing developed economies into the 2000s, alongside Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan—collectively known as the Asian Tigers. Between 1980 and 1990, it recorded the world’s fastest increase in average GDP per capita, a period referred to as the "Miracle on the Han River." The economy relies heavily on international trade, placing South Korea as the fifth-largest exporter and seventh-largest importer in 2014. It also holds one of the largest foreign-exchange reserves worldwide.
While South Korea enjoys economic stability and high growth potential, its financial markets sometimes experience setbacks due to tensions with North Korea, especially during military crises. Nevertheless, the International Monetary Fund has praised the country’s ability to withstand economic challenges, citing low state debt and substantial fiscal reserves available for rapid mobilization in emergencies. Though it suffered during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, South Korea rebounded quickly, ultimately tripling its GDP.
Also, South Korea was one of the few developed nations to avoid a recession during the 2008 financial crisis. Economic growth rised to 6.2% in 2010, following a sharp recovery from the modest rates of 2.3% in 2008 and 0.2% in 2009 during the Great Recession. The country also maintained a low unemployment rate of 3.6% in 2009.