Hwaseong, Gyeonggi

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For other places with the same name, see Hwaseong.
Hwaseong logo.gif
Hwaseong
Hangul 화성시
Hanja 華城市
Revised Romanization Hwaseong-si
McCune-Reischauer Hwasŏng-si
Statistics
Area 688 km² (266 sq mi)
Population (2007) 363,905 [1]
Population density 528.9 /km² (1,370 /sq mi)
Administrative divisions 3 eup, 10 myeon, 8 dong
Location map
Map Hwaseong-si.png

Hwaseong is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It has the largest area of farmland of any city or county in Gyeonggi province.[2] Seoul Subway Line 1 passes through Hwaseong, stopping at Byeongjeom Station. Famous people from Hwaseong include soccer player Cha Bum-Kun.

Contents

[edit] Climate

Hwaseong city is located in the western area of the Korean Peninsula. The temperatures in winter are low along the coast since it is located in the lower plains and close to the inland West Sea where the water level is shallow.[3] Additionally, Siberian air flows directly into the western flatlands of the Korean peninsula, making several areas colder.

[edit] Incidents

The area is famous for being the site of South Korea's first known serial killings when 10 murders - presumably by the same killer - took place there between the years of 1986 to 1991.[4] The killer was never caught. A dramatization of the case, Memories of Murder was made by Bong Joon-ho in Korea in 2003.

In 1999, the Sealand Youth Training Center Fire killed 23 people, including some children.[5]

[edit] Universal Studio

On November 27, 2007 the city was chosen as the site for the future Universal Studios South Korea theme park, set to open in 2012. The USD $3.1 billion park is expected to create at least 58,000 new jobs.[6]

[edit] Local products

Lots of special products sell in the Hwaseong area that are different from other regions of Gyeonggi-do. There are many facilities growing products ranging from honey melons to herbs. Additionally, dairy products are also available including meats, eggs, and milk. Hangwa is also made by local companies as a speciality.[7]

[edit] Return of US rifle range

A US camp was located in the Maehyang-ri(township) of Hwaseong and used as the US air army's gunshot place for 54 years. [8]

The public first welcomed the decision and urged the Korean government to reveal its environmental status. However, bind shells turned out to be buried around its area.[9] Additionally, the degree of pollution is very serious according to local environmental NGOs. In the case of lead, the concentration is more than 34 times that of normal soil. Many people have expressed anger considering this situation as deceiving the Korean people.[10]

[edit] Symbols

  • Flower : Forsythia
  • Tree : Ginko
  • Bird : Pigeon

[edit] Sister Cities

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ ::: About Gyeonggi::Population :::
  2. ^ http://www.hscity.net/english/html/data/data05_01.asp
  3. ^ http://english.hscity.net/ Climate
  4. ^ donga.com [english donga]
  5. ^ BBC News | Asia-Pacific | Teachers held in camp fire inquiry
  6. ^ http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/5330802.html
  7. ^ Local Products
  8. ^ 네이버 뉴스
  9. ^ 반환 미군기지 매향리의 일몰 (kor) 연합뉴스 2008-01-16 http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=001&aid=0001896404
  10. ^ Announcement degree of pollution in Maehyang-ri US rifle range. 반환된 화성 매향리사격장 오염실태 공개 연합뉴스 2008-01-16

[edit] External links

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Administrative Divisions (Si and Gun) of Gyeonggi-do
Capital
Cities (Si)

Ansan · Anseong · Anyang · Bucheon · Dongducheon · Gimpo · Goyang · Gunpo · Guri · Gwacheon · Gwangju · Gwangmyeong · Hanam · Hwaseong · Icheon · Namyangju · Osan · Paju · Pocheon · Pyeongtaek  · Seongnam · Siheung · Uijeongbu · Uiwang · Yangju · Yongin
Counties (Gun)
See Also