| Taedong River | |
|---|---|
The Taedong River in North Korea |
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| Origin | Rangrim Mountains, South Hamgyong |
| Mouth | West Korea Bay |
| Basin countries | North Korea |
| Length | 439 kilometers (273 mi)[1] |
| Basin area | 20,344 km² |
The Taedong River (Hangul:대동강/Hanja:大同江) is a large river in North Korea. It rises in the Rangrim Mountains of the country's north. It then flows southwest into Korea Bay at Namp'o.[2] In between, it runs through the country's capital, Pyongyang. Along the river are landmarks such as the Juche Tower and Kim Il-sung Square.
The river has a length of 439 kilometers and is generally deep. It is the fifth longest river on the Korean peninsula and the second longest in North Korea. Pyongyang is approximately 110 km upstream from the mouth, Sunchon 192 km upstream, and Taehŭng 414 km upstream. Because of its depth, it is widely used for river transport; it is navigable by large ships up to 65 km inland, though most commercial traffic stops at Songrim.
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The Taedong River is widely regarded in north Korea as the cradle of Korean civilization, as the Koguryo capital at Pyongyang was founded on its shores. Many archeological sites dating to the neolithic and Bronze ages have been found along the river, as well as relics and ruins from a settlement believed to be the Chinese Lelang Commandery which was eventually conquered by Koguryo. The Nakrang Tombs, excavated by the Japanese during their occupation, revealed a thriving civilization centered on the Taedong.
During the Japanese occupation of Korea, the river was formerly known as the Daidō, its Japanized name.[3] It was also once known as the Pae River.[4]
In 1986, the government completed the 8 kilometer long West Sea Barrage, with three locks and 36 sluices, at the mouth of the Taedong River near Namp'o.[2] The dam acts to control floodwater and to irrigate lands newly reclaimed from the Korea Gulf.[2] The dam has reduced the river's natural ability to purify itself and tends to concentrate contaminants.[5] Other dams, such as the Nyongwon Power Station, have been built to provide energy to the country.[6]
In Pyongyang, there are six bridges on the Taedong, including the Okryu Bridge, Rungra Bridge, and Taedong Bridge.[7]