Ganghwado

Ganghwado
Korean transcription(s)
  Hangul
  Hanja
  Revised Romanization Ganghwado
  McCune–Reischauer Kanghwado

Ganghwa

Map showing location of Ganghwa Island.
Country South Korea
Area
  Total 302.4 km2 (116.8 sq mi)
Population (est.)
  Total 65,500
  Density 220/km2 (560/sq mi)

Ganghwa Island is an island in the estuary of the Han River, on the west coast of South Korea. Ganghwa Island is separated from Gimpo, on the mainland, by a narrow channel, which is spanned by two bridges. The main channel of the Han River separates the island from Gaeseong in North Korea.

About 65,500 people live on the island. With an area of 302.4 km2 (116.8 sq mi), it constitutes most of Ganghwa County, a division of Incheon Municipality. About half of the island's population reside in Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa Town, in the northeastern part of the island. The island's highest point is Mani-san, 469 m (1,539 ft) above sea level. The island measures 28 kilometres (17 mi) long and 22 kilometres (14 mi) wide, and is the 4th largest island in South Korea.

Historically, it is significant as being the location of separate punitive incursions; by the French in 1866, the United States in 1871, and the Japanese in 1875 when Korea was emerging from isolation.

Climate

Climate data for Ganghwa (1981–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 1.2
(34.2)
4.1
(39.4)
9.4
(48.9)
16.3
(61.3)
21.3
(70.3)
25.4
(77.7)
27.5
(81.5)
29.0
(84.2)
25.3
(77.5)
19.3
(66.7)
11.2
(52.2)
4.1
(39.4)
16.2
(61.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) −3.8
(25.2)
−1.0
(30.2)
4.3
(39.7)
10.7
(51.3)
15.9
(60.6)
20.3
(68.5)
23.5
(74.3)
24.5
(76.1)
19.8
(67.6)
13.4
(56.1)
6.0
(42.8)
−0.8
(30.6)
11.1
(52)
Average low °C (°F) −8.7
(16.3)
−6.1
(21)
−0.9
(30.4)
5.1
(41.2)
10.8
(51.4)
15.8
(60.4)
20.4
(68.7)
20.8
(69.4)
15.1
(59.2)
7.8
(46)
0.8
(33.4)
−5.6
(21.9)
6.3
(43.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 17.7
(0.697)
19.2
(0.756)
39.6
(1.559)
66.9
(2.634)
108.8
(4.283)
123.4
(4.858)
358.2
(14.102)
326.6
(12.858)
165.4
(6.512)
51.2
(2.016)
50.7
(1.996)
18.8
(0.74)
1,346.7
(53.02)
Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 5.7 4.7 6.2 6.7 8.4 8.7 13.9 12.0 7.3 5.7 7.0 6.6 92.9
Average relative humidity (%) 66.1 63.0 62.9 62.8 69.5 75.3 82.7 80.3 74.8 69.9 68.2 67.3 70.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours 179.8 188.3 218.3 233.3 241.4 221.0 173.2 201.3 214.4 220.4 170.0 165.9 2,431.5
Source: Korea Meteorological Administration[1]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ganghwa Island.

References

  1. "평년값자료(1981–2010) 강화(201)". Korea Meteorological Administration. Retrieved 2011-05-11.

Coordinates: 37°42′N 126°26′E / 37.700°N 126.433°E