Samsu County

Samsu County
삼수군
County
Korean transcription(s)
  Chosŏn'gŭl
  Hancha
  McCune-Reischauer Samsu-kun
  Revised Romanization Samsu-gun
Country North Korea
Region Ryanggang Province
Administrative divisions 1 ŭp, 24 ri
Area
  Total 874 km2 (337 sq mi)
Population (1991)
  Total 33,631

Samsu County is a kun, or county, in Ryanggang province, North Korea. Prior to 1954, it was part of South Hamgyong province.

On its northern border, Samsu shares the Yalu River with China. It also shares a border with the province of North Pyongan. To the south, it occupies the northern tip of the Kaema Plateau. The southern and western reaches of Samsu abound with mountains. Due to the rugged terrain, transportation is difficult.

The highest peak of Samsu is Turungbong (두릉봉, 1921 m). The chief streams are the Changjin, Chungpyong and Yalu rivers (this is probably the reason for its name, 삼수(三水), which literally means 'three rivers'). Due to its high inland location, Samsu enjoys bitterly cold winters.

The chief industries in Samsu are logging and farming. Despite the rugged terrain, rice cultivation is widespread; in addition, slash-and-burn agriculture is practiced in the high fields. Local crops include potatoes, maize, soybeans, oats and rye. The Yalu is used to ship rough logs downstream. There are also local deposits of gold ore.

The Hyesan-Manpo-Chongnyon Line railway serves the county, as do various conventional roads.

See also

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