Living in South Korea

South Korea lies in eastern Asia, in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, and has around 51.6 million inhabitants. Mountains, densely forested hills, islands, and long coastlines shape the landscape. The climate brings humid, warm summers, cold winters, and marked regional differences: the south is generally milder, while the mountains are cooler and receive more snow. In Seoul and other major cities, many people live in high-rise apartments and use the subway, buses, or trains for their daily commute. Smaller cities and rural areas are shaped more by detached houses, agriculture, and cars. In their free time, people meet in cafés, markets, parks, or while hiking.