The population of South Korea is over 48 million.
National composition:
- Koreans (99%);
- other nations (Chinese, Filipinos, Thais, Vietnamese, Americans).
Koreans are sure that they are descendants of the Altai or proto-Altai tribes: they compare themselves with the Turks, Mongols and Tungus. Their confidence is based on archaeological data, according to which tribes from the southern and central regions of Siberia did migrate to the Korean Peninsula during the Neolithic and Bronze Age.
480 people live per 1 sq. Km, but the most densely populated is the Seoul district Yangcheon-gu (population density is over 27,000 people per 1 sq. Km), and the least populated is Inje-gun county (Gangwon-do province): here 1 sq. Km. km is home to 20 people.
The official language is Korean, but English is also widespread in the country.
Major cities: Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, Iachon, Daegu, Gwangju, Ulsan, Suwon, Half of South Koreans (51%) profess Buddhism, the rest - Protestantism, Catholicism, Confucianism, shamanism.
Life span
The female population lives on average up to 80, and the male population - up to 73 years. Despite the rather high rates, South Korea does not allocate much money to health care ($ 2,000 per year per person).
Koreans have the lowest rates of obesity at 4%, while the European average is 18% and Mexico is 40%. And this is surprising, because they do not adhere to a healthy diet: they eat few vegetables and fruits, and their diet consists of meat, fatty and fried foods, as well as inedible, according to Europeans, dishes in the form of fried insects.
Surely, Koreans would have lived even longer if not for their cravings for smoking and alcoholic beverages.
Traditions and customs of South Koreans
Koreans are a devout people who respect ancestors, family, parents and friends, as well as any culture and foreigners.
In South Korea, it is interesting that a man, regardless of his age, will be considered an adult only after he gets married.
A special event in the life of Koreans is the birth of a child: on the 100th day after his birth, the family organizes a small evening, inviting close relatives and friends to it. And when the child turns one year old, this event is celebrated with special splendor. In addition to the fact that many people are invited to this event, the child is dressed in a bright silk suit, and a special ritual is arranged in his honor - fortune telling about his future.
Koreans love to celebrate the holidays. For example, on the Seokhonje festival (March, September), people go to Confucian chapels, where costume processions are held, accompanied by a traditional orchestra. And on the holiday of Buddha's birthday (May), Koreans put on a spectacular show - a parade of lanterns.
If in Korea you are invited to some institution, know that it is customary here for everyone to pay for themselves, and if you are invited to visit, then the mistress of the house must be praised for the food (this is very much appreciated).
