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Incheon, South Korea
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Incheon is a metropolitan city and a major seaport on the west coast of South Korea, near Seoul.
Human settlement at the location goes back to the Neolithic. In modern times Incheon became important because its location on an estuary made it a good harbor; when the port was founded in 1883, the city, then called Chemulpo (hangul: , hanja: , revised: Jemulpo), had a population of only 4,700. Incheon is now home to almost 2.5 million people, and is also under the control of one of the two free economic zone authorities in Korea, aimed at attracting foreign investment; the city aims to turn itself into a financial and corporate hub along with the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority.
The city boundaries include an area of 964.53 km², of which 21 percent is rice paddies and another 44 percent is forested.
Incheon is regarded as part of the greater Seoul metropolitan area due to its close proximity to the capital, and the fact that the Seoul Metropolitan Subway and the Incheon Subway systems are linked. Incheon is, however, a major city in its own right and is a separate jurisdiction from Seoul.
Human settlement at the location goes back to the Neolithic. In modern times Incheon became important because its location on an estuary made it a good harbor; when the port was founded in 1883, the city, then called Chemulpo (hangul: , hanja: , revised: Jemulpo), had a population of only 4,700. Incheon is now home to almost 2.5 million people, and is also under the control of one of the two free economic zone authorities in Korea, aimed at attracting foreign investment; the city aims to turn itself into a financial and corporate hub along with the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority.
The city boundaries include an area of 964.53 km², of which 21 percent is rice paddies and another 44 percent is forested.
Incheon is regarded as part of the greater Seoul metropolitan area due to its close proximity to the capital, and the fact that the Seoul Metropolitan Subway and the Incheon Subway systems are linked. Incheon is, however, a major city in its own right and is a separate jurisdiction from Seoul.
HistoryThe first historical record of the Incheon area dates back to 475 A.D. during the reign of King Jangsu of Goguryeo by the name of Michuhol. The area underwent several name changes with successive kingdoms and dynasties. The current name was established in 1413 A.D. during the reign of King Taejong of Joseon. The name Jemulpo was not widely used until the opening of the port in 1883.
The city was the site of a Japanese POW camp during World War II.
On September 15, 1950, during the Korean War, Incheon was the site of the Battle of Inchon, when United States troops landed to relieve pressure on the Pusan Perimeter and to launch a United Nations offensive northward. The USS Inchon (MCS-12) was named after the tide-turning battle that ensued.
Incheon was originally part of Gyeonggi Province, but was granted Directly Governed (now Metropolitan) City status on July 1, 1981.
EducationOn February 27, 2007, Incheon declared itself an "English City," and inaugurated the "Incheon Free English Zone" program. The goal of the program is to make Incheon as much an English speaking city as Hong Kong and Singapore are. This is for the ultimate purpose of establishing Incheon as a commercial and business hub of northeast Asia (see Free Economic Zone below). The official slogan of the program is "Smile with English."
Higher educationIncheon is home to several colleges and universities:
Gachon Medical School Gachongil College Gyeongin National University of Education Gyeongin Women's College Inha Technical College Inha University Incheon Catholic University Incheon City College University of Incheon
SportsThe city is home to K-League soccer team Incheon United, National League soccer team Incheon Korail, the KBL basketball team Inchon ET Land Blackslamers, and KBO baseball team SK Wyverns. Incheon was also one of the venues for the 2002 Football World Cup.
On April 19, 2007, Incheon was selected as the host city for the 2014 Asian Games, beating out New Delhi.
Munhak Sports Complex is the location of the baseball stadium and soccer stadium of their respective pro teams.
Free Economic ZoneIncheon Free Ecomonomic Zone(IFEZ) consists of 3 different Incheon City districts with total area of 51,739 acres: Songdo, Cheongna and Yeongjong. Its goal is to transform these areas into the logistics, international business and leisure & tourism hub of the Northeast Asian region. IFEZ refers to the areas designed as centers for international business within Incheon. The term 'Free Economic Zone' means the zone, which is developed with the aim of improving the business environment for foreign-invested enterprises and living conditions for foreigners. The zone is a specially designated area to create the most favorable business and living environment where foreign nationals can live and invest freely and conveniently. Incheon's Free Economic Zone, the first in Korea, was officially designated by the Korean government in August 2003. The Korean government fully supports free international business and the standards of company management demanded by today's global market.
IFEZ is a self-contained living and business district featuring air and sea transportation, logistics complex, international business center, financial services, residences, schools and hospitals, shopping and entertainment. The Songdo, Yeongjong , and Cheongna ares of IFEZ were designated as Korea’s first Free Economic Zone in August 2003. Songdo International City is designed to be a Mecca for international business and high-tech industries. Yeongjong Island is planned as a hub of international logistics, tourism and leisure. Cheongna will be a center for entertainment and will contain a world class theme park. Songdo International CitySongdo International city began development in 1994 is being built on reclaimed land. It is designated to become a center of diverse international businesses, a hub for international trade, an area for knowledge-based technologies, and a place for eco-friendly urban living.
Development size: 13,162 ares Planned population: 252,000 persons Construction duration: 1994~2020
Incheon Tower will be located on Construction Area 11. Incheon Bridge will be a long bridge for connecting of Songdo International City to Yeongjong Island for easy access ti the airport. The bridge will be 12.3 km (7.4 mile) long.
International Business Center This project consists of the convention center called Songdo Convencia, the North East Asia Trade Tower (NEATT), many office buildings and a golf course on 1,364 acres. The projected budget will be approximately 22 billion dollars. The developer is NSIC, a joint venture company between Gail & POSCO.
Songdo Convencia has been under construction since March 2005 and will be completed by the early 2009. NEATT has been under construction since February 2007 and the first phase will be finished by the end of 2009. It will conctain 65 stories at a hieght of approximately 300 meters. A central park is also under construction that will be 10% of the size of Songdo International City. It will contain a museum, a botanical garden, an artificial lake and will open in June 2009.
Incheon Tower Incheon Tower will be located in Construction Area 11. It is proposed 151-floor, 610 meter tower. When completed, it will be the tallest building in east Asia and the third tallest in the world after the Burj Dubai (818 m) and the Russia Tower (612 m).
Incheon Bridge Incheon Bridge is a large bridge that will connect Songdo International City and Yeongjong Island. Upon completion, the bridge will be 12.3 km (7.4 mile) long, and will be second longest bridge in Asia after Penang Bridge in Malaysia, 13.5km.
Yeongjong Island Yeongjong International City’ 34,183 acres centering on the Incheon International Airport will be developed as an eco-friendly airport city by 2020. It will be a functional city with residential amenities for airport staff and visitors, as well as logistics, commercial and distribution facilities. Yeongjong will provide an optimal environment for logistic, tourism and leisure in conjunction with the Incheon International Airport.
Development size: 34,183 acres Planned population: 144,800 persons Duration: 2002~2016 Cheongna The Cheongna district, on the mainland adjacent Yeongjong Island, will feature a beautiful and pleasant residential area, entertainment, sports, a floriculture complex and a business area specially designed for international finance. Incheon’s geographic advantages along with single day travel routes within Northeast Asia, will transform Cheongna into an international tourism destination.
Development Size: 4,394 acres Planned population: 90,000 persons Duration: 2004~2008Administrative divisionsIncheon is divided into 8 wards ("gu") and 2 counties ("gun").
Bupyeong-gu (부평구; 富平區) Dong-gu (동구; 東區) Gyeyang-gu (계양구; 桂陽區) Jung-gu (중구; 中區) Nam-gu (남구; 南區) Namdong-gu (남동구; 南洞區) Seo-gu (서구; 西區) Yeonsu-gu (연수구; 延壽區) Ganghwa-gun (강화군; 江華郡) Ongjin-gun (옹진군; 甕津郡)Points of interestBupyeong Station is where the Seoul Subway Line 1 and Incheon subway line intersect. There is a large under ground shopping center there mostly selling trendy women's clothing and cell phones. Above ground, there are many restaurants, additional shops, and a Lotte Mart.
A number of Korea's western islands, including Ganghwa Island, Yeongjong Island, and Baengnyeong Island are also administered by Incheon. Baengnyeong Island is South Korea's westernmost point.
Jayu (Freedom) Park- The statue of General MacArthur as well as a memorial to the centennial anniversary of U.S. and Korea relations is located within.
Korea's only official Chinatown is located in Incheon, nearby Jayu Park.
Wolmido- Location of Green Beach, one of the landing sites for MacArthur's invasion force. It is now a local tourist attraction with a boardwalk, an amusement park and many raw fish restaurants.
Incheon Landing Operation Memorial Hall- A plaza and small museum dedicated to the Landing. Weapons and artifacts from the war and operation are displayed.
Incheon government have many plans for reforming of Incheon's old town.
People from IncheonMyung Jae NamSister cities Dalian, China Tianjin, China Tel Aviv, Israel Kitakyushu, Japan Anchorage, United States Philadelphia, United States Burbank, California, United States Honolulu, United StatesExternal linksIncheon Metropolitan City government websiteIncheon Free Economic Zone(IFEZ) Official Homepage
Amateur Incheon GuideKorean Railroad Guide (Korean)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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