The Korean Peninsula extends southward from the eastern end of the Asian continent. It is roughly 1,000 km (621 miles) long and 216 km (134 miles) wide at its narrowest point. Mountains cover 70% of the land mass, making Korea one of the most mountainous regions in the world. The lifting and folding of Korea's granite and limestone base has created breathtaking landscapes of scenic hills and valleys. The mountain range that stretches along the east coast drops off into the eastern sea, while the mountains along the southern and western coasts descend gradually to the coastal plains that produce the bulk of Korea's agricultural crops. The peninsula is divided just slightly north of the 38th parallel by the Korea Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The democratic Republic of Korea lies south of this buffer zone, while its communist neighbor, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, lies to its north. South Korea has a population of 48.7 million(July 2009).Administratively, the Republic of Korea consists of nine provinces (do); the capital Seoul; the six metropolitan cities of Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, and Ulsan; and 77 cities (si) and 88 counties (gun).

Korea has four seasons, with a wet monsoon/summer season in the middle of the year, and a cold winter from November to March. The island of Jeju off the southern coast is the warmest and wettest place in the country. The ideal time to visit Korea is during the autumn months (September-November). During this time, the country experiences warm, sunny weather, skies that are cobalt blue and spectacular foliage that is perhaps the biggest draw. Winters are cold and dry and are a good time to visit if you are interested in winter sports as there are numerous ski resorts. Spring (April-May) is also beautiful with all the cherry blossoms in bloom. However, it is very busy and one needs to book in advance to ensure accommodation is available. The summer (July-August) months are muggy and hot, and rather crowded. It is also when the monsoon season begins so many activities are subject to the fluctuations of heavy rain.