Changnyeong County


Changnyeong County is a county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
In the early Three Kingdoms period, Changnyeong was the seat of Bihwa Gaya, a member of the Gaya confederacy which was later conquered by Silla.
The Nakdong River flows through the county. The Upo wetland, an important ecological resource and tourist attraction, occupies a portion of the river basin.
The county government is located in Changnyeong Town, the largest town and center of the county.
Famous people from Changnyeong include North Korean actress Song Hye-rim and the former mayor of Seoul Park Won-soon.

Etymology

Changnyeong means "prosperous peace", from the Sino-Korean roots and .

History

Yeongsan territory was established in 1631. In 1637, Changnyeong territory joined Yeongsan territory. On May 24, 1895, the first day of fifth lunar month, Changnyeong and Yeongsan were incorporated under Daegu as separate counties. On August 4, 1896, Changnyeong and Yeongsan county were incorporated into South Gyeongsang province. On April 1, 1914, Yeongsan County and Changnyeong county were merged into 15 townships - Eubnae, Goam, Seonsan, Daehap, Ibang, Yueo, Daeji, Changnak, Namgok, Jangma, Bugok, Yeongsan, Gilgok, Docheon, Gyeseong. In 1918, Eupnae was renamed as Changnyeong. On April 1, 1936, Namgok was renamed as Namji. On July 1, 1955, Changnak township is merged with Changnyeong township.. On January 1, 1960, Changnyeong township became Changnyeong town. On January 1, 1963, Namji township became Namji town. In 1971, The local town hall of Namji was established.

Administrative divisions

Changnyeong is made up of two towns, 12 townships 139 villages over an area of 532.72 km2. Of the 28,466 households and 61,789 people living in Changnyeong county in 2011 27.1% were living in Changnyeong town, 18.4% living in Namji town.
Eup·MyeonKoreanHanjaHouseholdsPopulationArea
Changnyeong-eup창녕읍6,92316,72361.42
Namji-eup남지읍5,05211,34355.23
Goam-myeon고암면高岩面1,1162,00144.48
Seongsan-myeon성산면城山面8711,59847.03
Daehab-myeon대합면大合面2,0024,01646.56
Ibang-myeon이방면梨房面1,3752,79446.60
Yueo-myeon유어면遊漁面1,0291,98033.29
Daeji-myeon대지면大池面1,1292,45017.87
Kyeseong-myeon계성면桂城面1,2932,61827.86
Yeongsan-myeon영산면靈山面2,6896,04729.36
Jangma-myeon장마면丈麻面1,0101,92529.99
Docheon-myeon도천면都泉面1,3572,84825.45
Kilgok-myeon길곡면吉谷面7381,48627.57
Bugok-myeon부곡면1,8823,96027.57
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Tourism

  • Upo wetland
Upo wetland in Changnyeong county is the largest wetlands in all of Korea. These wetlands are estimated to be created about 140 million years ago. It spreads out over Changnyeong county's Yueo, Ibang, Daehap, Daeji and other townships, covering over 2,310,000 m2, with a circumference area of 7.5 km. There are over 340 species of endangered plants such as the Euryale ferox, as well as 62 wild birds, and 28 fish located within the swamp.
Upo wetland was designated as a natural monument during the time of Japanese occupation in 1933. As soon as the Cultural Properties Protection Law was enacted on December 3, 1962, the wetland was designated as Cultural property 15 under the name of Changnyeong Swan habitat. However, on July 19, 1973, it was found that migratory bird numbers had decreased and therefore its status as a natural monument was cancelled. After another evaluation done on January 13, 2001, in order to determine the geographical scenic value of the biology living there, it was determined that the wetlands be considered natural preserve area number 524.
  • Bugok Hot Springs
In 1973 a hot spring resort was developed in Keomun village in the Bugok township. In that year, after the natural hot springs was discovered under scenic Deokam Mountain. The 48 geothermal wells that were discovered produce over 3,000 tons of water a day. In 1977년 Bugok was designated as a national tourist attraction with high quality hotels, recreational facilities, parks and forestation. One of the most famous hotel and spa is Bugok Hawaii, a resort style facility with a water and amusement park as well as a large hotel.
  • Bugok Hawaii
  • '''Mount Hwawang '''

    Educational Institutions

High Schools
  • Namji High and Middle School 남지고등학교
  • Yeongsan High and Middle School 영산고등학교
  • Changnyeong High School 창녕고등학교
  • Changnyeong Technical High School 창녕공업고등학교
  • Changnyeong Daeseong High School 창녕대성고등학교
  • Changnyeong Girl's High School 창녕여자고등학교
  • Changnyeong Ogya High and Middle School 창녕옥야고등학교
  • Changnyeong First High and Middle School 창녕제일고등학교
Middle Schools
  • Namji Girl's Middle School 남지여자중학교
  • Namji Middle School 남지중학교
  • Bugok Middle School 부곡중학교
  • Seongsan Middle School 성산중학교
  • Shinchang Girl's Middle School 신창여자중학교
  • Yeongsan Middle School 영산중학교
  • Changnyeong Girl's Middle School 창녕여자중학교
  • Changnyeong Ogya Middle School 창녕옥야중학교
  • Changnyeopng Middle School 창녕중학교

    Twin towns – sister cities

Changnyeong is twinned with: