Ganghwa Island


Ganghwa Island, also Ganghwado, is an island in Ganghwa County, Incheon, South Korea. It is in the Yellow Sea and in an estuary of the Han River.
The island is separated from Gimpo by a narrow channel spanned by two bridges, and from Kaesong in North Korea by the main channel of the Han River. It offers some of the closest views in the South of North Korean villages, which can be seen on clear days from less than two kilometers.
It is strategically located, controlling access to the river, which runs through former Joseon and South Korea's capital, Seoul. Its fortifications were repeatedly attacked in the 19th century. With an area of, it constitutes most of Ganghwa County. The island has a population of about 65,500, half of whom live in Ganghwa Town in the northeast.

Name

Before the 10th century, the island went by various names, including Haegu, Hyeolgu, Gangha.
In 940, during the Goryeo period, it received its current name, which means "beautiful river".
Former romanizations include "Kang-hoa" and "Kang-hwa".

Geography

The island is in the estuary of Korea's Han River. It is South Korea's fourth-largest island, with an area of, and has a coastline of. Over time, land reclamation projects for agricultural purposes have increased the island's size.
The island has a number of mountains. The tallest is Manisan, in the south of the island, with a height of. Also on the island are Jingangsan, Goryeosan, Nakjobong, Hyeolgusan, and Byeollipsan.
The island was originally connected to the mainland, but became separate over time via erosion. Mudflats now surround the island.

Climate



History

The island was part of Ganghwa-hyeon in the early Goryeo period. It became part of Ganghwa-bu in 1377. It became part of Ganghwa County in Gyeonggi Province in 1914, and remained so until 1994, when it became part of Incheon Metropolitan City.
The island was the site of the 1866 French expedition to Korea, the 1871 United States expedition to Korea, the Battle of Ganghwa, and the 1875 Ganghwa Island incident with Japan. In 1876 Korea was forced to sign with Japan the Treaty of Ganghwa, which was named for the island.

Transportation

In 1969, the was constructed between the island and the mainland. The bridge was replaced in 1997. The opened in 2002.

Tourism

The island has stone tombs that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site series Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites.
Ganghwa Nadeulgil is a 20-trail walking tour, illustrating the mudflat ecology and avian migratory habitats from prehistory to the Joseon dynasty.
Seongmodo is a level trail through a forest and the island's only beach, ending at a temple.
Pungmul Market is a food market selling grain, vegetables, fruits, seafood, meat, fish, tofu, and ginseng.
Goryeogung is a palace site of Goryeo from 1232 to 1270 in Incheon.
Manisan is Ganghwa's tallest mountain and home to Chamseongdan Altar, where Dangun Wanggeom reportedly performed ancestral rites.

Festivals

  • Goryeo Azalea Festival: Mid-April at Dolmen Square on Goryeo Mountain
  • : Early October at Oepo-ri dock
  • Ganghwa Foundation Day Grand Festival: October 1–3 in Chamseongdan on Manisan
  • Ganghwa Goryeo Ginseng Festival: Mid-October

Turnips

The island's turnip has been cultivated for over 1,000 years. Its moisture content is over 90% and its main component is carbohydrate. The dark-purple, taproot vegetable has a mustardy scent and tastes like ginseng. Its seeds and the fully grown vegetable are used in folk remedies and Oriental medicine. Its leaves have vitamins, and its roots contain tryptophan and glycyrrhizin. Said to prevent cancer, the turnip helps cure skin diseases, digestive ailments, tuberculosis, and respiratory disease with an anti-bacterial effect.

Notable people