Osan


Osan is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, approximately south of Seoul. The population of the city is around 200,000. The local economy is supported by a mix of agricultural and industrial enterprises.
It is famous for one of the largest markets in South Korea, Osan Market, which has been in continuous operation since 1792. The city was the scene of the first battle between the US and North Korea during the Korean War in 1950; there is a statue and museum dedicated to UN forces on the outskirts of the city.
The United States Air Force base named after the city, Osan Air Base, is not actually located in the city, but is instead south, in the Songtan district of Pyeongtaek.
Osan Station is a large subway station located in the heart of Osan. It is part of the Seoul Subway Line 1 and the KTX. There is a bus terminal next to the subway station and many buses stop in front of the subway station.

Name

Osan came to be called by its current name in 1914, at the time of a general reorganization of local governments under Japanese rule. At that time it became Osan-myeon, part of Suwon. This name in turn was taken from that of a local stream, the Osancheon. However, prior to the Japanese occupation, the name had been rendered in hanja as 鰲山, meaning "soft-shelled turtle mountain." Because of the complexity of the 鰲 character, and because crows were abundant in the area, the Japanese changed the name to 烏山, meaning "crow mountain school."

Administrative districts

The administrative districts of Osan consists of six administrative districts and 24 legal districts. Osan has a population of 228,111 and 97,348 households as of the end of June 2020.
NameHangulHanjaHouseholdPopulationAreaLegal districts
Chopyeong-dong초평동楚坪洞6,94616,2046.48 km2Beoreum-dong, Dugok-dong, Part of Gasu-dong, Part of Nueup-dong, Seo-dong, Tap-dong
Daewon-dong대원동大園洞26,92164,4846.20 km2Part of Busan-dong, Cheongho-dong, Part of Galgot-dong, Gohyeon-dong, Part of Osan-dong, Won-dong
Jungang-dong중앙동中央洞14,08036,2433.66 km2Part of Busan-dong, Part of Eungye-dong, Part of Osan-dong
Namchon-dong남촌동南村洞12,89519,9256.06 km2Cheonghak-dong, Gajang-dong, Part of Galgot-dong, Part of Gasu-dong, Part of Gwol-dong, Part of Osan-dong
Sema-dong세마동洗馬洞12,51931,86213.32 km2Jigot-dong, Oesammi-dong, Segyo-dong, Seorang-dong, Yangsan-dong
Sinjang-dong신장동新場洞23,98759,3937.04 km2Part of Eungye-dong, Geumam-dong, Part of Gwol-dong, Naesammi-dong, Sucheong-dong
Total97,348228,11142.76 km2

Climate

Osan has a humid continental climate, but can be considered a borderline humid subtropical climate using the isotherm.

Sister cities

, a fried chicken chain, has its head office in Osan.