Saemangeum, Flood barrier in Yellow Sea coast, South Korea
Saemangeum is a levee on the Yellow Sea coast that stretches for many kilometers between ocean waters and reclaimed land. The structure has multiple water gates that manage water flow and maintain levels for farming and water storage needs.
Construction started in 1991 and finished in 2010, transforming South Korea's coastline with this massive infrastructure project. This land reclamation effort was driven by the country's long-term development strategy for the region.
The levee changed how fishing communities relate to the sea and transformed their traditional way of life along this coast. The construction and the farmland it created reshaped the local economy and how people work with this landscape today.
Access is easiest from the land side, where walking paths let you follow the levee and see the structure from different angles. Visit during daylight hours to get a clear view of the gates and surrounding landscape.
Guinness World Records recognized Saemangeum as the world's longest seawall, stretching across about 34 kilometers. This record reflects an extraordinary feat of coastal engineering that draws attention from builders and engineers worldwide.
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