Seoul Capital Area, Metropolitan region in northwest South Korea.
The Seoul Capital Area is a metropolitan region in northwestern South Korea, stretching along the Han River and the coast of the Yellow Sea. The region includes several large cities, many suburbs, and industrial zones connected by rivers, mountain ridges, and coastal plains.
The region was first organized as the capital of the Joseon kingdom in the late 14th century and experienced rapid growth after the Korean War. In the following decades, the urban landscape expanded beyond its original boundaries, merging several provinces into a continuous built-up area.
Old palaces from the Joseon period stand beside tower blocks, while traditional markets and modern shopping districts are visited by millions daily. In the parks, residents practice Tai Chi in the morning, while at night neon signs and screens light up entire streets.
Visitors should consider buying a transport card, as all major places are connected by subway or train lines. English signage is widespread in the central areas, while more remote suburbs may offer fewer signs in other languages.
The region contains some of the most densely populated places on Earth, with certain neighborhoods exceeding 20,000 inhabitants per square kilometer. Despite this density, you will find surprisingly many green hills and forests within and between the built-up areas.
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