 View of the island from Manisan | |
 Interactive map of Ganghwa Island | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | South Korea |
| Coordinates | 37°43′N126°26′E / 37.71°N 126.44°E /37.71; 126.44 |
| Area | 302.4 km2 (116.8 sq mi) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 65,500 |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 강화도 |
| Hanja | 江華島 |
| RR | Ganghwado |
| MR | Kanghwado |
Ganghwa Island (Korean: 강화도), alsoGanghwado, is an island inGanghwa County,Incheon, South Korea. It is in theYellow Sea and in anestuary of theHan River.
The island is separated fromGimpo (on the South Korean mainland) by a narrow channel spanned by two bridges, and fromKaesong (Gaeseong) inNorth 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.[1]
It is strategically located, controlling access to the river, which runs through formerJoseon and South Korea's capital,Seoul. Its fortifications were repeatedly attacked in the19th century. With an area of 302.4 km2 (116.8 sq mi), it constitutes most ofGanghwa County (a division ofIncheon). The island has a population of about 65,500, half of whom live in Ganghwa Town (Ganghwa-eup) in the northeast.
Before the 10th century, the island went by various names, including Haegu (해구;海口;lit. mouth of the sea), Hyeolgu (혈구;穴口;lit. opening), Gangha (강하;江下;lit. below river[s]).[2]
In 940, during theGoryeo period, it received its current name, which means "beautiful [town by the] river".[2]
Formerromanizations include "Kang-hoa"[3] and "Kang-hwa".
The island is in the estuary ofKorea's Han River. It is South Korea's fourth-largest island, with an area of 305.75 km2 (118.05 sq mi), and has a coastline of 106.5 km (66.2 mi). Over time, land reclamation projects for agricultural purposes have increased the island's size.[2]
The island has a number of mountains. The tallest isManisan, in the south of the island, with a height of 469 m (1,539 ft). Also on the island are Jingangsan (진강산),Goryeosan, Nakjobong (낙조봉), Hyeolgusan (혈구산), and Byeollipsan (별립산).[2]
The island was originally connected to the mainland, but became separate over time via erosion.Mudflats now surround the island.[2]
| Climate data for Ganghwa (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1972–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 12.6 (54.7) | 17.4 (63.3) | 22.3 (72.1) | 29.2 (84.6) | 31.0 (87.8) | 33.2 (91.8) | 35.5 (95.9) | 35.8 (96.4) | 31.7 (89.1) | 28.3 (82.9) | 23.8 (74.8) | 16.0 (60.8) | 35.8 (96.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 1.7 (35.1) | 4.5 (40.1) | 9.8 (49.6) | 16.2 (61.2) | 21.4 (70.5) | 25.4 (77.7) | 27.6 (81.7) | 29.0 (84.2) | 25.5 (77.9) | 19.5 (67.1) | 11.5 (52.7) | 3.9 (39.0) | 16.3 (61.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −3.2 (26.2) | −0.7 (30.7) | 4.6 (40.3) | 10.7 (51.3) | 16.0 (60.8) | 20.5 (68.9) | 23.7 (74.7) | 24.7 (76.5) | 20.2 (68.4) | 13.7 (56.7) | 6.3 (43.3) | −0.9 (30.4) | 11.3 (52.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −8.1 (17.4) | −5.8 (21.6) | −0.6 (30.9) | 5.3 (41.5) | 11.0 (51.8) | 16.3 (61.3) | 20.6 (69.1) | 21.2 (70.2) | 15.6 (60.1) | 8.1 (46.6) | 1.2 (34.2) | −5.7 (21.7) | 6.6 (43.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −22.5 (−8.5) | −19.4 (−2.9) | −11.3 (11.7) | −4.4 (24.1) | 1.6 (34.9) | 6.9 (44.4) | 12.7 (54.9) | 12.5 (54.5) | 3.0 (37.4) | −4.2 (24.4) | −12.0 (10.4) | −19.8 (−3.6) | −22.5 (−8.5) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 15.6 (0.61) | 22.5 (0.89) | 31.4 (1.24) | 64.9 (2.56) | 110.9 (4.37) | 110.0 (4.33) | 355.6 (14.00) | 300.4 (11.83) | 131.5 (5.18) | 55.8 (2.20) | 46.3 (1.82) | 21.3 (0.84) | 1,266.2 (49.85) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.1 mm) | 5.0 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 7.5 | 8.2 | 8.6 | 14.1 | 11.9 | 7.4 | 5.6 | 7.5 | 6.6 | 93.2 |
| Average snowy days | 7.3 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 5.1 | 20.6 |
| Averagerelative humidity (%) | 63.6 | 61.0 | 61.4 | 62.4 | 68.6 | 75.1 | 82.8 | 79.9 | 73.8 | 68.9 | 67.8 | 65.4 | 69.2 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 186.2 | 186.5 | 217.0 | 221.7 | 235.3 | 208.5 | 153.0 | 184.9 | 203.8 | 214.3 | 166.0 | 171.8 | 2,349 |
| Percentagepossible sunshine | 58.7 | 61.8 | 58.9 | 59.0 | 54.8 | 50.0 | 38.6 | 47.7 | 57.4 | 63.3 | 55.7 | 55.6 | 54.6 |
| Source:Korea Meteorological Administration (percent sunshine 1981–2010)[4][5][6] | |||||||||||||
The island was part of Ganghwa-hyeon in the earlyGoryeo period. It became part of Ganghwa-bu in 1377. It became part of Ganghwa County inGyeonggi Province (Keiki-dō) in 1914, and remained so until 1994, when it became part of Incheon Metropolitan City.[2]
The island was the site of the 1866French expedition to Korea,[7] the 1871United States expedition to Korea, theBattle of Ganghwa,[8] and the 1875Ganghwa Island incident with Japan.[9] In 1876 Korea was forced to sign with Japan theTreaty of Ganghwa, which was named for the island.[10]
In 1969, theGanghwa Bridge [ko] was constructed between the island and the mainland. The bridge was replaced in 1997. TheGanghwa Choji Bridge [ko] opened in 2002.[2]
The island has stone tombs that are part of the UNESCOWorld Heritage Site seriesGochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites.[2]
Ganghwa Nadeulgil is a 20-trail walking tour, illustrating themudflat ecology and avian migratory habitats from prehistory to the Joseon dynasty.
Seongmodo is a level 10-mile (16 km) trail through a forest and the island's only beach, ending at a temple.[11]
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 toChamseongdan Altar, whereDangun Wanggeom reportedly performed ancestral rites.[12]
The island's turnip (Brassica rapa) 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 containtryptophan andglycyrrhizin. Said to prevent cancer, the turnip helps cure skin diseases, digestive ailments, tuberculosis, and respiratory disease with an anti-bacterial effect.[17][18]
Media related toGanghwa Island at Wikimedia Commons
Ganghwa Island travel guide from Wikivoyage