BAR2

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Diamond Mountain" redirects here. For other uses, see Diamond Mountain (disambiguation).
Mount Kumgang
Highest point
Elevation 1,638 m (5,374 ft)
Coordinates
Geography
Location Mount Kumgang Tourist Region, North Korea
Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
Korean name
Chosŏn'gŭl 금강산
Hancha 金剛山
Revised Romanization Geumgangsan
McCune–Reischauer Kŭmgangsan
Mount Kumgang (Korean: 금강산; RR: Geumgangsan; MR: Kŭmgangsan; lit. Diamond Mountain) or the Kumgang Moun-
tains is a mountain massif, with a 1,638-metre-high (5,374 ft) peak, in Kangwon-do, North Korea. It is located on the east coast
of the country, in Mount Kumgang Tourist Region, formerly part of Kangwŏn Province, and is part of the Taebaek mountain
range which runs along the east of the Korean Peninsula. The mountain is about 50 kilometres (31 mi) from the South Ko-
rean city of Sokcho in Gangwon-do.
Seasonal names[edit]
Japanese map of Kongō-san, or Mount Kumgang in 1939.
Mount Kumgang has been known for its scenic beauty since ancient times[1][2][3] and is the subject of many different works of art.
Including its spring name, Kŭmgangsan (금강산; 金剛山, Korean pronunciation: [kɯmɡaŋsʰan]), it has many different names for
each season, but it is most widely known today in the Korean language as Kŭmgangsan. In summer, it is called Pongraesan (봉
래산; 蓬萊山; lit. the place where a spirit dwells); in autumn, Phung'aksan (풍악산; 楓岳山; 楓骨山; lit. great mountain of colored
leaves[4]); in winter, Kaegolsan (개골산; 皆骨山; lit. stone bone mountain).
Formation[edit]
The creation of Mt. Kŭmgang is closely related to the unique climate and distinctive geological activity of the area.[5] Mt. Kŭm-
gang is a region where rain and snow fall relatively heavily, and the climate varies depending on altitude and even east-west lo-
cation.[5] The Kŭmgang geological layer is composed of several types of rocks from ancient geological periods.[6] The most widely
distributed rocks are granites of two types (mica mixed and stained), with granite-gneissic fertilization zones being formed in
some areas.[6] The rocks are transversely oriented and form a joint in various directions, forming unusual terrains and strange
rocks, which have been formed as a result of erosion for a long period of crustal activity and weathering, from 10 million years to
the present.[5][6]
Geography[edit]
Location of Mount Kumgang in eastern Korea

Kŭmgang Mountain ranges from Tongchon County, Kangwon Province in North Korea, to Inje County, Gangwon Province in
South Korea.[7] The area is up to 40 km long east–west, 60 km north–south, with a total size of 530 km² to the back of Baekdu-
daegan. It is divided between the "Inner Kumgang" in the west and the "Outer Kumgang" in the east. The area on the east side
of the Yeongeum River is called "Hae Kumgang" ("Sea Kumgang"). The main peak of Mt. Kŭmgang is Pirobong, and there are
more than 60 peaks over 1,000 meters. Combined with countless sub-peaks, they were historically called "12,000 peaks".
[7]
Many scenic spots in the area are designated as natural monuments of North Korea. The southern part of the "Outer Kum-
gang" is also called "New Kumgang".[8] There are 11 areas in Outer Kumgang, 8 in Inner Kumgang and 3 in Hae Kumgang,[9] al-
though not all have been opened.
Inner Kumgang[edit]
Since ancient times, the name Kumgang has been mainly used for the "Inner Kumgang" (내금강),[10] which, located in the west-
ern part of the central pole, contains the main peak of Mount Kŭmgang.
Outer Kumgang[edit]
The path to Kuryoung Falls Kuryong Falls

"Outer Kumgang" (외금강) is located to the east of the "Inner kumgang" and covers an area along the east coast. The Outer
Kŭmgang area is noted for the large number of peaks. Chipson Peak (literally "rock of ten thousand forms") is known for its
many waterfalls. It includes many mountain peaks including Moonjoo Peak, Ho Peak, Sangdeung Peak, etc. The "Sea Kŭm-
gang" area is known for the lagoons and stone pillars.
Kuryong Falls ("Nine Dragons Falls") in Kuryongyeon is one of the three major waterfalls in Korea along with Daeseung Falls
in Seoraksan.[11] It is 74 meters in height and 4 meters in width.[11] The waterfall cliffs and the bottom are made of one granite
mass.[11] Bibbong Waterfall is 139 meters higher, and is named for its refreshing water stream.[12] The rocks there are associated
with unique legends.[13]
Environment[edit]
Much of the mountain is covered by mixed broadleaf and coniferous forest and protected in a 60,000 ha national park. Some
25,000 ha has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because it supports endangered red-
crowned cranes.[14]
Climate

BAR2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

BAR2

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

BAR2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Elevation 1,638 m (5,374 ft)

Location Mount Kumgang Tourist Region, North Korea

Location of Mount Kumgang in eastern Korea

The path to Kuryoung Falls Kuryong Falls

You might also like