
The
Republic of Korea (South Korea) shares borders to the north with the
demilitarised zone (separating it from the Democratic People’s Republic
of Korea), to the east with the Sea of Japan (East Sea), to the south
with the Korea Strait (separating it from Japan) and to the west with
the Yellow Sea. There are many islands, bays and peninsulas in the Korea
Strait. The volcanic island of Cheju-do lies off the southwest coast.
Most of the country consists of hills and mountains and the 30 per cent
of flat plain contains the majority of the population and cultivation.
Most rivers rise in the mountains to the east, flowing west and south to
the Yellow Sea. The Naktong River flows into the Korea Strait near the
southern port of Busan. The eastern coast is rocky and steep with
mountains rising from the sea.