Northeast Asia.

GMT + 9.

99,313 sq km (38,345 sq miles, excluding demilitarised zone).

49 million (CIA estimate 2007).

493.4 per sq km.

Seoul. Population: 10.3 million (Seoul Metropolitan Government 2005).

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) is a peninsula that 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 and bays in the Korea Strait, including the largest, the volcanic island of Jeju-do, which lies off the southwest coast and is also home to South Korea's highest mountain, Mount Halla, at 1,950m (6,397ft). Most of the country consists of hills and mountains with the 30% of flat plain home to 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, Korea's second largest city after Seoul. The eastern coast is rocky and steep with mountains rising from the sea.

Republic since 1945.

President Lee Myung-bak since 2008.

Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo since 2007.

Lee Myung-bak, the candidate for the conservative GNP party, won the presidential elections in December 2007 and took over in February 2008.

He replaced President Roh, whose popularity swooped dramatically up and down, and his plans to move the administrative capital to a purpose-built new city called Sejong met with mixed reactions. One thing has stayed firm however - his ‘peace and prosperity' policy towards North Korea. It seeks the elimination of North Korea's nuclear weapons through Six-Party Talks involving Russia, China, US, Japan and the two Koreas, while offering energy aid, food and political incentives, easing the way to a gradual unification process.

North Korea tested a missile in October 2006, but decommissioned a nuclear base the following July as part of a February 2007 disarmament deal. The two sides have made great strides in reconciliation projects and cross-border economic exchanges. They held their second-ever summit in October 2007. South and North Korea are still technically at war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice instead of a peace treaty.

Korean, with English widely taught in school and generally understood in major centres.

This is one of the world's most homogeneous populations, but faith is divided largely between Christianity (14%) and the country's traditional faith of Buddhism (50.7%), with 34.3% choosing no religion. Confucian philosophy is generally followed out of generational habit, while Shamanism and the belief in ghosts and spirits are also strong. Cheondogyo is a Korean faith that has grown up out of Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity, and there is a small Islamic population.

110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. Government policy is to phase out the 110 volt supply and many hotels now have a 220 volt supply.

Observance of social convention is important if you wish to show respect or make an impression. Shoes should be removed before entering a Korean home. Entertainment is usually lavish and Koreans may sometimes be offended if their hospitality is refused. Small gifts are customary and traditional etiquette requires the use of the right hand for giving and receiving.

A slight bow upon meeting is appreciated; you never know people's status. Koreans can be very reserved, shy and resistant of body contact until they get to know you. However, do not expect any sense of personal space to be respected in Seoul, it is just too crowded. Centuries of Confucianism have lead to a legacy that family and society are paramount and seniority should always be respected. For this reason, Koreans often ask your age and marital status to quickly gauge societal seniority. Don't eat before the oldest person at the table has started either. Ancestors are highly venerated; many Koreans visit their ancestors' tombs every year during Chuseok, the harvest festival.

Never leave chopsticks in your rice, and never beckon anyone with palm up using one finger, as this is the way Koreans call their dogs. Writing someone's name in red is bad as this symbolises death. The number four is considered unlucky so don't give gifts in multiples of four; giving seven of an item however is considered lucky. Traditional costume, or hanbok, is mainly worn on holidays and special occasions. For men it consists of a short jacket and loose trousers, called baji, that are tied at the ankles. Women's hanboks comprise a wrap-around skirt and a bolero-style jacket and is often called a chima-jeogori.