Mountains
The major portion of the country is composed of mountains. Only 30 percent of the total area is flat. There are no vast plains in the country. Most of the more expansive plains lie in the western part of the land. From Mt. Paekdu on the Manchurian border, a huge mountain-range runs southward along the east coast which is often referred to as the backbone of the country. The slopes on the east coast are steep, while those on the west coast are gentle. Korean mountains are mostly low, and their crests are in most cases shaped like plateaus. The average height of the Kaema, the highest plateau in the country, is only 1,500 meters. The highest peak of the nation, Mt. Paektu, stands 2,744 meters high. In South Korea, there are no mountains that exceed 2,000 meters in hight.
Coastlines and Islands
The entire coastline of the Korean peninsula proper is about 17,000 kms including its adjacent islands. The west coast is marked by numerous indentations and irregularities, and abounds in islands. On the other hand, the east coast is mostly steep and has only a few islands. The south coast is even more irregular than the west and is considered a most unusual coastline formations in the world. The east coast has a relatively few good harbors, while the west and the south have them in abundance. However, harbors on the west Coast are handicapped by big differences in tides. The gap in tides reaches as much as 33 feet at Inchon, while on the east coast near Wonsan, the difference is only a foot.
The major ports along the east coast include Unggi, Chongjin, Songjin and Wonsan in North Korea, Mukho and Pohang in the South. Mukho, located halfway between Wonsan and Pusan, serves as a base for fisheries. Pohang, which is one of the largest ports on the east coast, houses a large integrated iron and steel mill. Chinnampo in North Korea and Inchon and Kunsan in South Korea are the ports located on the west coast. Chinnampo, the largest port on the west coast of North Korea, has been the center of trade with China. Inchon, which has become famous since it served as the staging area for the allied amphibious landing during the Korean War, is important as a gateway to Seoul, due to its proximity. Major ports along the south coast are Ulsan, Pusan, Chinhae, Masan, Yosu and Mokpo. Pusan is the oldest and the largest port city in Korea. Ulsan is well known for its industrial complex. Chinhae is important for its naval base, and Yosu is primarily a fishing port.
Inland Waters
Korean rivers are mostly short, shallow and swift, due to its topographical characteristics. As the eastern and the northern parts of the country are mountainous while the western and the southern parts abound in narrow plains, the majority of large rivers are in the south and west. Rivers exceeding 400kms in length are the Yalu and the Tumen which form the borders between Korea and Manchuria. Together with Taedong, Kum and Naktong Rivers, these rivers provide for good waterways. They also provide water to the nation’s agriculture, as well as to serve to generate hydroelectric powers.