Unsan
Encyclopedia
Unsan is a kun
, or county, in eastern North Pyongan province, North Korea
. Within the province, it borders Hyangsan
in the east, Kujang
and Nyongbyon
in the south, and Tongchang
and Taechon
in the west. In addition, it is bordered by Chagang province to the east (Huichon
) and north (Songwon
).
The Kuryong River (구룡강) has formed a steep valley and basin in the center of the county, into which various tributaries flow including the Uhyon River, Choyang River, Yonghung River, and Pungsanchon. The year-round average temperature is 8.2 °C, with a January average of -10.2 °C and an August average of 23.8 °C. The climate is fairly wet, with an average annual rainfall of 1400 mm. 73% of the county's area is forested, while only 15.5% is cultivated.
Of Unsan's cultivated land, most (70%) is dry-field, with numerous cattle farms; local crops include maize, soybeans, sweet potatoes, and vegetables as well as rice. Unsan leads the province in the production of sweet potatoes. Fruit is also raised. Gold and silver are mined, and factories produce textiles and ironware.
In Yongho-ri on the slopes of Kubongsan, there are tombs from the Koguryŏ
period. A tomb traditionally held to be that of the Kojosŏn
ruler Wiman
is also located there.
Unsan is served by the Unsan Line railroad, and is also connected to neighboring districts by road.
Administrative divisions of North Korea
The administrative divisions of North Korea are organized into three hierarchical levels. Many of the units have equivalents in the system of South Korea. At the highest level are nine provinces, two directly governed cities, and three special administrative divisions. The second-level divisions...
, or county, in eastern North Pyongan province, North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
. Within the province, it borders Hyangsan
Hyangsan
Hyangsan is a kun, or county, in North Pyongan province, North Korea. It was established, following the division of Korea, from portions of Nyongbyon county. The area of Myohyangsan mountain, which stands on the county's border, has been developed as a tourist destination...
in the east, Kujang
Kujang
Kujang is a kun, or county, in southeastern North Pyongan province, North Korea. It was created in 1952 from part of Nyongbyon county, as part of a nationwide reorganization of local government...
and Nyongbyon
Nyongbyon
Nyongbyon-gun, alternatively Yongbyon-gun, is a county in North Pyongan province, North Korea. It borders the cities of Kaech'on and Anju, and covers an area of 504 km²....
in the south, and Tongchang
Tongchang
Tongchang is a kun, or county, in northeastern North Pyongan province, North Korea. It borders Pyoktong and Chagang's Usi county to the north, Unsan and Songwon to the east, Taechon to the south, and Changsong and Taegwan to the west....
and Taechon
Taechon
Taechon, also spelled Thaechon, is a kun, or county, in central North Pyongan province, North Korea. It borders Taegwan and Tongchang to the north, Unsan and Nyongbyon to the east, Pakchon and Unjon to the south, and Kusong to the west....
in the west. In addition, it is bordered by Chagang province to the east (Huichon
Huichon
Hŭich'ŏn is a city in the southern part of Chagang Province, North Korea. The population is 163,000 .-History:Hŭich'ŏn was formerly a small village, since the Korean War and an influx of government investment, it has become a base for electronics and machinery production for...
) and north (Songwon
Songwon
Songwon is a kun, or county, in southwestern Chagang province, North Korea. It borders Usi and Kopung counties to the north, Tongsin to the east, and Huichon to the south, as well as North Pyongan's Tongchang county to the west...
).
The Kuryong River (구룡강) has formed a steep valley and basin in the center of the county, into which various tributaries flow including the Uhyon River, Choyang River, Yonghung River, and Pungsanchon. The year-round average temperature is 8.2 °C, with a January average of -10.2 °C and an August average of 23.8 °C. The climate is fairly wet, with an average annual rainfall of 1400 mm. 73% of the county's area is forested, while only 15.5% is cultivated.
Of Unsan's cultivated land, most (70%) is dry-field, with numerous cattle farms; local crops include maize, soybeans, sweet potatoes, and vegetables as well as rice. Unsan leads the province in the production of sweet potatoes. Fruit is also raised. Gold and silver are mined, and factories produce textiles and ironware.
In Yongho-ri on the slopes of Kubongsan, there are tombs from the Koguryŏ
Goguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
period. A tomb traditionally held to be that of the Kojosŏn
Gojoseon
Gojoseon was an ancient Korean kingdom. Go , meaning "ancient," distinguishes it from the later Joseon Dynasty; Joseon, as it is called in contemporaneous writings, is also romanized as Chosŏn....
ruler Wiman
Wiman of Gojoseon
Wiman was a refugee from the State of Yan who established a kingdom in north-western Korea in the 2nd century BC. He was the first figure in the history of Korea to have been recorded in documents from the same time period.-Biography:...
is also located there.
Unsan is served by the Unsan Line railroad, and is also connected to neighboring districts by road.
See also
- Geography of North KoreaGeography of North KoreaNorth Korea is located in east Asia on the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. North Korea shares a border with three states, including China along the Amnok River, Russia along the Duman River, and South Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone...
- Administrative divisions of North KoreaAdministrative divisions of North KoreaThe administrative divisions of North Korea are organized into three hierarchical levels. Many of the units have equivalents in the system of South Korea. At the highest level are nine provinces, two directly governed cities, and three special administrative divisions. The second-level divisions...
- North Pyongan