Incheon

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Coordinates: 37°29′N, 126°38′E

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This article is about the city. For the airport, see Incheon International Airport.
For other uses, see Incheon (disambiguation).
Incheon Metropolitan City
Image:Incheon-port.jpg
Port of Incheon.
Korean name
Hangul인천광역시
Hanja仁川廣域市
Revised RomanizationIncheon Gwang-yeoksi
McCune-ReischauerInch'ŏn Kwang'yŏkshi
Short name
Hangul인천
Revised RomanizationIncheon
McCune-ReischauerInch'ŏn
Statistics
Area964.53 km² (372 sq mi)
Population (2005 est.)2,628,000 [1]
Population density2,725/km² (7,058/sq mi)
GovernmentMetropolitan City
MayorAhn Sang-soo
Administrative divisions8 wards (Gu), 2 counties (Gun)
RegionSudogwon
DialectSeoul
Location map
Image:Incheon map2.png
Map of South Korea highlighting the city.

Incheon is a metropolitan city and a major seaport on the west coast of South Korea, near Seoul.

Human settlement at the location goes back to the Neolithic. In modern times Incheon became important because its location on an estuary made it a good harbor; when the port was founded in 1883, the city, then called Chemulpo (hangul: 제물포, hanja: 濟物浦, revised: Jemulpo), had a population of only 4,700. Incheon is now home to almost 2.5 million people, and is also under the control of one of the two free economic zone authorities in Korea, aimed at attracting foreign investment; the city aims to turn itself into a financial and corporate hub along with the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority.

The city boundaries include an area of 964.53 km², of which 21 percent is rice paddies and another 44 percent is forested.

Incheon is regarded as part of the greater Seoul metropolitan area due to its close proximity to the capital, and the fact that the Seoul Metropolitan Subway and the Incheon Subway systems are linked. Incheon is, however, a major city in its own right and is a separate jurisdiction from Seoul.

Contents

[edit] History

The first historical record of the Incheon area dates back to 475 A.D. during the reign of King Jangsu of Goguryeo by the name of Michuhol. The area underwent several name changes with successive kingdoms and dynasties. The current name was established in 1413 A.D. during the reign of King Taejong of Joseon. The name Jemulpo was not widely used until the opening of the port in 1883. [1] [2]

The city was the site of a Japanese POW camp during World War II.

On September 15, 1950, during the Korean War, Incheon was the site of the Battle of Inchon, when United States troops landed to relieve pressure on the Pusan Perimeter and to launch a United Nations offensive northward. The USS Inchon (MCS-12) was named after the tide-turning battle that ensued.

Incheon was originally part of Gyeonggi Province, but was granted Directly Governed (now Metropolitan) City status on July 1, 1981.

[edit] Education

On February 27, 2007, Incheon declared itself an "English City," and inaugurated the "Incheon Free English Zone" program. The goal of the program is to make Incheon as much an English speaking city as Hong Kong and Singapore are. This is for the ultimate purpose of establishing Incheon as a commercial and business hub of northeast Asia (see Free Economic Zone below). The official slogan of the program is "Smile with English."

[edit] Higher education

Incheon is home to several colleges and universities:

See also: Category:Universities and colleges in Incheon

[edit] Sports

The city is home to K-League soccer team Incheon United, National League soccer team Incheon Korail, the KBL basketball team Inchon ET Land Blackslamers, and KBO baseball team SK Wyverns. Incheon was also one of the venues for the 2002 Football World Cup.

On April 19, 2007, Incheon was selected as the host city for the 2014 Asian Games, beating out New Delhi. [2]

Munhak Sports Complex is the location of the baseball stadium and soccer stadium of their respective pro teams.

[edit] Transportation

Incheon is a major domestic and international transportation hub for Korea.

Image:Incheonairport-arexstation-jpgver.jpg
View of the station at Incheon International Airport.

[edit] Air

Incheon International Airport, a regional air hub, is South Korea's primary international airport.
There was a total of 160,843 flights (157,134 international, 3,709 domestic) to and from Incheon International Airport in 2005, an average of 441 flights (431 international, 10 domestic) daily. 59.7% of the flights were serviced by Korea’s two national carriers, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, with foreign carriers servicing the remaining 40.3%. A breakdown by destination is as follows : China 45,125 flights, 28.1% of total, Japan 32,352, 20.1%, Southeast Asia 30,567, 19%, Americas 27,916, 17.4%, Europe 11,082, 6.9%, Domestic 3,709, 2.3%, Oceania 2,811, 1.7%, others 7,281, 4.5%.

[edit] Sea

Incheon Sea Port is second largest in Korea after Pusan (also known as Busan) Sea port.
The International Passenger Terminal located at the port offers ferries to four cities in China: Dalian, Qingdao, Tianjin, and Weihai. There are also ferries to Incheon's outlying islands as well as Jeju Island and Baekryung Island.

[edit] Buses

Incheon Bus Terminal, located at its eponymous subway stop, offers express bus transportation to all parts of Korea. Many city bus lines offer transportation within city limits as well as to the neighboring cities of Bucheon, Gimpo and Siheung.
Many BRT lines offer transportation between Seoul and Incheon.

[edit] Train

Train service to Seoul Station is offered by Seoul's subway Line 1. The line has 11 stations within Incheon and connects to the Incheon Subway at Bupyeong station.
Rapid trains to Yongsan Station in Seoul depart from Dong Incheon station, but stop at only the major stations.
Airport Rail was opened for traffice between Gimpo Airport and Incheon International Airport in March 2007. The line has 6 stations on 40.3 km of track and is operated by Airport Railroad Corporation. It connects to the Incheon Subway at Gyeang station and Seoul Metropolitan Subway at Gimpo Airport station. It will be extended to Seoul station by the end of 2009. The extended line has 4 stations on 20.7 km, and the other line (existing line) will have 2 more stations.

[edit] Subway

Main article: Incheon Subway

The Incheon Subway is a single subway line serving the South Korean city of Incheon. It connects to the Seoul Metropolitan Subway system at Bupyeong station. The line has 22 stations on 24.6 km of track. The Incheon subway is operated by the Incheon Rapid Transit Corporation(IRTC).
Three more lines are planned.
First, IRTC plans to construct Subway Line 2, will be from Oryu to Incheon Grand Park (exact route undetermined).
Second, Korail is constructing a new subway line from Incheon staion to Suwon station by 2013. It has 10 stations within Incheon.
Third, SMRT (one of three operating companies of Seoul Metropolitan Subway), plans to extend Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 7 to Bupyeong-gu office by 2010 and provide transfers to the Incheon Subway system. It has 3 stations within Incheon including Bupyeong-gu office station.

[edit] Free Economic Zone

Incheon Free Ecomonomic Zone(IFEZ) consists of 3 different Incheon City districts with total area of 51,739 acres: Songdo, Cheongna and Yeongjong. Its goal is to transform these areas into the logistics, international business and leisure & tourism hub of the Northeast Asian region.
Incheon Free Economic Zone(IFEZ) refers to the areas designed as centers for international business within Incheon, a city of thriving business and commerce in Korea.
The term 'Free Economic Zone' means the zone, which is developed with the aim of improving the business environment for foreign-invested enterprises and the living conditions for foreigners (Free Economic Zone Law in Korea, Article 23). In other words, the zone is a specially designated area to create the most favorable business and living environment where foreign nationals can live and invest freely and conveniently.
� Incheon Free Economic Zone, the first in Korea, was officially designated by the Korean government in August 2003. The Korean government fully supports free international business and the standards of company management demanded by today's global market."

  • The Free Economic Zone (FEZ) is a self-contained living and business district featuring air and sea transportation, logistics complex, international business center, financial services, residences, schools and hospitals, shopping and entertainment.
  • The Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ): Songdo Area, Yeongjong Area, and Cheongna Area were designated as Korea’s first Free Economic Zone in August 2003.
  • Songdo International City: a Mecca for international business and high-tech industry
  • Yeongjong Island: a hub of international logistics, tourism and leisure
  • Cheongna: global entertainment and theme park

[edit] Songdo International City

Songdo International city, whose development began in 1994, is rapidly growing to be a global city. It will become the center of diverse international businesses, a hub city for international trade, an international city of knowledge-based technologies & eco-friendly environment.

  • Development size: 13.162 acres
  • Planned population: 252,000 persons
  • Duration: 2002~2020


Incheon Tower will be located on Construction Area 11. And, Incheon Bridge is a big huge bridge for connection of Songdo International City and Yeongjong Island. The bridge will be 12.3 km (7.4 mile) long.

[edit] International Business Center

This project consists of the convention center called Songdo Convencia, the North East Asia Trade Tower, many office buildings and a golf course on 1,364 acres. The Budget of this project is 24 billion US dollars. The host of it is NSIC, a joint venture company between Gail & POSCO.

Songdo Convencia is under construction since March 2005 and will be completed by the biginning of 2009. NEATT is also under construction since February 2007 and will be completed partially by end of 2009. It is 65-floor, 300 meters. And, the Central Park is also under construction. Its size is 10% area of Songdo International City. A museum and a botanical garden will be located in the park, and a artificial lake will be made. It is due to open in June 2009.

[edit] Incheon Tower

Incheon Tower will be located in Construction Area 11. It is proposed 151-floor, 610 meter tower. It will be the third world's tallest building when it is complete after the Burj Dubai (818 m) and the Russia Tower (612 m).

[edit] Incheon Bridge

Incheon Bridge is a large bridge that will connect Songdo International City and Yeongjong Island upon completion. The bridge will be 12.3 km (7.4 mile) long, and will be second longest bridge in Asia after Penang Bridge in Malaysia, 13.5km.

[edit] Yeongjong Island

Yeongjong International City’ 34,183 acres centering on the Incheon International Airport will be developed as an eco-friendly airport city by 2020. It will be a functional city with residential amenities for airport staff and visitors, as well as logistics, commercial and distribution facilities. Yeongjong will provide an optimal environment for logistic, tourism and leisure in conjunction with the Incheon International Airport.

  • Development size: 34,183 acres
  • Planned population: 144,800 persons
  • Duration: 2002~2016

[edit] Cheongna

The Cheongna district, on the mainland adjacent Yeongjong Island, will feature a beautiful and pleasant residential area, entertainment, sports, a floriculture complex and a business area specially designed for international finance. Incheon’s geographic advantages along with single day travel routes within Northeast Asia, will transform Cheongna into an international tourism destination.

  • Development Size: 4,394 acres
  • Planned population: 90,000 persons
  • Duration: 2004~2008

[edit] Administrative divisions

Image:Map Incheon-gwangyeoksi.png
Administrative divisions of Incheon.

Incheon is divided into 8 wards ("gu") and 2 counties ("gun").

  • Bupyeong-gu (부평구; 富平區)
  • Dong-gu (동구; 東區)
  • Gyeyang-gu (계양구; 桂陽區)
  • Jung-gu (중구; 中區)
  • Nam-gu (남구; 南區)
  • Namdong-gu (남동구; 南洞區)
  • Seo-gu (서구; 西區)
  • Yeonsu-gu (연수구; 延壽區)
  • Ganghwa-gun (강화군; 江華郡)
  • Ongjin-gun (옹진군; 甕津郡)

[edit] Points of interest

Image:Korea-us100.jpg
Monument to 100 years of friendship between Korea and the USA in Jayu Park.

Bupyeong Station is where the Seoul Subway Line 1 and Incheon subway line intersect. There is a large under ground shopping center there mostly selling trendy women's clothing and cell phones. Above ground, there are many restaurants, additional shops, and a Lotte Mart.

A number of Korea's western islands, including Ganghwa Island, Yeongjong Island, and Baengnyeong Island are also administered by Incheon. Baengnyeong Island is South Korea's westernmost point.

Jayu (Freedom) Park- The statue of General MacArthur as well as a memorial to the centennial anniversary of U.S. and Korea relations is located within.

Korea's only official Chinatown is located in Incheon, nearby Jayu Park. [7]

Wolmido- Location of Green Beach, one of the landing sites for MacArthur's invasion force. It is now a local tourist attraction with a boardwalk, an amusement park and many raw fish restaurants.

Incheon Landing Operation Memorial Hall- A plaza and small museum dedicated to the Landing. Weapons and artifacts from the war and operation are displayed.

Incheon government have many plans for reforming of Incheon's old town.

[edit] People from Incheon

[edit] Sister cities

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://kosis.nso.go.kr/cgi-bin/sws_888.cgi?ID=DT_1IN0001&IDTYPE=3&A_LANG=2&FPUB=4&SELITEM=0
  2. ^ https://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2007/04/18/200704180036.asp

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Incheon
Wards (Gu)Bupyeong-gu · Dong-gu · Gyeyang-gu · Jung-gu · Namdong-gu · Seo-gu · Nam-gu · Yeonsu-gu ·
CountiesGanghwa · Ongjin
v • d • e
Regions and administrative divisions of South Korea
RegionsCapital area · Gwandong (Yeongdong · Yeongseo) · Hoseo · Honam (Jeju) · Yeongnam
ProvincesChungbuk · Chungnam · Gangwon · Gyeonggi · Gyeongbuk · Gyeongnam · Jeonbuk · Jeonnam
Autonomous provinceJeju
Special citySeoul
Metropolitan citiesBusan · Daegu · Daejeon · Gwangju · Incheon · Ulsan
bg:Инчхън

da:Incheon de:Incheon et:Incheon es:Inchon eo:Inĉon eu:Incheon fr:Incheon zh-classical:仁川 ko:인천광역시 io:Incheon id:Incheon it:Incheon lv:Inčona lt:Inčonas nl:Incheon ja:仁川広域市 no:Incheon nn:Incheon pl:Inch'ŏn pt:Incheon ru:Инчхон sk:Inčchon fi:Incheon sv:Inchon vi:Incheon tr:İncheon zh:仁川廣域市

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