Han River (Korea) Size report
The Han River (Hangang River) is a major river in the Korean Peninsula and the fourth-longest river in the Korean Peninsula, after the Yalu River, the Tumen River, and the Nakdong River. The Han River consists of the Nam Han River from Mount Daedok (also known as Mount Taebaek) and the North Han River (Kumgang River) from Mount Kumgang in North Korea. The two main rivers, the Namhangang and the Buchanan meet in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, and at this time, it is called the Han River.
The Han River flows through Seoul, the capital of South Korea, becoming its most important river, and finally empties into the Yellow Sea. The mouth of the Han River has extensive beaches, where the DMZ along the coast can be seen dividing South Korea and North Korea.
The governments of North Korea and South Korea have each developed rivers within their borders. There are many river ports and ferry ports along the coast. Let's find out more facts about the location and size of the Han River.
Size And Description Of The Han River
The Han River is a large river originating from the two smaller rivers in the eastern mountains of the Korean peninsula. In South Korea, the Han River is formed by the confluence of the South and North Han Rivers, and the Han River Basin is also joined by tributaries such as the Imjingang River. The Nam Han River originates from the western slope of the Taebaek Mountains and flows from north to southwest. It joins with the North Han River 30 kilometers east of Seoul, continues to flow northwestward, and flows into the Yellow Sea near Ganghwa Island.
The Han River and its surrounding areas are important in Korean history. However, the Han River is no longer actively used for shipping purposes. Because its mouth is located on the border between North and South Korea, civilians are forbidden to enter. And North Korea and South Korea have each drawn a maritime demarcation line in the Yellow Sea.
Han River Length And Basin Area
The total length of the Han River (including its tributaries, the Nam Han River, and the North Han River) is approximately 514 kilometers (319 miles), with a drainage area of 35,770 square kilometers. Although it is not a long river, the lower Hangang is remarkably broad for such a relatively short river. Within Seoul city limits, the river is more than 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) wide, and 320 kilometers (200 miles) are navigable.
| Quick Facts | Size |
|---|---|
| total length | 514 km (319 mi) |
| basin area | 35,770 sq km (22,226 sq mi) |
| widest point | 1 km (0.62 mi) |
| navigable length | 320 km (200 mi) |
Hydrology
The mouth of the Han River forms a drowning valley in the shape of a trumpet. Although the Han River is not particularly long compared to other rivers in the world, for such a short river, the Han River has quite a wide channel; Koreans build many large dams, which have a huge impact on the flow of water in the Han River basin. The Han River has a large flow and freezes in winter. The upper reaches are rich in hydraulic resources, with hydropower stations, and the middle and lower reaches are vast and are important agricultural areas.
Final Words
The human civilization in the Han River Basin has a long history. It is the foundation of the Korean people's life and the most representative resting space for the citizens of Seoul. The Han River has been a valuable river transportation route since ancient times, especially during the Joseon Dynasty. Various agricultural products are grown in its watershed of more than 26,000 square kilometers; the water for civil and industrial use in cities along the coast is drawn from this river.
