Ganghwa-do
The island is separated from Gimpo (on the South Korean mainland) by a narrow channel spanned by two bridges, and from Kaesong (Gaeseong) in North Korea by the main channel of the Han River. It offers some of the closest views in the South of North Korean villages, which can be seen on clear days from less than two kilometers.
It is strategically located, controlling access to the river which runs through former Joseon and the present South Korean capital Seoul. Its fortifications were repeatedly attacked during the 19th century. With an area of 302.4 km (116.8 sq mi), it constitutes most of Ganghwa County (a division of Incheon). The island has a population of about 65,500, half of whom live in Ganghwa Town (Ganghwa-eup) in the northeast.
Name
Before the 10th century, the island went by various names, including Haegu (해구; 海口; lit. mouth of the sea), Hyeolgu (혈구; 穴口; lit. opening), Gangha (강하; 江下; lit. below river[s]).
In 940, during the Goryeo period, it received its current name, which means "beautiful [town by the] river".
Former romanizations include "Kang-hoa" and "Kang-hwa".
Geography
The island is in the estuary of Korea's Han River. It is the fourth-largest island in South Korea, with an area of 305.75 km (118.05 sq mi) and has a coastline of 106.5 km (66.2 mi). Over time, land reclamation projects for agricultural purposes have increased the island's size.
The island has a number of mountains. The highest one is Manisan in the south of the island, with a height of 469 m (1,539 ft). Also on the island are Jingangsan (진강산), Goryeosan, Nakjobong (낙조봉), Hyeolgusan (혈구산), and Byeollipsan (별립산).
The island was originally connected to the mainland, but became separate over time via erosion. Mudflats now surround the island.
Climate
| Climate data for Ganghwa (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1972–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 12.6 (54.7) |
17.4 (63.3) |
22.3 (72.1) |
29.2 (84.6) |
31.0 (87.8) |
33.2 (91.8) |
35.5 (95.9) |
35.8 (96.4) |
31.7 (89.1) |
28.3 (82.9) |
23.8 (74.8) |
16.0 (60.8) |
35.8 (96.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 1.7 (35.1) |
4.5 (40.1) |
9.8 (49.6) |
16.2 (61.2) |
21.4 (70.5) |
25.4 (77.7) |
27.6 (81.7) |
29.0 (84.2) |
25.5 (77.9) |
19.5 (67.1) |
11.5 (52.7) |
3.9 (39.0) |
16.3 (61.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −3.2 (26.2) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
4.6 (40.3) |
10.7 (51.3) |
16.0 (60.8) |
20.5 (68.9) |
23.7 (74.7) |
24.7 (76.5) |
20.2 (68.4) |
13.7 (56.7) |
6.3 (43.3) |
−0.9 (30.4) |
11.3 (52.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −8.1 (17.4) |
−5.8 (21.6) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
5.3 (41.5) |
11.0 (51.8) |
16.3 (61.3) |
20.6 (69.1) |
21.2 (70.2) |
15.6 (60.1) |
8.1 (46.6) |
1.2 (34.2) |
−5.7 (21.7) |
6.6 (43.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −22.5 (−8.5) |
−19.4 (−2.9) |
−11.3 (11.7) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
1.6 (34.9) |
6.9 (44.4) |
12.7 (54.9) |
12.5 (54.5) |
3.0 (37.4) |
−4.2 (24.4) |
−12.0 (10.4) |
−19.8 (−3.6) |
−22.5 (−8.5) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 15.6 (0.61) |
22.5 (0.89) |
31.4 (1.24) |
64.9 (2.56) |
110.9 (4.37) |
110.0 (4.33) |
355.6 (14.00) |
300.4 (11.83) |
131.5 (5.18) |
55.8 (2.20) |
46.3 (1.82) |
21.3 (0.84) |
1,266.2 (49.85) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 5.0 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 7.5 | 8.2 | 8.6 | 14.1 | 11.9 | 7.4 | 5.6 | 7.5 | 6.6 | 93.2 |
| Average snowy days | 7.3 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 5.1 | 20.6 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 63.6 | 61.0 | 61.4 | 62.4 | 68.6 | 75.1 | 82.8 | 79.9 | 73.8 | 68.9 | 67.8 | 65.4 | 69.2 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 186.2 | 186.5 | 217.0 | 221.7 | 235.3 | 208.5 | 153.0 | 184.9 | 203.8 | 214.3 | 166.0 | 171.8 | 2,349 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 58.7 | 61.8 | 58.9 | 59.0 | 54.8 | 50.0 | 38.6 | 47.7 | 57.4 | 63.3 | 55.7 | 55.6 | 54.6 |
| Source: Korea Meteorological Administration (percent sunshine 1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
History
The island was part of Ganghwa-hyeon in the early Goryeo period. It became part of Ganghwa-bu in 1377. It became part of Ganghwa County in Gyeonggi Province (Keiki-dō) in 1914, and remained this way until 1994, when it became part of Incheon Metropolitan City.
The island was the site of the 1866 French expedition to Korea, 1871 United States expedition to Korea and Battle of Ganghwa, and 1875 Ganghwa Island incident. Korea was then forced to sign the 1876 Treaty of Ganghwa, which was named for the island.
Transportation
In December 1969, the Ganghwa Bridge was constructed between the island and the mainland. The bridge was replaced in December 1997. In August 2002, the Ganghwa Choji Bridge opened.
Tourism
The island has stone tombs that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site series Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites.
Ganghwa Nadeulgil is a 20-trail walking tour, illustrating history from prehistory to the Joseon dynasty the mudflat ecology and avian migratory habitats.
Seongmodo is a level 10-mile (16 km) trail through a forest and the island's only beach, ending at a temple
Pungmul Market is a food market selling grain, vegetables, fruits, seafood, meat, fish, tofu and ginseng
Goryeogung is a palace site of Goryeo from 1232 to 1270 in Incheon.
Manisan is Ganghwa's highest mountain and home of Chamseongdan Altar, where Dangun Wanggeom reportedly performed ancestral rites
Festivals
- Goryeo Azalea Festival: Mid-April at Dolmen Square on Goryeo Mountain
- Ganghwa Salted Shrimp Festival: Early October at Oepo-ri dock
- Ganghwa Foundation Day Grand Festival: October 1–3 in Chamseongdan on Manisan
- Ganghwa Goryeo Ginseng Festival: Mid-October
Turnips
The island's turnip (Brassica rapa) has been cultivated for over a thousand years. Its moisture content is over 90 percent, and its main component is carbohydrate. The dark-purple, taproot vegetable has a mustardy scent and tastes like ginseng. The turnip's seeds and fully-grown vegetable are used in folk remedies and Oriental medicine. Its leaves have vitamins, and its roots contain tryptophan and glycyrrhizin. Said to have anticancer activity, the turnip helps cure skin diseases, digestive ailments, tuberculosis and respiratory disease with an anti-bacterial effect.
Notable people
- CoreJJ, birth name Jo Yong-in, professional League of Legends player
- All three members composing the K-Pop boygroup M.O.N.T (Bitsaeon, Narachan and Roda).