Ganghwa Island

Name

Before the 10th century, the island went by various names, including Haegu (), Hyeolgu (), Gangha ().

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 South Korea's fourth-largest island, with an area of 305.75 km2, and has a coastline of 106.5 km. Over time, land reclamation projects for agricultural purposes have increased the island's size.

The island has a number of mountains. The tallest is Manisan, in the south of the island, with a height of 469 m. Also on the island are Jingangsan (), Goryeosan, Nakjobong (), Hyeolgusan (), and Byeollipsan ().

The island was originally connected to the mainland, but became separate over time via erosion. Mudflats now surround the island.

Climate

| Jan record high C = 12.6 | Feb record high C = 17.4 | Mar record high C = 22.3 | Apr record high C = 29.2 | May record high C = 31.0 | Jun record high C = 33.2 | Jul record high C = 35.5 | Aug record high C = 35.8 | Sep record high C = 31.7 | Oct record high C = 28.3 | Nov record high C = 23.8 | Dec record high C = 16.0 | year record high C = 35.8

| Jan record low C = -22.5 | Feb record low C = -19.4 | Mar record low C = -11.3 | Apr record low C = -4.4 | May record low C = 1.6 | Jun record low C = 6.9 | Jul record low C = 12.7 | Aug record low C = 12.5 | Sep record low C = 3.0 | Oct record low C = -4.2 | Nov record low C = -12.0 | Dec record low C = -19.8 | year record low C = -22.5

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 so until 1994, when it became part of Incheon Metropolitan City.

The island was the site of the 1866 French expedition to Korea, the 1871 United States expedition to Korea, the Battle of Ganghwa, and the 1875 Ganghwa Island incident with Japan. In 1876 Korea was forced to sign with Japan the Treaty of Ganghwa, which was named for the island.

Transportation

In 1969, the was constructed between the island and the mainland. The bridge was replaced in 1997. The opened in 2002.

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 the mudflat ecology and avian migratory habitats from prehistory to the Joseon dynasty.

Seongmodo is a level 10 mi 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 tallest mountain and home to Chamseongdan Altar, where Dangun Wanggeom reportedly performed ancestral rites.

Festivals

• Goryeo Azalea Festival: Mid-April at Dolmen Square on Goryeo Mountain
• : Early October at Oepo-ri dock
• Ganghwa Foundation Day Grand Festival: October 1–3 in Chamseongdan on Manisan
• Ganghwa Goryeo Ginseng Festival: Mid-October

{{anchor|Regional specialties}}Turnips

The island's turnip (Brassica rapa) has been cultivated for over 1,000 years. Its moisture content is over 90% and its main component is carbohydrate. The dark-purple, taproot vegetable has a mustardy scent and tastes like ginseng. Its seeds and the fully grown vegetable are used in folk remedies and Oriental medicine. Its leaves have vitamins, and its roots contain tryptophan and glycyrrhizin. Said to prevent cancer, the turnip helps cure skin diseases, digestive ailments, tuberculosis, and respiratory disease with an anti-bacterial effect.

Notable people

• Ahn Hak-sop, former spy for North Korea, now political activist against American military presence in South Korea.
• CoreJJ, birth name Jo Yong-in, professional League of Legends player

References

• Ganghwa Tourism

Sources

• .

References

1. "Pants and propaganda: Photos from Korean border area show life in North Korea".
2. 손, 승호. "강화도 (江華島)". [[Academy of Korean Studies]].
3. link. Korea Meteorological Administration
4. 김, 원모. "병인양요 (丙寅洋擾)". [[Academy of Korean Studies]].
5. 김, 원모. "신미양요 (辛未洋擾)". [[Academy of Korean Studies]].
6. Neff, Robert. (2020-09-19). "The Un'yo Incident of 1875 (part one)".
7. 이, 원순. "강화도조약 (江華島條約)". [[Academy of Korean Studies]].
8. (11 March 2018). "Hidden trails that highlight Korean beauty".
9. "Chamseongdan Altar (강화 참성단)".
10. 정, 은주. (March 17, 2020). "황홀한 진분홍빛 꽃길을 걷다, 강화 고려산 진달래 군락지> 여행기사 {{!}} 추천! 가볼만한곳:대한민국 구석구석".
11. "축제와 행사".
12. (June 7, 2018). "[10월] 강화도 새우젓축제".
13. (June 7, 2018). "[10월] 강화 개천대축제".
14. "강화도 순무".
15. "순무".
16. (30 January 2021). "They're Flocking to America to Make a Fortune Playing Video Games". The New York Times.