# Changnyeong County

Changnyeong County (Changnyeong-gun 창녕군) is a county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
In the early Three Kingdoms period, Changnyeong was the seat of Bihwa Gaya, a member of the Gaya confederacy which was later conquered by Silla.
The Nakdong River flows through the county. The Upo wetland, an important ecological resource and tourist attraction, occupies a portion of the river basin.
The county government is located in Changnyeong Town (창녕읍), the largest town and center of the county.
Famous people from Changnyeong include North Korean actress Song Hye-rim and the former mayor of Seoul Park Won-soon.

## Etymology

Changnyeong means "prosperous peace", from the Sino-Korean roots chang (창; 昌; lit. "prosperity") and nyeong (녕; 寧; lit. "peace").

## History

Yeongsan territory (영산현) was established in 1631. In 1637, Changnyeong territory joined Yeongsan territory (창녕현·영산현). On May 24, 1895, the first day of fifth lunar month, Changnyeong and Yeongsan were incorporated under Daegu as separate counties (대구부 창녕군·영산군). On August 4, 1896, Changnyeong and Yeongsan county were incorporated into South Gyeongsang province (경상남도 창녕군·영산군). On April 1, 1914, Yeongsan County (영산군, 靈山郡) and Changnyeong county (창녕군) were merged into 15 townships (면) - Eubnae (읍내면), Goam (고암면), Seonsan (성산면), Daehap (대합면), Ibang (이방면), Yueo (유어면), Daeji (대지면), Changnak (창락면), Namgok (남곡면), Jangma (장마면), Bugok (부곡면), Yeongsan (영산면), Gilgok (길곡면), Docheon (도천면), Gyeseong (계성면). In 1918, Eupnae (읍내면) was renamed as Changnyeong (창녕면). On April 1, 1936, Namgok (남곡면) was renamed as Namji (남지면). On July 1, 1955, Changnak township (창락면) is merged with Changnyeong township (창녕면). (14면). On January 1, 1960, Changnyeong township became Changnyeong town. On January 1, 1963, Namji township became Namji town. In 1971, The local town hall of Namji was established.

## Administrative divisions

Changnyeong is made up of two towns (읍), 12 townships (면) 139 villages (리) over an area of 532.72 km$^2$. Of the 28,466 households and 61,789 people living in Changnyeong county in 2011 27.1% were living in Changnyeong town (창녕읍), 18.4% living in Namji town (남지읍).
| Eup·Myeon | Korean | Hanja | Households | Population | Area | |
| Changnyeong-eup | 창녕읍 | 昌寧邑 | 6,923 | 16,723 | 61.42 | Changnyeong Township map |
| Namji-eup | 남지읍 | 南旨邑 | 5,052 | 11,343 | 55.23 | Changnyeong Township map |
| Goam-myeon | 고암면 | 高岩面 | 1,116 | 2,001 | 44.48 | Changnyeong Township map |
| Seongsan-myeon | 성산면 | 城山面 | 871 | 1,598 | 47.03 | Changnyeong Township map |
| Daehab-myeon | 대합면 | 大合面 | 2,002 | 4,016 | 46.56 | Changnyeong Township map |
| Ibang-myeon | 이방면 | 梨房面 | 1,375 | 2,794 | 46.60 | Changnyeong Township map |
| Yueo-myeon | 유어면 | 遊漁面 | 1,029 | 1,980 | 33.29 | Changnyeong Township map |
| Daeji-myeon | 대지면 | 大池面 | 1,129 | 2,450 | 17.87 | Changnyeong Township map |
| Kyeseong-myeon | 계성면 | 桂城面 | 1,293 | 2,618 | 27.86 | Changnyeong Township map |
| Yeongsan-myeon | 영산면 | 靈山面 | 2,689 | 6,047 | 29.36 | Changnyeong Township map |
| Jangma-myeon | 장마면 | 丈麻面 | 1,010 | 1,925 | 29.99 | Changnyeong Township map |
| Docheon-myeon | 도천면 | 都泉面 | 1,357 | 2,848 | 25.45 | Changnyeong Township map |
| Kilgok-myeon | 길곡면 | 吉谷面 | 738 | 1,486 | 27.57 | Changnyeong Township map |
| Bugok-myeon | 부곡면 | 釜谷面 | 1,882 | 3,960 | 27.57 | Changnyeong Township map |

## Tourism

* Upo wetland (우포 늪)
Upo wetland in Changnyeong county is the largest wetlands in all of Korea. These wetlands are estimated to be created about 140 million years ago. It spreads out over Changnyeong county's Yueo, Ibang, Daehap, Daeji and other townships, covering over 2,310,000 m$^2$, with a circumference area of 7.5 km. There are over 340 species of endangered plants such as the Euryale ferox, as well as 62 wild birds, and 28 fish located within the swamp.
Upo wetland was designated as a natural monument during the time of Japanese occupation in 1933. As soon as the Cultural Properties Protection Law was enacted on December 3, 1962, the wetland was designated as Cultural property 15 under the name of Changnyeong Swan habitat. However, on July 19, 1973, it was found that migratory bird numbers had decreased and therefore its status as a natural monument was cancelled. After another evaluation done on January 13, 2001, in order to determine the geographical scenic value of the biology living there, it was determined that the wetlands be considered natural preserve area number 524.
* Bugok Hot Springs (부곡온천)
In 1973 a hot spring resort was developed in Keomun village in the Bugok township (부곡면 거문리). In that year, after the natural hot springs was discovered under scenic Deokam Mountain (덕암산). The 48 geothermal wells that were discovered produce over 3,000 tons of water a day. In 1977년 Bugok was designated as a national tourist attraction with high quality hotels, recreational facilities, parks and forestation. One of the most famous hotel and spa is Bugok Hawaii, a resort style facility with a water and amusement park as well as a large hotel.
* Bugok Hawaii (부곡하와이)
* Mount Hwawang (화왕산)

## Educational Institutions

High Schools (고등학교)
* Namji High and Middle School 남지고등학교
* Yeongsan High and Middle School 영산고등학교
* Changnyeong High School 창녕고등학교
* Changnyeong Technical High School 창녕공업고등학교
* Changnyeong Daeseong High School 창녕대성고등학교
* Changnyeong Girl's High School 창녕여자고등학교
* Changnyeong Ogya High and Middle School 창녕옥야고등학교
* Changnyeong First High and Middle School 창녕제일고등학교
Middle Schools (중학교)
* Namji Girl's Middle School 남지여자중학교
* Namji Middle School 남지중학교
* Daeseong Middle School 대성중학교
* Bugok Middle School 부곡중학교
* Seongsan Middle School 성산중학교
* Shinchang Girl's Middle School 신창여자중학교
* Yeongsan Middle School 영산중학교
* Changnyeong Girl's Middle School 창녕여자중학교
* Changnyeong Ogya Middle School 창녕옥야중학교
* Changnyeopng Middle School 창녕중학교

## Twin towns – sister cities

Changnyeong is twinned with:
* Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture), Japan
* Changwon, South Korea
* Sunchang, South Korea
* Gunpo, South Korea
* Shangzhi, China