List of South Korean regions by GDP
By GDP ( PPP,2016 )
Table:
Rank

Region

GDP in mil.[4]

Comparable country[5]

1

Gyeonggi

$425,716

Hong Kong

2

Seoul

$408,265

Austria

3

Chungnam

$133,917

Guatemala

4

Gyeongnam

$123,247

Ghana

5

Gyeongbuk

$112,979

Ghana

6

Busan

$92,838

Panama

7

Incheon

$92,453

Panama

8

Ulsan

$81,448

Costa Rica

9

Jeonnam

$77,987

Bolivia

10

Chungbuk

$64,166

Macau

11

Daegu

$56,793

El Salvador

12

Jeonbuk

$53,600

El Salvador

13

Gangwon

$47,688

Laos

14

Daejeon

$41,071

Bosnia and Herzegovina

15

Gwangju

$38,496

Estonia

16

Jeju

$19,335

Haiti

17

Sejong

$12,764

Togo

–

South Korea

$1,934,033

Turkey

Leveraging the table and the context paragraphs listed.

Give the answer to the question: What is the capital of the region of South Korea with a GDP similar to Guatemala ? Provide just your answer in a JSON object {"answer": "YOUR ANSWER"}. Use only the information given.

Gyeonggi Province ( Korean : 경기도 , Korean pronunciation : [ kjʌŋ.ɡi.do ] ) is the most populous province in South Korea . Its name , Gyeonggi , means the area surrounding the capital . Thus Gyeonggi-do can be translated as province surrounding Seoul . The provincial capital is Suwon . Seoul - South Korea 's largest city and national capital - is in the heart of the province but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946 . Incheon - South Korea 's third-largest city - is on the coast of the province and has been similarly administered as a provincial-level metropolitan city since 1981 . The three jurisdictions are collectively referred to as Sudogwon and cover 11,730 km2 ( 4,530 sq mi ) , with a combined population of 25.5 million - amounting to over half of the entire population of South Korea .
Hong Kong ( /ˌhɒŋˈkɒŋ/ ( listen ) ; Chinese : 香港 , Cantonese : [ hœ́ːŋ.kɔ̌ːŋ ] ( listen ) ) , officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People 's Republic of China ( HKSAR ) , is a city and special administrative region on the eastern side of the Pearl River estuary in southern China . With over 7.4 million people of various nationalities [ d ] in a 1,104-square-kilometre ( 426 sq mi ) territory , Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places in the world . Hong Kong became a colony of the British Empire after Qing Empire ceded Hong Kong Island at the end of the First Opium War in 1842 . The colony expanded to the Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 after the Second Opium War , and was further extended when Britain obtained a 99-year lease of the New Territories in 1898 . The territory was returned to China in 1997 . As a special administrative region , Hong Kong maintains separate governing and economic systems from that of mainland China under the principle of one country , two systems . Originally a sparsely populated area of farming and fishing villages , the territory has become one of the world 's most significant financial centres and commercial ports . It is the world 's tenth-largest exporter and ninth-largest importer . As one of the world 's leading international financial centres , Hong Kong has a major capitalist service economy characterised by low taxation and free trade , and the currency , Hong Kong dollar , is the eighth most traded currency in the world . Hong Kong hosts the largest concentration of ultra high-net-worth individuals of any city in the world . Although the city has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world , there is severe income inequality among its residents . Hong Kong is a highly developed territory and ranks fourth on the UN Human Development Index .
Seoul ( /soʊl/ , like soul ; Korean : 서울 [ sʌ.ul ] ( listen ) ; lit . Capital ) , officially the Seoul Special City , is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea . Seoul forms the heart of the Seoul Capital Area . Ranked as an alpha world city , Seoul was the world 's 4th largest metropolitan economy with a GDP of US $ 635 billion in 2014 after Tokyo , New York City and Los Angeles . International visitors generally reach Seoul via AREX from the Incheon International Airport , notable for having been rated the best airport for nine consecutive years ( 2005-2013 ) by the Airports Council International . In 2015 , it was rated Asia 's most livable city with the second highest quality of life globally by Arcadis , with the GDP per capita ( PPP ) in Seoul being around $ 40,000 . In 2017 , the cost of living in Seoul was ranked 6th globally . In 2018 , Seoul 's real estate market was ranked 5th in the world for the price of apartments in the downtown center. , Seoul was one of the host cities for the official tournament of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan . With major technology hubs centered in Gangnam and Digital Media City , the Seoul Capital Area is home to the headquarters of 15 Fortune Global 500 companies , including Samsung , LG , and Hyundai . Ranked seventh in the Global Power City Index and Global Financial Centres Index , the metropolis exerts a major influence in global affairs as one of the five leading hosts of global conferences . Seoul has hosted the 1986 Asian Games , 1988 Summer Olympics , 2002 FIFA World Cup , and more recently the 2010 G-20 Seoul summit . Seoul was the capital of various Korean kingdoms , including Baekje , Joseon , and the Korean Empire and served as the secondary capital of Goryeo .
Austria ( /ˈɒstriə/ ( listen ) , /ˈɔːs-/ ; German : Österreich [ ˈøːstɐʁaɪ̯ç ] ( listen ) ) , officially the Republic of Austria ( German : Republik Österreich , listen ( help·info ) ) , is a landlocked East Alpine country in the southern part of Central Europe . It is composed of nine federated states ( Bundesländer ) , one of which is Vienna , Austria 's capital and its largest city . It is bordered by Germany to the northwest , Czech Republic to the north , Slovakia to the northeast , Hungary to the east , Slovenia and Italy to the south , and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west . Austria occupies an area of 83,879 km2 ( 32,386 sq mi ) and has a population of nearly 9 million people . While German is the country 's official language , many Austrians communicate informally in a variety of Bavarian dialects . Austria initially emerged as a margraviate around 976 and developed into a duchy and archduchy . In the 16th century , Austria started serving as the heart of the Habsburg Monarchy and the junior branch of the House of Habsburg - one of the most influential royal dynasties in history . As an archduchy , it was a major component and administrative centre of the Holy Roman Empire . Early in the 19th century , Austria established its own empire , which became a great power and the leading force of the German Confederation but pursued its own course independently of the other German states . Following the Austro-Prussian War and the compromise with Hungary , the Dual Monarchy was established . Austria was involved in World War I under Emperor Franz Joseph following the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand , the presumptive successor to the Austro-Hungarian throne . After the defeat and the dissolution of the Monarchy , the Republic of German-Austria was proclaimed with the intent of the union with Germany , which eventually failed because of the Allied Powers and the state remained unrecognized .
South Chungcheong Province ( Korean : 충청남도 , Chungcheongnam-do ) , also known as Chungnam , is a province of South Korea . South Chungcheong has a population of 2,059,871 ( 2014 ) and has a geographic area of 8,204 km2 ( 3,168 sq mi ) located in the Hoseo region in the southwest of the Korean Peninsula . South Chungcheong borders the provinces of Gyeonggi to the north , North Chungcheong , Sejong Special Autonomous City , and Daejeon Metropolitan City to the east , and North Jeolla to the south . Hongseong County is the capital and Cheonan is the largest city of South Chungcheong , with other major cities including Asan , Seosan , and Dangjin . Daejeon was the largest city of South Chungcheong until becoming a Metropolitan City in 1989 , and the historic capital until the provincial government was relocated to Hongseong in 2012 . South Chungcheong was established in 1896 from the province of Chungcheong , one of the Eight Provinces of Korea , consisting of the southwestern half of the territory . South Chungcheong was known as Chūsei-nan Prefecture during the Japanese Colonial Period from 1910 and became part of South Korea following the division of Korea in 1945 .
Guatemala ( /ˌɡwɑːtəˈmɑːlə/ ( listen ) GWAH-tə-MAH-lə ; Spanish : [ gwateˈmala ] ( listen ) ) , officially the Republic of Guatemala ( Spanish : República de Guatemala ) , is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west , Belize and the Caribbean to the northeast , Honduras to the east , El Salvador to the southeast and the Pacific Ocean to the south . With an estimated population of around 17.2 million , it is the most populous country in Central America . Guatemala is a representative democracy ; its capital and largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción , also known as Guatemala City . The territory of modern Guatemala once formed the core of the Maya civilization , which extended across Mesoamerica . Most of the country was conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century , becoming part of the viceroyalty of New Spain . Guatemala attained independence in 1821 as part of the Federal Republic of Central America , which dissolved by 1841 . From the mid- to late-19th century , Guatemala experienced chronic instability and civil strife . Beginning in the early 20th century , it was ruled by a series of dictators backed by the United Fruit Company and the United States government . In 1944 , the authoritarian leader Jorge Ubico was overthrown by a pro-democratic military coup , initiating a decade-long revolution that led to sweeping social and economic reforms . A U.S.-backed military coup in 1954 ended the revolution and installed a dictatorship . From 1960 to 1996 , Guatemala endured a bloody civil war fought between the US-backed government and leftist rebels , including genocidal massacres of the Maya population perpetrated by the military . Since a United Nations-negotiated peace accord , Guatemala has witnessed both economic growth and successful democratic elections , though it continues to struggle with high rates of poverty , crime , drug trade , and instability .
South Gyeongsang Province ( Korean : 경상남도 , romanized : Gyeongsangnam-do , Korean pronunciation : [ kjʌŋ.saŋ.nam.do ] ) is a province in the southeast of South Korea . The provincial capital is at Changwon . It is adjacent to the major metropolitan center and port of Busan . There is UNESCO World Heritage Site Haeinsa , a Buddhist temple that houses the Tripitaka Koreana and attracts many tourists . Automobile and petrochemical factories are largely concentrated along the southern part of the province , extending from Ulsan through Busan , Changwon , and Jinju .
Ghana ( /ˈɡɑːnə/ ( listen ) ) , officially the Republic of Ghana , is a country located along the Gulf of Guinea and Atlantic Ocean , in the subregion of West Africa . Spanning a land mass of 238,535 km2 ( 92,099 sq mi ) , Ghana is bordered by the Ivory Coast in the west , Burkina Faso in the north , Togo in the east , and the Gulf of Guinea and Atlantic Ocean in the south . Ghana means Warrior King in the Soninke language . The first permanent state in the territory of present-day Ghana dates back to the 11th century . Numerous kingdoms and empires emerged over the centuries , of which the most powerful was the Kingdom of Ashanti . Beginning in the 15th century , numerous European powers contested the area for trading rights , with the British ultimately established control of the coast by the late 19th century . Following over a century of native resistance , Ghana 's current borders were established by the 1900s as the British Gold Coast . It became independent of the United Kingdom on 6 March 1957 . Ghana 's population of approximately 30 million spans a variety of ethnic , linguistic and religious groups . According to the 2010 census , 71.2% of the population was Christian , 17.6% was Muslim , and 5.2% practised traditional faiths . Its diverse geography and ecology ranges from coastal savannahs to tropical rain forests . Ghana is a unitary constitutional democracy led by a president who is both head of state and head of the government .
North Gyeongsang Province ( Korean : 경상북도 ; RR : Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Korean pronunciation : [ kjʌŋ.saŋ.buk̚.t͈o ] ) , also known as Gyeongbuk ( Korean pronunciation : [ kjʌŋ.buk̚ ] ) , is a province in eastern South Korea . The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province , and remained a province of Korea until the country 's division in 1945 , then became part of South Korea . Daegu was the capital of North Gyeongsang Province between 1896 and 1981 , but has not been a part of the province since 1981 . In 2016 , the provincial capital moved from Daegu to Andong . The area of the province is 19,030 square kilometres ( 7,350 sq mi ) , 19.1% of the total area of South Korea .
Busan ( Korean pronunciation : [ pusan ] ) , formerly romanized as Pusan and now officially Busan Metropolitan City , is South Korea 's second most-populous city after Seoul , with a population of over 3.5 million inhabitants . It is the economic , cultural and educational center of southeastern South Korea , with its port - Korea 's busiest and the fifth-busiest in the world [ a ] - only about 190 kilometers ( 120 mi ) from the Japanese islands of Kyushu and Honshu . The surrounding Southeast Economic Zone ( including Ulsan and South Gyeongsang ) is South Korea 's largest industrial area . Busan is divided into 15 major administrative districts and a single county , together housing a population of approximately 3.6 million . The full metropolitan area , the Southeastern Maritime Industrial Region , has a population of approximately 8 million . The most densely built-up areas of the city are situated in a number of narrow valleys between the Nakdong and the Suyeong Rivers , with mountains separating most of the districts . The Nakdong is Korea 's longest river and Busan 's Haeundae Beach is also the country 's largest . Busan is a center for international conventions , hosting APEC in 2005 . It is also a center for sports tournaments in Korea , having hosted the 2002 Asian Games and FIFA World Cup . It is home to the world 's largest department store , the Shinsegae Centum City . Busan was added to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Film in December 2014 .
Panama ( /ˈpænəmɑː/ ( listen ) PAN-ə-mah , /pænəˈmɑː/ pan-ə-MAH ; Spanish : Panamá IPA : [ panaˈma ] ( listen ) ) , officially the Republic of Panama ( Spanish : República de Panamá ) , is a transcontinental country in Central America and South America , bordered by Costa Rica to the west , Colombia to the southeast , the Caribbean Sea to the north , and the Pacific Ocean to the south . The capital and largest city is Panama City , whose metropolitan area is home to nearly half the country 's 4 million people . Panama was inhabited by indigenous tribes before Spanish colonists arrived in the 16th century . It broke away from Spain in 1821 and joined the Republic of Gran Colombia , a union of Nueva Granada , Ecuador , and Venezuela . After Gran Colombia dissolved in 1831 , Panama and Nueva Granada eventually became the Republic of Colombia . With the backing of the United States , Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 , allowing the construction of the Panama Canal to be completed by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914 . The 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties led to the transfer of the Canal from the United States to Panama on December 31 , 1999 . Revenue from canal tolls continues to represent a significant portion of Panama 's GDP , although commerce , banking , and tourism are major and growing sectors . It is regarded as a high-income country . In 2018 Panama ranked 66th in the world in terms of the Human Development Index . In 2018 , Panama was ranked seventh-most competitive economy in Latin America , according to the World Economic Forum 's Global Competitiveness Index . Covering around 40 percent of its land area , Panama 's jungles are home to an abundance of tropical plants and animals - some of them found nowhere else on earth .
Incheon ( Korean : 인천 ; Hanja : 仁川 ; Korean pronunciation : [ intɕʰʌn ] ; McCune-Reischauer romanization Inchŏn ; literally kind river ) , officially the Incheon Metropolitan City ( 인천광역시 ) , is a city located in northwestern South Korea , bordering Seoul and Gyeonggi to the east . Inhabited since the Neolithic , Incheon was home to just 4,700 people when it became an international port in 1883 . Today , about 3 million people live in the city , making it South Korea 's third most-populous city after Seoul and Busan . The city 's growth has been assured in modern times with the development of its port due to its natural advantages as a coastal city and its proximity to the South Korean capital . It is part of the Seoul Capital Area , along with Seoul itself and Gyeonggi Province , forming the world 's fourth largest metropolitan area by population . Incheon has since led the economic development of Korea by opening its port to the outside world , ushering in the modernization of Korea as a center of industrialization . In 2003 , the city was designated as Korea 's first free economic zone . Since then , large local companies and global enterprises have increasingly invested in the Incheon Free Economic Zone , including Samsung which chose Songdo International City as its new investment destination for its bio industry . As an international city , Incheon has held numerous large scale international conferences , such as the Incheon Global Fair & Festival in 2009 . The 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014 was also held in Incheon on 19 September 2014 . Incheon has established itself as a major transportation hub in northeast Asia with the Incheon International Airport and Incheon Port . The city is also home to the Green Climate Fund , an international organization addressing environmental issues .
Ulsan ( Korean pronunciation : [ ul.s͈an ] ) , officially the Ulsan Metropolitan City , is South Korea 's seventh-largest metropolitan city and the eighth-largest city overall , with a population of over 1.1 million inhabitants . It is located in the south-east of the country , neighboring Busan to the south and facing Gyeongju to the north . Ulsan is the industrial powerhouse of South Korea , forming the heart of the Ulsan Industrial District . It has the world 's largest automobile assembly plant operated by the Hyundai Motor Company ; the world 's largest shipyard , operated by Hyundai Heavy Industries ; and the world 's third largest oil refinery , owned by SK Energy . In 2017 , Ulsan had a GDP per capita of $ 65,093 , the highest of any region in South Korea .
Costa Rica ( /ˌkɒstə ˈriːkə/ , US : /ˌkoʊstə/ ( listen ) ; Spanish : [ ˈkosta ˈrika ] ; literally Rich Coast ) , officially the Republic of Costa Rica ( Spanish : República de Costa Rica ) , is a country in Central America , bordered by Nicaragua to the north , the Caribbean Sea to the northeast , Panama to the southeast , the Pacific Ocean to the southwest , and Ecuador to the south of Cocos Island . It has a population of around 5 million in a land area of 51,060 square kilometers ( 19,714 square miles ) . An estimated 333,980 people live in the capital and largest city , San José , with around 2 million people in the surrounding metropolitan area . The sovereign state is a unitary presidential constitutional republic . It is known for its long-standing and stable democracy , and for its highly educated workforce , most of whom speak English . The country spends roughly 6.9% of its budget ( 2016 ) on education , compared to a global average of 4.4% . Its economy , once heavily dependent on agriculture , has diversified to include sectors such as finance , corporate services for foreign companies , pharmaceuticals , and ecotourism . Many foreign manufacturing and services companies operate in Costa Rica 's Free Trade Zones ( FTZ ) where they benefit from investment and tax incentives . Costa Rica was sparsely inhabited by indigenous peoples before coming under Spanish rule in the 16th century . It remained a peripheral colony of the empire until independence as part of the First Mexican Empire , followed by membership in the United Provinces of Central America , from which it formally declared independence in 1847 . Following the brief Costa Rican Civil War in 1948 , it permanently abolished its army in 1949 , becoming one of only a few sovereign nations without a standing army . The country has consistently performed favorably in the Human Development Index ( HDI ) , placing 63rd in the world as of 2017 [ update ] , among the highest of any Latin American nation .
South Jeolla Province ( Korean : 전라남도 , Jeollanam-do , Korean pronunciation : [ tɕʌl.la.nam.do ] ) , also known as Jeonnam , is a province of South Korea . South Jeolla has a population of 1,902,324 ( 2014 ) and has a geographic area of 12,247 km2 ( 4,729 sq mi ) located in the Honam region at the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula . South Jeolla borders the provinces of North Jeolla to the north , South Gyeongsang to the northeast , and Jeju to the southwest in the Korea Strait . Muan County is the capital and Yeosu is the largest city of South Jeolla , with other major cities including Suncheon , Mokpo , and Gwangyang . Gwangju was the largest city of South Jeolla until becoming a Metropolitan City in 1986 , and was the historic capital until the provincial government was relocated to the Muan County town of Namak in 2005 . South Jeolla was established in 1896 from the province of Jeolla , one of the Eight Provinces of Korea , consisting of the southern half of its mainland territory and most outlying islands .
Bolivia ( /bəˈlɪviə/ ( listen ) Spanish pronunciation : [ bo.ˈli.βja ] ) , officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia ( Spanish : Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia Spanish pronunciation : [ esˈtaðo pluɾinasjoˈnal de βoˈliβja ] ( listen ) ) , is a landlocked country located in western-central South America . The capital is Sucre , while the seat of government and financial center is located in La Paz . The largest city and principal industrial center is Santa Cruz de la Sierra , located on the Llanos Orientales ( tropical lowlands ) , a mostly flat region in the east of the country . The sovereign state of Bolivia is a constitutionally unitary state , divided into nine departments . Its geography varies from the peaks of the Andes in the West , to the Eastern Lowlands , situated within the Amazon Basin . It is bordered to the north and east by Brazil , to the southeast by Paraguay , to the south by Argentina , to the southwest by Chile , and to the northwest by Peru . One-third of the country is within the Andean mountain range . With 1,098,581 km2 ( 424,164 sq mi ) of area , Bolivia is the fifth largest country in South America , after Brazil , Argentina , Peru and Colombia ( and alongside Paraguay , one of the only two landlocked countries in the Americas ) , the 27th largest in the world , the largest landlocked country in the Southern Hemisphere and the world 's seventh largest landlocked country , after Kazakhstan , Mongolia , Chad , Niger , Mali and Ethiopia . The country 's population , estimated at 11 million , is multiethnic , including Amerindians , Mestizos , Europeans , Asians and Africans . Spanish is the official and predominant language , although 36 indigenous languages also have official status , of which the most commonly spoken are Guarani , Aymara and Quechua languages . Before Spanish colonization , the Andean region of Bolivia was part of the Inca Empire , while the northern and eastern lowlands were inhabited by independent tribes . Spanish conquistadors arriving from Cuzco and Asunción took control of the region in the 16th century .
North Chungcheong Province ( Korean : 충청북도 , Chungcheongbuk-do ; Korean pronunciation : [ tɕʰuŋ.tɕʰʌŋ.buk̚.t͈o ] ) , also known as Chungbuk , is a province of South Korea . North Chungcheong has a population of 1,578,934 ( 2014 ) and has a geographic area of 7,433 km2 ( 2,870 sq mi ) located in the Hoseo region in the south-center of the Korean Peninsula . North Chungcheong borders the provinces of Gyeonggi and Gangwon to the north , North Gyeongsang to the east , North Jeolla to the south , and South Chungcheong , Sejong Special Autonomous City , and Daejeon Metropolitan City to the west . Cheongju is the capital and largest city of North Chungcheong , with other major cities including Chungju and Jecheon . North Chungcheong was established in 1896 from the province of Chungcheong , one of the Eight Provinces of Korea , consisting of the northeastern half of the territory , and is South Korea 's only landlocked province . North Chungcheong was known as Chūsei-hoku Prefecture during the Japanese Colonial Period from 1910 and became part of South Korea following the division of Korea in 1945 .
Macau , also spelled Macao ( /məˈkaʊ/ ( listen ) ; 澳門 , Cantonese : [ ōu.mǔːn ] ; official Portuguese : [ mɐˈkaw ] Macau ) , and officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People 's Republic of China , is a city and special administrative region on the western side of the Pearl River estuary in southern China . With a population of 667,400 and an area of 32.9 km2 ( 12.7 sq mi ) , it is the most densely populated region in the world . Macau was formerly a colony of the Portuguese Empire , after Ming China leased the territory as a trading post in 1557 . Between 1557 and 1887 , Macau was governed by the Portuguese under Chinese authority and sovereignty with the Portuguese paying an annual land rent . In 1887 , Portugal was given perpetual colonial rights for Macau which gave Portuguese sovereignty over Macau . The colony remained under Portuguese rule until 1999 , when it was transferred to China . As a special administrative region , Macau maintains separate governing and economic systems from that of mainland China . Originally a sparsely populated collection of coastal islands , the territory has become a major resort city and the top destination for gambling tourism . It is the ninth-highest recipient of tourism revenue and its gambling industry is seven times larger than that of Las Vegas . Although the city has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world , it has severe income inequality . Its GDP per capita by purchasing power parity is one of the highest in the world and higher than any country in the world in 2014 according to the World Bank . Macau has a very high Human Development Index .
Daegu ( Korean : [ tɛɡu ] ; 대구 , 大邱 , literally 'large hill ' ) , formerly spelled Taegu [ a ] and officially known as the Daegu Metropolitan City , is a city in South Korea , the fourth-largest after Seoul , Busan , and Incheon , and the third-largest metropolitan area in the nation [ b ] with over 2.5 million residents . Daegu and surrounding North Gyeongsang Province are often referred to as Daegu-Gyeongbuk , with a total population over 5 million . Daegu is located in south-eastern Korea about 80 km ( 50 mi ) from the seacoast , near the Geumho River and its mainstream , Nakdong River in Gyeongsang-do . The Daegu basin is the central plain of the Yeongnam region . In ancient times , the Daegu area was part of the proto-kingdom Jinhan . Subsequently Daegu came under the control of the Silla Kingdom , which unified the Korean Peninsula . During the Joseon Dynasty period , the city was the capital of Gyeongsang-do , one of the traditional eight provinces of the country . Daegu was an economic motor of Korea during the 1960s-1980s period and was especially known for its electronics industry . The humid subtropical climate of Daegu is ideal for producing high-quality apples , thus the nickname , Apple City . Daegu is also known as Textile City . Textiles used to be the pillar industry of the city . With the establishment of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Free Economic Zone , Daegu is currently focusing on fostering fashion and high-tech industries .
El Salvador ( /ɛl ˈsælvədɔːr/ ( listen ) ; Spanish : [ el salβaˈðoɾ ] ( listen ) ) , officially the Republic of El Salvador ( Spanish : República de El Salvador , literally Republic of The Savior ) , is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America . It is bordered on the northeast by Honduras , on the northwest by Guatemala , and on the south by the Pacific Ocean . El Salvador 's capital and largest city is San Salvador . As of 2018 [ update ] , the country had a population of approximately 6.42 million . El Salvador was for centuries inhabited by several Mesoamerican nations , especially the Cuzcatlecs , as well as the Lenca and Maya . In the early 16th century , the Spanish Empire conquered the territory , incorporating it into the Viceroyalty of New Spain ruled from Mexico City . However the Viceroyalty of Mexico had little or no influence in the daily affairs of the Central American isthmus , which would be colonized in 1524 . In 1609 the area became the Captaincy General of Guatemala , from which El Salvador was part of until its independence from Spain , which took place in 1821 , as part of the First Mexican Empire , then further seceded , as part of the Federal Republic of Central America , in 1823 . When the Republic dissolved in 1841 , El Salvador became a sovereign nation , then formed a short-lived union with Honduras and Nicaragua called the Greater Republic of Central America , which lasted from 1895 to 1898 . From the late 19th to the mid-20th century , El Salvador endured chronic political and economic instability characterized by coups , revolts , and a succession of authoritarian rulers . Persistent socioeconomic inequality and civil unrest culminated in the devastating Salvadoran Civil War ( 1979-1992 ) , which was fought between the military-led government and a coalition of left-wing guerrilla groups . The conflict ended with the Chapultepec Peace Accords .
North Jeolla Province ( Korean : 전라북도 ; Hanja : 全羅北道 ; Jeollabuk-do ; Korean pronunciation : [ tɕʌl.la.buk̚.t͈o ] ) , also known as Jeonbuk , is a province of South Korea . North Jeolla has a population of 1,869,711 ( 2015 ) and has a geographic area of 8,067 km2 ( 3,115 sq mi ) located in the Honam region in the southwest of the Korean Peninsula . North Jeolla borders the provinces of South Jeolla to the south , North Gyeongsang and South Gyeongsang to the east , North Chungcheong to the northeast , and South Chungcheong to the north . Jeonju is the capital and largest city of North Jeolla , with other major cities including Iksan , Gunsan , and Jeongeup . North Jeolla was established in 1896 from the province of Jeolla , one of the Eight Provinces of Korea , consisting of the northern half of its mainland territory .
Gangwon-do ( Korean pronunciation : [ kaŋ.wʌn.do ] ) is a province of South Korea , with its capital at Chuncheon . It is bounded on the east part by the East Sea , and borders Gyeonggi Province to its west , and North Gyeongsang Province and North Chungcheong Province to its south . Its northern boundary is the Military Demarcation Line , separating it from North Korea 's Kangwŏn Province . Before the division of Korea in 1945 Gangwon and Kangwŏn formed a single province . Pyeongchang County hosted the 2018 Winter Olympics and 2018 Winter Paralympics . Gangwon will host the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics .
Laos ( /ˈlɑːoʊs/ ( listen ) , /laʊs , ˈlɑːɒs , ˈleɪɒs/ ; Lao : ລາວ , Lāo [ láːw ] ) , officially the Lao People 's Democratic Republic ( Lao : ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ , romanized : Saþalanalat Paxaþipatai Paxaxōn Lao ; French : République démocratique populaire lao ) , commonly referred to by its colloquial name of Muang Lao ( Lao : ເມືອງລາວ , Muang Lao ) , is a socialist state and the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia . Located at the heart of the Indochinese peninsula , Laos is bordered by Myanmar and China to the northwest , Vietnam to the east , Cambodia to the southeast and Thailand to the west and southwest . Present Laos traces historic and cultural identity to the kingdom of Lan Xang Hom Khao ( Kingdom of a Million Elephants Under the White Parasol ) , which existed from the mid-fourteenth century to early eighteenth century as one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia . Due to its central geographical location in Southeast Asia , the kingdom became a hub for overland trade , turned wealthy economically and culturally . After a period of internal conflict , Lan Xang broke off into three separate kingdoms - Luang Phrabang , Vientiane , and Champasak . In 1893 , the three territories came under French protectorate and were united to form what is now known as Laos . It briefly gained independence in 1945 after Japanese occupation , but was recolonised by France until it won autonomy in 1949 . Laos became independent in 1953 , with a constitutional monarchy under Sisavang Vong . A post-independence civil war began , which saw the communist resistance , supported by the Soviet Union and North Vietnam , fight against the monarchy that later came under influence of military regimes supported by the United States . After the Vietnam War ended in 1975 , the communist Pathet Lao movement came to power , ending the civil war and establishing a one-party state . Laos was then dependent on military and economic aid from the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991 . In 2018 , the country had the fourth highest GDP ( PPP ) per capita in Southeast Asia , after Singapore , Malaysia , and Thailand .
Daejeon ( Korean : [ tɛ̝.dʑʌn ] ( listen ) ) is South Korea 's fifth-largest metropolis . Daejeon had a population of over 1.5 million in 2010 . Located in the central region of South Korea , Daejeon serves as a hub of transportation and is at the crossroads of major transport routes . The capital Seoul is about 50 minutes away by KTX high-speed train . Daejeon is one of South Korea 's administration hubs with the Daejeon Government Complex ( Other administrative hubs : Seoul , Gwacheon and Sejong ) . The Korean administration in the 1980s decided to relocate some of its functions from Seoul , the national capital , to other cities . Currently , 12 national government offices , including Korea Customs Service , Small and Medium Business Administration , Public Procurement Service , National Statistical Office , Military Manpower Administration , Korea Forest Service , Cultural Heritage Administration , and Korean Intellectual Property Office , as well as Patent Court of Korea , are located in Daejeon . Korail , Korea Water Resources Corporation , and Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation are also headquartered in the city . Daejeon has 18 universities , including KAIST and Chungnam National University . Daejeon has earned its name as Asia 's Silicon Valley and high technology city . The city hosted the Taejon Expo '93 and the International Mathematical Olympiads in 2000 . Several important research institutes are based in the city .
Bosnia and Herzegovina , [ a ] abbreviated BiH or B & H , [ b ] sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina and often known informally as Bosnia , is a country of South and Southeast Europe , located within the Balkans . Sarajevo is the capital and largest city . Bosnia and Herzegovina is an almost landlocked country - to the south it has a narrow coast on the Adriatic Sea , about 20 kilometres ( 12 miles ) long and surrounding the town of Neum . It is bordered by Serbia to the east , Montenegro to the southeast , and Croatia surrounding north and southwest . In the central and eastern interior of the country the geography is mountainous , in the northwest moderately hilly , and the northeast predominantly flatland . The inland , Bosnia , is a geographically larger region and has a moderate continental climate , with hot summers and cold and snowy winters . The southern tip , Herzegovina , has a Mediterranean climate and mostly mountainous topography . Bosnia and Herzegovina traces permanent human settlement back to the Neolithic age , during and after which it was populated by several Illyrian and Celtic civilizations . Culturally , politically , and socially , the country has a rich history , having been first settled by the Slavic peoples that populate the area today from the 6th through to the 9th centuries . In the 12th century the Banate of Bosnia was established , which evolved into the Kingdom of Bosnia in the 14th century , after which it was annexed into the Ottoman Empire , under whose rule it remained from the mid-15th to the late 19th centuries . The Ottomans brought Islam to the region , and altered much of the cultural and social outlook of the country . This was followed by annexation into the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy , which lasted up until World War I .
Gwangju [ a ] ( Korean pronunciation : [ kwaŋ.dʑu ] ) is the sixth-largest city in South Korea . It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government 's Home Minister . The city was also the capital of South Jeolla Province until the provincial office moved to the southern village of Namak in Muan County in 2005 because Gwangju was promoted to a metropolitan city and was independent from South Jeolla province . Its name is composed of the words Gwang ( Korean : 광 ; Hanja : 光 ) meaning light and Ju ( 주 ; 州 ) meaning province . Gwangju was historically recorded as Muju ( 무주 ; 武州 ) , in which Silla merged all of the land to establish the provinces of Gwangju , Ungju , Jeonju , Muju and various counties , plus the southern boundary of Goguryeo and the ancient territories of Silla in the Samguk Sagi . In the heart of the agricultural Jeolla region , the city is also famous for its rich and diverse cuisine .
Estonia ( Estonian : Eesti [ ˈeːsʲti ] ( listen ) ) , officially the Republic of Estonia ( Estonian : Eesti Vabariik ) , is a country on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe . It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland with Finland on the other side , to the west by the Baltic Sea with Sweden on the other side , to the south by Latvia ( 343 km ) , and to the east by Lake Peipus and Russia ( 338.6 km ) . The territory of Estonia consists of the mainland and of 2,222 islands in the Baltic Sea , covering a total area of 45,227 km2 ( 17,462 sq mi ) , water 2,839 km2 ( 1,096 sq mi ) , land area 42,388 km2 ( 16,366 sq mi ) , and is influenced by a humid continental climate . The official language of the country , Estonian , is the second-most-spoken Finnic language . The territory of Estonia has been inhabited since at least 9,000 BC . Ancient Estonians became some of the last European pagans to adopt Christianity - following the Livonian Crusade in the 13th century . After centuries of successive rule by Germans , Danes , Swedes , Poles and Russians , a distinct Estonian national identity began to emerge in the 19th and early 20th centuries . This culminated in independence from Russia in 1920 after a brief War of Independence at the end of World War I . Initially democratic prior to the Great Depression , Estonia experienced authoritarian rule from 1934 during the Era of Silence . During World War II ( 1939-1945 ) , Estonia was repeatedly contested and occupied by the Soviet Union and Germany , ultimately being incorporated into the former . After the loss of its de facto independence , Estonia 's de jure state continuity was preserved by diplomatic representatives and the government-in-exile . In 1987 the peaceful Singing Revolution began against Soviet rule , resulting in the restoration of de facto independence on 20 August 1991 .
Jeju Island ( Korean : 제주도 ; Hanja : 濟州島 ; Korean pronunciation : [ t͡ɕed͡ʑudo ] ) is an island in the Jeju Province of South Korea . The island lies in the Korea Strait , below the Korean Peninsula , south of the South Jeolla Province . The island contains the natural world heritage site , Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes . Jeju has a moderate climate ; even in winter , the temperature rarely falls below 0 °C ( 32 °F ) . Jeju is a popular holiday destination and a sizable portion of the economy relies on tourism and economic activity from its civil/naval base .
Haiti ( /ˈheɪti/ ( listen ) ; French : Haïti [ a.iti ] ; Haitian Creole : Ayiti [ ajiti ] ) , officially the Republic of Haiti ( French : République d'Haïti ; Haitian Creole : Repiblik D Ayiti ) and formerly called Hayti , [ note 1 ] is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea , to the east of Cuba and Jamaica and south of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands . It occupies the western three-eighths of the island which it shares with the Dominican Republic . To its south-west lies the small island of Navassa Island , which is claimed by Haiti but is disputed as a United States territory under federal administration . Haiti is 27,750 square kilometers ( 10,714 sq mi ) in size and has an estimated population of 11.1 million , making it the most populous country in the Caribbean Community ( CARICOM ) and the second-most populous country in the Caribbean after Cuba . The island was originally inhabited by the indigenous Taíno people , who migrated from South America . The first Europeans arrived on 5 December 1492 during the first voyage of Christopher Columbus , who initially believed he had found India or China . Columbus subsequently founded the first European settlement in the Americas , La Navidad , on what is now the northeastern coast of Haiti . The island was claimed by Spain and named La Española , forming part of the Spanish Empire until the early 17th century . However , competing claims and settlements by the French led to the western portion of the island being ceded to France in 1697 , which was subsequently named Saint-Domingue . French colonists established lucrative sugarcane plantations , worked by vast numbers of slaves brought from Africa , which made the colony one of the richest in the world . In the midst of the French Revolution ( 1789-99 ) , slaves and free people of color launched the Haitian Revolution ( 1791-1804 ) , led by a former slave and the first black general of the French Army , Toussaint Louverture . After 12 years of conflict , Napoleon Bonaparte 's forces were defeated by Louverture 's successor , Jean-Jacques Dessalines ( later Emperor Jacques I ) , who declared Haiti 's sovereignty on 1 January 1804 - the first independent nation of Latin America and the Caribbean , the second republic in the Americas , the first country to abolish slavery , and the only state in history established by a successful slave revolt .
Sejong ( Korean pronunciation : [ se ( ː ) .dʑoŋ ] ; Korean : 세종 ; Hanja : 世宗 ) , officially Sejong Special Autonomous City ( 세종특별자치시 ; 世宗特別自治市 ) , is a special autonomous city in South Korea . Sejong was founded in 2007 as the new national capital of South Korea from territory of South Chungcheong and North Chungcheong provinces to ease congestion in South Korea 's current capital and largest city , Seoul , and encourage investment in the country 's central region . Since 2012 , the Government of South Korea has relocated numerous ministries and agencies to Sejong , but many still reside in other cities - principally Seoul where the National Assembly and many important government bodies remain . Sejong has a population of 281,120 ( 2017 ) and covers a geographic area of 465.23 km2 ( 179.63 sq mi ) , making it the least-populous and smallest first-level administrative division in South Korea . Sejong is located in the west-central Hoseo region , bordering South Chungcheong to the west , Daejeon Metropolitan City to the south , and North Chungcheong to the east . The construction of the city should be completed in 2030 . In the same year , all government institutions should be moved to Sejong . About 500,000 people should live there in 2030 .
Togo ( /ˈtoʊɡoʊ/ ( listen ) ) , officially the Togolese Republic ( French : République togolaise ) , is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west , Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north . The sovereign state extends south to the Gulf of Guinea , where its capital Lomé is located . Togo covers 57,000 square kilometres ( 22,008 square miles ) , making it one of the smallest countries in Africa , with a population of approximately 7.9 million , as well as one of the narrowest countries in the world with a width of less than 115 km ( 71 mi ) between Ghana and its slightly larger eastern neighbor , Benin . From the 11th to the 16th century , various tribes entered the region from all directions . From the 16th century to the 18th century , the coastal region was a major trading center for Europeans to purchase slaves , earning Togo and the surrounding region the name The Slave Coast . In 1884 , Germany declared a region including present-day Togo as a protectorate called Togoland . After World War I , rule over Togo was transferred to France . Togo gained its independence from France in 1960 . In 1967 , Gnassingbé Eyadéma led a successful military coup d'état after which he became president of an anti-communist , single-party state . Eventually , in 1993 , Eyadéma faced multiparty elections , which were marred by irregularities , and won the presidency three times . At the time of his death , Eyadéma was the longest-serving leader in modern African history , having been president for 38 years . In 2005 , his son Faure Gnassingbé was elected president .
South Korea ( Korean : 한국/韓國 ; RR : Hanguk or literally 남한/南韓 ; RR : Namhan ) , officially the Republic of Korea ( Korean : 대한민국/大韓民國 ; RR : Daehan Minguk ) is a country in East Asia , constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea . The name Korea is derived from Goguryeo , which was one of the great powers in East Asia during its time , ruling most of the Korean Peninsula , Manchuria , parts of the Russian Far East and Inner Mongolia under Gwanggaeto the Great . Its capital , Seoul , is a major global city and half of South Korea 's over 51 million people live in the Seoul Capital Area , the fourth largest metropolitan economy in the world . The Korean Peninsula was inhabited as early as the Lower Paleolithic period . Its first kingdom was noted in Chinese records in the early 7th century BC . Following the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea into Silla and Balhae in the late 7th century , Korea was ruled by the Goryeo dynasty ( 918-1392 ) and the Joseon dynasty ( 1392-1897 ) . The succeeding Korean Empire was annexed into the Empire of Japan in 1910 . After World War II , Korea was divided into Soviet and U.S.-administered zones , with the latter becoming the Republic of Korea in August 1948 . In 1950 , a North Korean invasion began the Korean War and after its end in 1953 , the country 's economy began to soar , recording the fastest rise in average GDP per capita in the world between 1980 and 1990 . Authoritarian rule ended in 1987 and the country is now the most advanced democracy with the highest level of press freedom in Asia . South Korea is a member of the OECD 's Development Assistance Committee , the G20 and the Paris Club . South Korea is a highly developed country and the world 's 12th-largest economy by nominal GDP .
Turkey ( Turkish : Türkiye [ ˈtyɾcije ] ) , officially the Republic of Turkey ( Turkish : Türkiye Cumhuriyeti [ ˈtyɾcije dʒumˈhuːɾijeti ] ( listen ) ) , is a transcontinental country located mostly on the Anatolian peninsula in Western Asia , with a smaller portion on the Balkan peninsula in Southeastern Europe . East Thrace , the part of Turkey in Europe , is separated from Anatolia by the Sea of Marmara , the Bosporus and the Dardanelles ( collectively called the Turkish Straits ) . Istanbul , mostly located on the European side , is the largest city in the country while Ankara is the capital . Turkey is bordered by Greece and Bulgaria to its northwest , the Black Sea to its north , Georgia to its northeast , Armenia , the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan and Iran to its east , Iraq and Syria to its southeast , the Mediterranean Sea to its south , and the Aegean Sea to its west . Approximately 70 to 80 percent of the country 's citizens identify as Turkish , while Kurds are the largest minority at anywhere from 15 to 20 percent of the population . At various points in its history , the region has been inhabited by diverse civilisations including the Assyrians , Greeks , Thracians , Phrygians , Urartians , and Armenians . Hellenization started during the era of Alexander the Great and continued into the Byzantine era . The Seljuk Turks began migrating into the area in the 11th century , and their victory over the Byzantines at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 symbolises the start and foundation of Turkey . The Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm ruled Anatolia until the Mongol invasion in 1243 , when it disintegrated into small principalities called beyliks . Beginning in the late 13th century , the Ottomans started uniting beyliks and conquering the Balkans . After Mehmed II conquered Constantinople in 1453 , Ottoman expansion continued under Selim I . During the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent the Ottoman Empire encompassed much of Southeast Europe , West Asia and North Africa and became a world power .