Hamgyong
Encyclopedia
Hamgyŏng was one of the Eight Provinces
of Korea
during the Joseon Dynasty
. Hamgyŏng was located in the northeast of Korea. The provincial capital was Hamhŭng
.
In 1895, the province was replaced by the Districts of Kyŏngsŏng (Kyŏngsŏng-bu; 경성부; 鏡城府) in the northeast, Kapsan (Kapsan-bu; 갑산부; 甲山府) in the northwest, and Hamhŭng (Hamhŭng-bu; 함흥부; 咸興府) in the south.
In 1896, Kyŏngsŏng District was reorganized into North Hamgyŏng Province, and Kapsan and Hamhŭng Districts were reorganized into South Hamgyŏng Province. North and South Hamgyŏng Provinces are today part of North Korea
.
, on the south by Hwanghae
and Kangwŏn
, on the east by the Sea of Japan
(East Sea of Korea), and on the north by China
and Russia
.
The province was referred to by the regional name
of Kwanbuk
. Kwannam
was sometimes used to refer to the southern half of the province, in which case "Kwanbuk" was used to refer to the northern half.
Eight Provinces (Korea)
During most of the Joseon Dynasty, Korea was divided into eight provinces . The eight provinces' boundaries remained unchanged for almost five centuries from 1413 to 1895, and formed a geographic paradigm that is still reflected today in the Korean Peninsula's administrative divisions, dialects,...
of Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
during the Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
. Hamgyŏng was located in the northeast of Korea. The provincial capital was Hamhŭng
Hamhung
Hamhŭng is North Korea's second largest city, and the capital of South Hamgyŏng Province. In late 2005, nearby Hŭngnam was made a ward within Hamhŭng-si. It has a population of 768,551 as of 2008.-Geography:...
.
History
In 1413, the northeast frontier region of Korea was organized into Yŏnggil Province (Yŏnggil-do; 영길도; 永吉道). In 1416, the province was renamed Hamgil (Hamgil-do; 함길도; 咸吉道), and in 1470, Yŏngan (Yŏngan-do; 영안도; 永安道). Finally, in 1509, the province took the name Hamgyŏng. The name "Hamgyŏng" is derived from the names of the principal cities of Hamhŭng (함흥; 咸興) and Kyŏngsŏng (경성; 鏡城).In 1895, the province was replaced by the Districts of Kyŏngsŏng (Kyŏngsŏng-bu; 경성부; 鏡城府) in the northeast, Kapsan (Kapsan-bu; 갑산부; 甲山府) in the northwest, and Hamhŭng (Hamhŭng-bu; 함흥부; 咸興府) in the south.
In 1896, Kyŏngsŏng District was reorganized into North Hamgyŏng Province, and Kapsan and Hamhŭng Districts were reorganized into South Hamgyŏng Province. North and South Hamgyŏng Provinces are today part of North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
.
Geography
Hamgyŏng was bounded on the west by P'yŏnganPyongan
P'yŏngan was one of the Eight Provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. P'yŏngan was located in the northwest of Korea. The provincial capital was P'yŏngyang.-History:P'yŏngan Province was formed in 1413...
, on the south by Hwanghae
Hwanghae
Hwanghae was one of the Eight Provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Hwanghae was located in the northwest of Korea. The provincial capital was Haeju.The regional name for the province was Haesŏ .-History:...
and Kangwŏn
Gangwon (historical)
Gangwon Province or Gangwon-do was one of the Eight Provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The province was formed in 1395, and derived its name from the names of the principal cities of Gangneung and the provincial capital Wonju .In 1895, Gangwon-do was replaced by the Districts of...
, on the east by the Sea of Japan
Sea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...
(East Sea of Korea), and on the north by China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
The province was referred to by the regional name
Regions of Korea
Korea has traditionally been divided into a number of unofficial regions that reflect historical, geographical, and dialect boundaries within the peninsula...
of Kwanbuk
Kwanbuk
Kwanbuk is a region in North Hamgyong and South Hamgyong Provinces of North Korea. The region may once have been occupied by the Okjeo people...
. Kwannam
Kwannam
Kwannam is a traditional Korean term used to refer to the southern region of Hamgyong province, including portions of modern-day North Hamgyong and South Hamgyong, North Korea. Its literal meaning is "South of the Ridge", the ridge in question being Mach'ŏnnyŏng 마천령 摩天嶺...
was sometimes used to refer to the southern half of the province, in which case "Kwanbuk" was used to refer to the northern half.