Sonchon
Encyclopedia
Sonchon is a kun
, or county, on the coast of the Yellow Sea
in west-central North Pyongan province, North Korea
. To the north it borders Chonma
, to the east Kusong
and Kwaksan
, and to the west Tongrim
; to the south, it borders nothing but the sea. Sonchon was reorganized in 1952, with two myŏn
, or townships, being split off to form the new county of Tongrim.
railroad, which runs between Pyongyang
and Sinuiju
. In addition, a passenger ferry operates between Sinmido and the mainland.
religious activity, with more than 50 churches. There were also 13 Buddhist temples. These were all converted or destroyed following the establishment of the DPRK.
were spreading via Chinese TV channels and phone calls with defectors.
Administrative divisions of North Korea
The administrative divisions of North Korea are organized into three hierarchical levels. Many of the units have equivalents in the system of South Korea. At the highest level are nine provinces, two directly governed cities, and three special administrative divisions. The second-level divisions...
, or county, on the coast of the Yellow Sea
Yellow Sea
The Yellow Sea is the name given to the northern part of the East China Sea, which is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean. It is located between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula. Its name comes from the sand particles from Gobi Desert sand storms that turn the surface of the water golden...
in west-central North Pyongan province, 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...
. To the north it borders Chonma
Chonma
Chonma is a kun, or county, in northwestern North Pyongan province, North Korea. It borders Kusong and Taegwan to the east, Sonchon and Tongrim to the south, Uiju and Pihyon to the west, and Sakchu to the north. It was created in 1952 from parts of Kusong and Uiju.There are abundant mountains,...
, to the east Kusong
Kusong
Kusŏng is a coterminous city in central North Pyongan province, North Korea. It borders Taegwan to the north, Taechon to the east, Kwaksan and Chongju to the south, and Chonma to the north. The highest point is Chongryongsan . The year-round average temperature is 8.2 °C, with a January average...
and Kwaksan
Kwaksan
Kwaksan is a kun, or county, in coastal southern North Pyongan province, North Korea. It faces the Yellow Sea to the south. By land, it is bordered by Kusong in the north, Chongju in the east, and Sonchon in the west....
, and to the west Tongrim
Tongrim
Tongrim is a kun, or county, in coastal southwestern North Pyongan province, North Korea. It borders Pihyon and Chonma to the north, Sonchon to the east, Cholsan to the southwest, and Yomju to the west. To the south, it looks out on the Yellow Sea....
; to the south, it borders nothing but the sea. Sonchon was reorganized in 1952, with two myŏn
Myon
Myon is a commune in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France.-Geography:Myon lies southeast of Quingey and noftheast of Salins-les-Bains in the department of Jura.-Population:-External links:*...
, or townships, being split off to form the new county of Tongrim.
Physical features
The terrain varies between hills and plains; numerous islands are also found along the indented coastline. The highest point is Kainbong (가인봉, 535 m), which is the source of the Tongrae River. The year-round average temperature is 8.5 °C, with a January average of -9.2 °C and an August average of 23.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1192 mm. The island of Sinmido hosts a peak of 532 m, Unjongsan, and is also home to a variety of plants normally found only in warm areas. Some 45% of the county's area is forestland.Economy
The local economy relies on agriculture, including livestock-raising and sericulture, as well as fishing and manufacturing. Local crops include rice, maize, tobacco and soybeans. Factories in Sonchon manufacture ironware, ceramics, and tobacco products.Transport
Sonchon is served by Sonchon Station on the Pyongui LinePyongui Line
The P'yŏngŭi Line is a rail line in North Korea connecting the capital city, Pyongyang, with Sinuiju at the northwestern corner of the country. It is the main corridor for overland traffic between North Korea and China, and is one of the country's most important rail lines...
railroad, which runs between Pyongyang
Pyongyang
Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388. The city was...
and Sinuiju
Sinuiju
Sinŭiju is a city in North Korea, neighboring with Dandong City, China via international border and is the capital of North P'yŏngan Province...
. In addition, a passenger ferry operates between Sinmido and the mainland.
Religion
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the area was a hotbed of Protestant ChristianProtestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
religious activity, with more than 50 churches. There were also 13 Buddhist temples. These were all converted or destroyed following the establishment of the DPRK.
Protests
In February 2011, the area and other cities in North Pyongan had rare protests, of a few score of people, calling for adequate provision of rice and power. At the time, news of the uprisings in the Middle East2010–2011 Middle East and North Africa protests
The Arab Spring , otherwise known as the Arab Awakening, is a revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world that began on Saturday, 18 December 2010...
were spreading via Chinese TV channels and phone calls with defectors.
See also
- Geography of North KoreaGeography of North KoreaNorth Korea is located in east Asia on the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. North Korea shares a border with three states, including China along the Amnok River, Russia along the Duman River, and South Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone...
- Administrative divisions of North KoreaAdministrative divisions of North KoreaThe administrative divisions of North Korea are organized into three hierarchical levels. Many of the units have equivalents in the system of South Korea. At the highest level are nine provinces, two directly governed cities, and three special administrative divisions. The second-level divisions...
- North Pyongan