In Photos: South Korea from Above

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The Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium

south korea from above

(Image credit: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty)

The location for the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium, glistens as the sun rises over South Korea on Jan. 24, 2018. Here's a look at the East Asian nation, located on the southern half of the Korean peninsula, as the Olympic Games kick off.

South Korea

south korea from above

(Image credit: Planet Observer/UIG/REX/Shutterstock)

Using data from Landsat-5 and Landsat-7 satellites, the country of South Korea is highlighted in this image.

The Alpensia Sliding Center

south korea from above

(Image credit: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty)

The site where luge, bobsleigh and skeleton races will take place — the Alpensia Sliding Center — makes its home in Gangwon, South Korea.

Snow in South Korea

south korea from above

(Image credit: Jeff Schmaltz/LANCE/EOSDIS Rapid Response/NASA)

Just south of the mainland, Jeju Island got smacked with nearly 5 inches (12 centimeters) of snow on Jan. 25, 2016, the most snow measured there since 1984. The accumulation resulted in the closing of the island's airport, stranding over 80,000 travelers.

Unexpected Snow in South Korea

south korea from above

(Image credit: Jeff Schmaltz/MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC)

Snowfall on March 6, 2004, crippled the central provinces of South Korea with closed roads across the area, including in the capital Seoul. During this storm, more than 25 inches fell in a two-day period, leaving this blanket of snow across the region.

Cheju Island

south korea from above

(Image credit: Robert Simmon/USGS/NASA)

The oval-shaped volcanoic landmass, known as Cheju Island, sits off the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula. The island boasts tourist attractions and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site.

Changes afoot

south korea from above

(Image credit: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty)

Moon Jae-in, South Korea's new president, supports a shift in the nations' energy approach, supporting policies that bolster natural gas and renewable energies, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. This image shows a residential area in the Gujwa-eup district of Jeju.

The DMZ

south korea from above

(Image credit: Jesse Allen/Earth Observatory Goddard Space Flight Center/NASA)

Using data from four separate periods stretching from 1989 to 1991, taken by the Landsat-4 and Landsat-5 satellites, scientists created this view of the central section of the Korean Peninsula. The natural-color mosaic highlights he Demilitarized Zone that stretches in a green swath across the image. Sediment creates rich patterns at the mouth of the Han River.

Art at the Peace Dam

south korea from above

(Image credit: Ed Jones/AFP/Getty)

A May 21, 2017 image reveals a unique art piece at the Peace dam north of Hwacheon. Colorfully painted Korean war-era tanks surround a globe carrying the slogan "Peace All Around the World." The 'Peace Dam' was constructed between 1987 and 2005 in preparation for accidental or intentional flooding from North Korea's Imnam Dam.

North of the Han

south korea from above

(Image credit: Ed Jones/AFP/Getty)

On the right, the Han River splits the South Korean capital city of Seoul.

A long history

south korea from above

(Image credit: NASA Earth Observatory)

Seoul has been the capital of Korea for over 600 years. It became the capital of South Korea following its independence in 1949. Originally known as Hanyang, the city is a thoroughly modern megacity, boasting a population of more than 10 million people.

Live Science Staff
Live Science Staff
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