South Jeolla Province

South Jeolla Province (Jeollanam-do), also known as Jeonnam, is a province in the Honam region, South Korea, and the southernmost province in mainland Korea. 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.

Suncheon is the largest city in the province, closely followed by Yeosu. Other major cities include Mokpo, Gwangyang and Naju.

History
South Cholla was established in 1896 from the province of Cholla, one of the Eight Provinces of Korea, consisting of the southern half of its mainland territory and most outlying islands.

During the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945, South Cholla was known as South Zenra, with its provincial capital at Kōshū (now Gwangju). In addition, Cheju Island (now Jeju Island) was part of South Cholla until August 1, 1946.

Kwangju (now Gwangju) was part of South Cholla until 1986 (when it became a Metropolitan City) and the capital until 2005, when the provincial government relocated from Gwangju to Muan County to the planned town of Namak.

Geography
The province is part of the Honam region, and is bounded on the west by the Yellow Sea, on the north by Jeollabuk-do Province, on the south by Jeju Strait, and on the east by Gyeongsangnam-do.

There are almost 2,000 islands along the coastline, about three quarters of which are uninhabited. The coastline is about 6,100 km long. Some of the marine products, in particular oyster and seaweed cultivation, are leading in South Korea.

The province is only partially mountainous. The plains along the rivers Seomjin, Yeongsan and Tamjin are suitable for large-scale grain agriculture. There is abundant rainfall in the area, which helps agriculture. The province is also home to the warmest weather on the peninsula. This helps to produce large amounts of agricultural produce, mainly rice, wheat, barley, pulses and potatoes. Vegetables, cotton and fruits are also grown in the province.

Environment
A small amount of gold and coal is mined in the province, but industries have also been developed in the area. The amount of harmful heavy metals in the province is one-thirtieth of the environmental standard requirement, boasting clean air.

Demographics

 * Source: SOUTH KOREA: South Jeolla Province – Further information about the population structure (CITY POPULATION)

Administrative divisions
Jeollanam-do is divided into 5 cities (si) and 17 counties (gun). Listed below is the name of each entity in English, hangul, and hanja.

Sister cities and provinces

 * State of Arizona, United States
 * State of Maryland, United States
 * 🇰🇷 Gyeongsan, South Korea
 * 🇦🇺 Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
 * Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu province, Vietnam
 * State of Oregon, United States
 * 🇨🇳 Sichuan Province, China
 * 🇵🇹 Alcochete, Portugal

Religion
According to the census of 2005, of the people of South Jeolla 30.5% follow Christianity (21.8% Protestantism and 8.7% Catholicism) and 16.1% follow Buddhism. 53.4% of the population is mostly not religious or follow Muism and other indigenous religions.

National universities with graduate schools

 * Chonnam National University - Yeosu Campus
 * Mokpo National Maritime University – Mokpo
 * Mokpo National University - Mokpo/Muan County/Yeongam County
 * Sunchon National University – Suncheon

Private universities with graduate schools

 * Dongshin University – Naju
 * Gwangju Catholic University – Naju
 * Mokpo Catholic University – Mokpo
 * Sehan University - Yeongam County Campus
 * Youngsan Won Buddhist University – Yeonggwang County
 * Chodang University – Muan County
 * Hanlyo University – Gwangyang

Public institutes of higher education

 * Jeonnam Provincial College – Damyang County/Jangheung County

Private institutes of higher education

 * Chunnam Techno University – Gokseong County
 * Dong-A College – Yeongam County
 * Hanyeong College – Yeosu
 * Koguryeo College - Naju
 * Kwangyang Health College – Gwangyang
 * Mokpo Science University – Mokpo
 * Suncheon First College – Suncheon
 * Suncheon Cheongam College – Suncheon

Governor

 * 31st: Heo Kyung-man (July 1, 1995 – July 1, 1998) – 1st term
 * 32nd: Heo Kyung-man (July 1, 1998 – July 1, 2002) – 2nd term
 * 33rd: Park Tae-young (July 1, 2002 – April 29, 2004) – 1st term
 * 34th: Park Jun-young (June 6, 2004 – July 1, 2006) – 1st term
 * 35th: Park Jun-young (July 1, 2006 – July 1, 2010) – 2nd term
 * 36th: Park Jun-young (July 1, 2010 – July 1, 2014) – 3rd term
 * 37th: Lee Nak-yeon (July 1, 2014 – May 12, 2018)
 * 38th: Kim Yung-rok (July 1, 2018 – )

Economy
Gwangyang Steel Mill, one of the world's largest single steel producer with an annual capacity of 21 million tons, is located in Gwangyang City. In addition, Yeosu National Industrial Complex, the nation's largest petrochemical industrial complex, is located in Yeosu City.

Rail

 * KTX Honam Line: Seoul station to GwangjuSongjeong station
 * KTX Honam Line: Seoul station to Mokpo station

Roads

 * Expressway No.10
 * Expressway No.15

Airports

 * Muan International Airport
 * Yeosu Airport
 * Gwangju Airport


 * Source: Investment Attractiveness (Jeolla Namdo)

Tourism

 * Yeosu – Jinnamgwan Hall, Hyangiram, Yi Sun Shin Square
 * Suncheon – Songgwangsa Temple, Seonamsa Temple, Nagan Eupseong Folk Village
 * Mokpo – Mokpo Modern History Museum, Gatbawi Rock, Yudal Mountain
 * Haenam – Ttanggut (End of the Land) Village, Mihwangsa Temple
 * Gurye – Hwaeomsa Temple
 * Damyang – Damyang Juknokwon, Metasequoia-lined Road, Soswaewon Garden
 * Boseong – Boseong Green Tea Field Daehan Dawon
 * Dochodo – Seonggaksa