Pyongyang is the capital of which country map. Pyongyang (capital of North Korea). Safety. What to watch out for

Let's start with the fact that the DPRK is a state that lives away from the rest of the world. One of the important points of the ideology is to rely only on one’s own strength, and North Korea’s motto sounds like “a powerful and prosperous power.” The will of the people for the country's epoch-making achievements is symbolized by the Chollima monument, which translated means “A thousand per hour.” The emblem of the Workers' Party of Korea depicts a crossed hammer, sickle and brush.

Kim Il Sung: "Father of the People"

The whole country still fanatically honors its leaders, and the main leaders are the Kim family. Father - Kim Il Sung, for all the people he is an incredibly outstanding personality. The people of the country continue to offer him sincere respect to this day; moreover, he has been declared the “eternal president.” His images can be found in all government buildings, and a monument to him was erected during his lifetime. The square named after the leader is to this day the most famous in Pyongyang; any public event in the city takes place there. Kim Jong Il continues his father's mission as the "great leader" of North Korea.

Before the capital acquired its current name, it had to change many “names”: Kison, Hwanseong, Nannan, Sogyong, Sodo, Hogyong, Chanan and even Heijo. However, the most famous was Ryugyong, which literally means “willow capital.” The city acquired this name at a time when willow trees grew everywhere in it. Even now the word Ryugyong can be found on the map of the city. In fact, the tallest building in the city - a hotel with one hundred and five floors - bears just that name. Pyongyang means “broad land” or “cozy area.”

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During Korean War the city was almost completely destroyed, but was able to recover with the help Soviet Union. By the way, this participation is easily detected in the architecture of those years. For example, we can safely say that Pyongyang’s underground transport was modeled after the Moscow metro. The Stalinist Empire style appealed to the taste of Korean designers. The Pyongyang residents allowed themselves to make the metro a real, as they call it, underground palace. Marble columns, glass chandeliers in the shape of flowers and huge folk panels turn the dungeon into a showcase of the building. True, it’s very small - only two lines, about a dozen stations with one transfer point.

In the very center of Pyongyang there is a 70-meter bronze sculpture of Kim Il Sung. The monument points with its hand “towards a bright tomorrow”, to the south, towards Seoul. Behind the statue is the Museum of the Korean Revolution, on the wall of which there is a huge mosaic panel of Mount Paektusan. It symbolizes revolutionary traditions, since on Mount Paektu, located on the border with China, according to legend, there was a command headquarters where Kim Il Sung lived and worked during the years of the anti-Japanese struggle.

Two stadiums are considered a landmark of the city - “Kim Il Sung Stadium” and “May Day Stadium”. These two sports facilities are the largest in the world. Another attraction is the Arc de Triomphe, a symbol of Korean independence from Japanese occupation.

Old Pyongyang: visiting rules

Interestingly, tourists are prohibited from visiting most of the city’s historical buildings in informal clothing. The government not only develops specific routes for visitors, thereby controlling their movement, but also does not allow photographing military installations, as well as monuments that are not full size. Speaking of movement control: there are absolutely no traffic lights in the city. All traffic in the capital is controlled by traffic police girls.

Chronology

In 108 BC. e. The Han Dynasty conquered Gojoseon, establishing several military regions in its place. The capital of one of them, Lolan County, was founded near modern Pyongyang. Lolan was one of the dominant forces in the region until it was conquered in 313 by the rising state of Goguryeo.

In 427, Wang Goguryeo moved the capital of the state to Pyongyang. In 668, the Korean state of Silla, in alliance with the Chinese Tang dynasty, conquered Goguryeo. The city became part of Silla, remaining on the border with its northern neighbor - Parhae. Silla was replaced by the Goryeo Dynasty. During this period, Pyongyang increased its influence and was renamed Seogyong (서경; 西京; “Western Capital”), although Pyongyang was never actually the capital of Goryeo. During the Joseon Dynasty, it was the capital of Pyongan Province, and from 1896 until the end of the Japanese occupation, it was the capital of Pyongan Province.

In 1945, the period of Japanese occupation was over and Pyongyang fell into the zone of influence of the Soviet Union, becoming the temporary capital of the DPRK state formed in the north of the Korean Peninsula (Seoul, “temporarily” separated from the country, was then considered the permanent capital). During the Korean War, it was seriously damaged by aerial bombing and was occupied by UN troops from October to December 1950. After the war, with the help of the Soviet Union, the city was quickly restored.

Historical names

Over the course of its history, Pyongyang has changed many names. One of them was Ryugyong or "willow capital", as at that time there were many willow trees throughout the city, which was reflected in medieval Korean literature. Nowadays, there are also many willow trees in the city, and the word Ryugyong appears frequently on the city map (see Ryugyong Hotel). Other names of the city in different periods were Kison, Hwanseong, Rannan, Sogyong, Sodo, Hogyong, Chanan. During Japanese colonial rule, the city was known as Heijō (the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese characters 平壌 in the name of Pyongyang, written using hanja).

Geography

Located on the banks of the Taedong River (Tedong) not far from its confluence with the Yellow Sea. Forms a separate administrative unit with the status of a province. Another river flowing through the city is Pothongan.

The climate is monsoon with a sharp manifestation of different seasons and a clear distinction between the dry and rainy seasons. Although Korea is located at low latitudes and with three sides surrounded by sea basins, its climate is more severe than in a number of countries located at the same latitude. In winter, powerful currents of cold, dry air coming from the interior of the continent bring dry, clear weather and cold weather to the Korean Peninsula. In summer, the country's territory is under the influence of oceanic air masses that bring abundant atmospheric moisture. During the three summer months, 50-60% of the annual precipitation falls. The average annual temperature is +7.6 °C. The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is about −11 °C, the hottest (August) is about +23 °C. An average of 925 millimeters of precipitation falls per year ( most of in summer).

Economy

Along with the country's special regions (Sinuiju and Kaesong), Pyongyang is the economic center of North Korea.

Transport

The Pyongyang Metro operates with two lines, with a total length of 22.5 km. The Pyongyang Metro was put into operation on September 5, 1973. The stations are spacious, the columns are decorated with marble, and on the walls there are large mosaic paintings, paintings, and relief images showing life and nature in Korea. Currently there are two lines and sixteen stations. Deep metro. The subway cars are mostly made in Germany. A special feature of the Pyongyang metro is that the escalator shafts are illuminated not with chandeliers or vertical lamps, but with glowing escalator walls. At the end of each carriage are portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

The city also has trolleybus and tram transport. Trolleybus service was opened on April 30, 1962. Tram service existed until the Korean War of 1950-1953, after which the tram was not restored. Pyongyang's modern tram system was built from scratch; tram service opened almost three decades after the launch of the trolleybus, on April 12, 1991, which is a rare case in world practice.

The number of private cars is small compared to most world capitals, although officials use a large fleet of Mercedes-Benz limousines.

There is a state-owned airline, Air Koryo, which operates flights from Sunan Airport to Beijing (PEK), Shenyang (SHE), Bangkok (BKK) and Vladivostok (VVO). There are also occasional charter flights to Macau (MFM), Incheon (ICN), Yangyang (YNY) and some Japanese cities. Air Koryo also operates several domestic flights.

International railway connection operates between Pyongyang and the capitals of China and Russia, as well as Vladivostok. The journey to Beijing takes 25 hours 25 minutes (train K27 from Beijing / K28 from Pyongyang on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays); the road to Moscow takes 7 days.

The import of literature about North Korea is prohibited into North Korea. South Korea(except for those published in the DPRK), pornography, mobile phones, propaganda literature. It is prohibited to photograph military installations, as well as to visit most attractions in informal clothing.

The government controls the movement of tourists around the city, developing special routes and sightseeing programs.

Attractions

During the Korean War (1950-1953), the city suffered greatly and was subsequently almost completely rebuilt. The new layout included wider streets, a large number of monuments and monumental structures.

The tallest building in the city is the Ryugyong Hotel with a height of 332 m (105 floors), the total area of the premises is 360 thousand m². The construction of this hotel, which began in 1987 and was suspended in the 90s, has continued since 2008 with the participation of foreign companies. (Kiryanov O. Foreign investors want to complete the largest unfinished construction project in North Korea // Russian newspaper. December 12, 2008.)

On April 15, 1961, on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the Chollima monument (Korean: “A thousand per hour”) was opened. According to the sculptors, it symbolized the will of the people for epoch-making achievements in the field of building socialism, moving “at the pace of Chollima” to prosperity of their homeland. The height of the monument is 46 meters, the height of the sculpture itself is 14 meters. The horse was saddled by a worker holding the “Red Letter” from the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, and a peasant woman. The horse's front hooves are aimed at the sky, and its hind hooves seem to be pushing off the clouds.

On the occasion of Kim Il Sung's 70th birthday in April 1982, the Arc de Triomphe was opened. The height of the gate is 60 meters, width is 52.5 meters. The height of the arch is 27 meters, width is 18.6 meters. Carved on the gate are the words “Song of Commander Kim Il Sung” and the dates “1925” and “1945”, indicating the year of “Kim Il Sung’s entry into the path of reviving the Motherland” and the year of his “triumphant return to the Motherland” after its liberation from the Japanese (15 August 1945).

Also, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the Juche Idea Monument (170 meters high) was opened on the banks of the Taedong River. On the front and back of the monument are golden letters spelling out the word “Juche.” At the top of the pillar is a 20-meter-high torch, which symbolizes the “great and unfading triumph of the Juche idea.” In the dark, fire is simulated using backlighting. In front of the pillar stands a 30-meter sculptural group: a worker with a hammer, a peasant woman with a sickle and an intellectual with a brush. The crossed hammer, sickle and brush are the emblem of the Workers' Party of Korea. On the back side of the pedestal in a niche there is a wall assembled from more than two hundred marble and granite slabs sent by the heads of many countries of the world and famous political figures.

One of the most famous places in Pyongyang is Kim Il Sung Square. Korean parades are held here People's Army, demonstrations, mass gymnastic and dance performances on public holidays.

In the very center of Pyongyang, on Mansu Hill (where the Pyongyang Fortress used to be) there is a monumental sculptural ensemble, famous primarily for the huge (about 70 meters in height) sculpture of Kim Il Sung. Opened in April 1972 on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday. It is curious that the standing Kim Il Sung points with his hand “towards a bright tomorrow”, to the south, towards Seoul. Behind the bronze statue is the Museum of the Korean Revolution, opened the same year, which has a huge mosaic panel of Mount Paektusan on the wall. Its length is 70 meters, height - about 13. The panel symbolizes revolutionary traditions, since on Mount Paektu, located on the border with China, according to legend, there was a command headquarters where Kim Il Sung lived and worked during the years of the anti-Japanese struggle.

Other famous architectural landmarks of Pyongyang are the monument commemorating the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Liberation Monument built after World War II, the Reunification Arch and two stadiums that are among the largest in the world - Kim Il Sung Stadium - 70,000 spectators, 48- 1st in terms of capacity in the world and the “May Day Stadium” is the largest in the world, with a capacity of 150,000 spectators.

Culture

Pyongyang is the cultural capital of North Korea. All the leading cultural institutions of the country are located here, and cultural exchange with other countries takes place from here. In particular, in November 2005, in Pyongyang, representatives of the North Korean government and the Russian embassy signed the “Plan for Cultural and Scientific Exchange for 2005-2007.” between the governments of the DPRK and the Russian Federation." There is active propaganda among the population national culture and art. The Research Institute of Korean National Music and Choreography (NIIKNMH) was even created, which is located in the Pyongyang International House of Culture.

There are several cultural institutions in the city. Among them are:
The Moranbong Theater is the first theater built in the country after World War II. In December 2004, on the personal instructions of Kim Jong Il, the reconstruction of the theater began, ending in 2005.
Pyongyang Cultural and Exhibition Complex - opened in 1998. There are exhibitions of artists and photographers, as well as new books, ranging from ancient Buddhist texts to the works of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Also in this complex there are exhibitions of Korean applied art - pottery, embroidery, mosaics, etc.
State Symphony Orchestra of Korea - was established in August 1946. The repertoire includes mainly national works (patriotic and glorifying the leaders of the country) and classics from Russian opera and ballet. In total, the orchestra's program includes more than 140 musical works.
Mansudae Art Theater
House of Culture "April 25"
Pyongyang Grand Theatre
East Pyongyang Grand Theater
Central Youth House
Bonghwa Art Theater
Pyongyang Circus
People's Army Circus
People's Palace of Culture
Pyongyang International House of Culture
Pyongyang International Cinema
Korean Revolution Museum
Museum of Victory in the Patriotic Liberation War
Exhibition of achievements of three revolutions
Kimirsaenghwa and Kimjeongirhwa Flower Pavilion
Korean Art Gallery
Korea Central History Museum
Ethnographic Museum of Korea

Education

Pyongyang is home to a number of the country's leading universities, including the largest educational institution- Kim Il Sung University.

Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). Pyongyang is the administrative, cultural and historical center of the country. The word "Pyongyang" (according to Kontsevich's system is transcribed into Cyrillic as Pyongyang) on Korean means “wide land”, “comfortable area”. In 1946, the city was removed from the province of Pyongan-nam-do and received the status of a city of direct subordination (chikhalsi) - an administrative status at the provincial level.

Information

Country: DPRK
Former names: Wangomson, Ryugyong, Kison, Hwanseong, Nannan, Sogyong, Sodo, Hogyong, Chanan, Heijo
Area: 1,578 km²
Population: 4,138,187 people (2010)
Time zone: UTC+8:30
Telephone code: +850

Geography

Located on the banks of the Taedong River (Tedong) not far from its confluence with the Yellow Sea. Another river that flows through the city is the Pothongan. Forms a separate administrative unit with the status of a province. The population of modern Pyongyang and its suburbs exceeds 4 million people. The vast majority of residents are Koreans. Almost all residents of the city speak Korean.

Climate

The climate is monsoon with a sharp manifestation of different seasons and a clear distinction between the dry and rainy seasons. Although Korea is located at low latitudes and is surrounded on three sides by sea basins, its climate is more severe than in a number of countries located at the same latitude. In winter, powerful currents of cold, dry air coming from Transbaikalia and Mongolia bring dry, clear weather and frost to the Korean Peninsula. In summer, the country's territory is under the influence of oceanic air masses that bring abundant atmospheric moisture. During the three summer months, 50-60% of the annual precipitation falls. The average annual temperature is +10.6 °C. The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is about −6 °C, the hottest (August) is about +25 °C. An average of 933 millimeters of precipitation falls per year.
Compared to Seoul, Pyongyang's climate is cooler and there is slightly less rainfall.

Story

According to legend, Pyongyang was founded in 2334 BC under the name Wangomseong. It was the capital of the ancient Korean state of Gojoseon. However, this date is controversial and is not accepted by many historians who believe that the city was founded at the beginning of our era.
In 108 BC. e. The Han Dynasty conquered Gojoseon, establishing several military regions in its place. The capital of one of them, Lolan County, was founded near modern Pyongyang. Lolan was one of the dominant forces in the region until it was conquered in 313 by the rising state of Goguryeo.
In 427, Wang Goguryeo moved the capital of the state to Pyongyang. In 668, the Korean state of Silla, in alliance with the Chinese Tang dynasty, conquered Goguryeo. The city became part of Silla, remaining on the border with its northern neighbor - Parhae. Silla was replaced by the Goryeo Dynasty. During this period, Pyongyang increased its influence and was renamed Seogyong (서경; 西京; “Western Capital”), although Pyongyang was never actually the capital of Goryeo. During the Joseon Dynasty, it was the capital of Pyongan Province, and from 1896 until the end of the Japanese occupation, it was the capital of Pyongan Province.
In 1945, the period of Japanese occupation was over and Pyongyang fell into the zone of influence of the Soviet Union, becoming the temporary capital of the DPRK state formed in the north of the Korean Peninsula (Seoul, “temporarily” separated from the country, was then considered the permanent capital). During the Korean War, it was seriously damaged by aerial bombing and was occupied by UN troops from October to December 1950. After the war, with the help of the Soviet Union, the city was quickly restored.

Historical names

Tourism

Due to the almost complete isolation of the country from the rest of the world, tourism in Pyongyang is poorly developed. Most of the tourists come from China. To obtain a visa to the DPRK, you must submit an application to an official DPRK diplomatic or tourism mission no earlier than 20 days before departure. In special cases, a visa can be obtained at a crossing point on the border with the DPRK. In general, anyone can obtain a tourist visa, with the exception of journalists and residents of the United States and South Korea.
The import of literature about North and South Korea (except for those published in the DPRK), pornography, mobile phones, and propaganda literature is prohibited into North Korea. It is prohibited to photograph military installations, as well as to visit most attractions in informal clothing.
The government controls the movement of tourists around the city, developing special routes and sightseeing programs.

Kitchen

A feature of national Korean cuisine is a large amount of pepper and spices, but in almost all restaurants for tourists the spiciness of dishes is moderate. The chefs working here undergo long-term professional courses, so they can offer dishes from any cuisine in the world: from Kiev cutlets to Wiener schnitzel.
One of the most popular dishes in Pyongyang that every tourist should try is guksu. It consists of cold buckwheat noodles seasoned with broth, meat and vegetables. They also always offer to try kimchi. The basis of this dish is pickled cabbage, and it is complemented by a wide variety of additives: radishes, herbs, garlic, onions, peppers, shellfish and even fruits. In addition, “mandu” dumplings are ubiquitous, rack of pork ribs Kalbi, bulgogi kebabs and kadi-cha eggplant salad.
Coffee and tea are practically not consumed in the DPRK, but various decoctions and herbal infusions are popular here. Often, only alcoholic drinks are offered during meals: ginseng vodka, rice wine, fruit liqueurs, etc. Local beer is also common and tastes quite good.

Entertainment and relaxation

Pyongyang is not only the administrative but also the cultural capital of the DPRK, so there are numerous establishments here that offer an opportunity to get acquainted with the art and culture of this distinctive country. Thus, there are several large theaters in the city: the Moranbong Theater, the Mansudae Art Theater, the East Pyongyang Grand Theater, the Ponghwa Art Theater and the Grand Theater. Also, all guests of Pyongyang are invited to visit the Pyongyang International Cinema, the State Symphony Orchestra of Korea, the People's Army Circus and the Pyongyang Circus. However, the most unforgettable impressions are made by national holidays (Independence Day, Constitution Day, May Day, etc.), which are celebrated here with special scope and entertainment. Moreover, these are not only military parades and colorful processions, but also grandiose gymnastic performances, as well as competitions in various sports. Among the latter, it is worth highlighting “polt-twi-gi” (all-around), archery, “raw” (wrestling with fabric belts) and “sonma kekku” (wrestling without belts). Also, athletics, tennis, volleyball and football competitions are often held at the capital's stadiums.
If we talk about nightlife, then in Pyongyang it is literally absent, and almost all establishments close before midnight. But the city has about 200 parks and gardens, among which it is worth highlighting the Daesongsan and Mangyongdae amusement parks, the Kaesong Youth Park, as well as the Central Botanical Garden and the Kimirsenhwa and Kimjeongirhwa Flower Pavilion.

Safety

In Pyongyang, as throughout the country, the crime rate is very low, so tourists will definitely not encounter pickpockets, robbers or scammers here. In addition, every foreigner must be accompanied by a guide, who must not only introduce him to the country, but also ensure compliance with all local laws and norms of behavior.

Sights of Pyongyang

The capital of the DPRK, Pyongyang, is very different from other Asian capitals. Instead of noisy city streets and crowds, there is widespread order and discipline. On the first day, all foreign tourists are taken on a general sightseeing tour. If a tourist is alone, he travels by car; groups usually travel by bus. The visiting card of the city is the Juche Idea Tower, 170 meters high. The monument is decorated with golden letters spelling out the word “Juche”, and the top is crowned with a twenty-meter torch. In front of the tower there is a 30-meter sculpture of a worker, a peasant woman and an intellectual. In their hands is a crossed sickle, hammer and brush - the emblem of the Korean Workers' Party.
In general, in the capital, most of the monuments, of course, are associated with the name of Kim Il Sung and the Juche ideas. For example, the Chollima monument, symbolizing the will to great achievements, was built in honor of the leader’s 49th birthday (the height of the sculpture without the pedestal is 14 meters, and with it - 46 meters). The program also includes a visit to the Arc de Triomphe, built on the spot where the leader made a speech about the unity and independence of the Korean nation after the victory over Japan (the height of the arch is 60 meters, which is three meters higher than the famous arch of the same name in Paris).
One of the iconic places in Pyongyang is Kim Il Sung Square, the site of military parades and demonstrations, as well as mass gymnastics and dance performances that accompany national holidays. In the center of Pyongyang there is a sculpture of the leader about 70 meters high, and the Museum of the Korean Revolution is located nearby. Other famous landmarks include the Party Founding Monument, Liberation Monument, Reunification Arch, Comrade Kim Il Sung's Mausoleum and two huge stadiums - Kim Il Sung Stadium and May Day Stadium. The capacity of the May Day Stadium is 150 thousand people, that is, this stadium is the largest in the world.
Of the attractions not related to party ideas, the metro stations are undoubtedly worthy of attention. Not everyone is given access there, much less the right to take photographs, but it is worth showing tact and respect and still asking the receiving party about it. The capital's metro is a real work of art; The decoration here is more luxurious than in some local museums. Pyongyang, like other Korean megacities, is famous for its skyscrapers. One of the newest and most impressive buildings is the pyramid-shaped Ryugyong Hotel. Another amazing place is the fountains on the Taedong River, on the banks of which Pyongyang is built. These are unrivaled fountains in the world: two cascades rise to a height of 150 meters.

It is prohibited to import literature about North and South Korea (except for those published in the DPRK), pornography, mobile phones, and propaganda literature into North Korea. It is prohibited to photograph military installations, as well as to visit most attractions in informal clothing.

The government controls the movement of tourists around the city, developing special routes and sightseeing programs.

Attractions

During the Korean War (1950-1953), the city suffered greatly and was subsequently almost completely rebuilt. The new layout provided for wider streets, a large number of monuments and monumental structures.

The tallest building in the city is the unfinished Ryugyong Hotel with a height of 330 m. This hotel has 105 floors and a total floor area of 360 thousand m². However, in the 90s of the 20th century, construction was frozen, and the hotel is currently not functioning.

On April 15, 1961, on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the Chollima monument (Korean: “A thousand per hour”) was opened. According to the sculptors, it symbolized the will of the people for epoch-making achievements in the field of building socialism, moving “at the pace of Chollima” to prosperity of their homeland. The height of the monument is 46 meters, the height of the sculpture itself is 14 meters. The horse was saddled by a worker holding the “Red Letter” from the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and a peasant woman. The horse's front hooves are aimed at the sky, and its hind hooves seem to be pushing off the clouds.

One of the most famous places in Pyongyang is Kim Il Sung Square. Korean People's Army parades, demonstrations, and mass gymnastic and dance performances are held here on public holidays.

Other famous architectural attractions of Pyongyang are the monument in honor of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Liberation Monument built after World War II and two stadiums that are among the largest in the world - Kim Il Sung Stadium - 70,000 spectators, 48th largest in the world and “May Day Stadium” is the largest in the world, with a capacity of 150,000 spectators.

Story

Chronology

In 427, Wang Goguryeo moved the capital of the state to Pyongyang. In 668, the Korean state of Silla, in alliance with the Chinese Tang dynasty, conquered Goguryeo. The city became part of Silla, remaining on the border with its northern neighbor - Parhae. Silla was replaced by the Goryeo Dynasty. During this period, Pyongyang increased its influence and was renamed Sogyong, although in fact Pyongyang was never the capital of Koryo. During the Joseon Dynasty, it was the capital of Pyongan Province, and from 1896 until the end of the Japanese occupation, it was the capital of Pyongan Province.

Historical names

Over the course of its history, Pyongyang has changed many names. One of them was Ryugyong (류경; 柳京) or "willow capital", as at that time there were many willow trees throughout the city, which was reflected in medieval Korean literature. Nowadays, there are also many willow trees in the city, and the word Ryugyong appears frequently on the city map (see Ryugyong Hotel). Other names of the city in different periods were Kison, Hwanseong, Rannan, Sogyong, Sodo, Hogyong, Chanan. During the Japanese occupation, the city was known as Heizo (the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese characters 平壌 in the name of Pyongyang, written using hanja).

Geography

Climate

The climate is monsoon with a sharp manifestation of different seasons and a clear distinction between the dry and rainy seasons. Although Korea is located at low latitudes and is surrounded on three sides by sea basins, its climate is more severe than in a number of countries located at the same latitude. In winter, powerful currents of cold, dry air coming from the interior of the continent bring dry, clear weather and cold weather to the Korean Peninsula. In summer, the country's territory is under the influence of oceanic air masses that bring abundant atmospheric moisture. During the three summer months, 50-60% of the annual precipitation falls. The average annual temperature is +7.6C. The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is about −11C, the hottest month (August) is about +23C. An average of 925 millimeters of precipitation falls per year (most of it in summer).

Economy

Along with the country's special regions (Sinuiju and Kaesong), Pyongyang is the economic center of North Korea.

Transport

The city also has trolleybus and tram transport. Trolleybus service was opened on April 30, 1962. Tram service opened almost three decades later, on April 12, 1991, which is a rare case in world practice.

The number of private cars is small compared to most world capitals, although officials use a large fleet of Mercedes-Benz limousines.

International rail services operate between Pyongyang and the capitals of China and Russia. The journey to Beijing takes 25 hours 25 minutes (train K27 from Beijing / K28 from Pyongyang on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays); the road to Moscow takes 7 days.

Culture

Pyongyang is the cultural capital of North Korea. All the leading cultural institutions of the country are located here, and cultural exchange with other countries takes place from here. In particular, in November 2005, in Pyongyang, representatives of the North Korean government and the Russian embassy signed the “Plan for Cultural and Scientific Exchange for 2005-2007.” between the governments of the DPRK and the Russian Federation." There is active propaganda of national culture and art among the population. The Research Institute of Korean National Music and Choreography (NIIKNMH) was even created, which is located in the Pyongyang International House of Culture.

There are several cultural institutions in the city. Among them are:

The Moranbong Theater is the first theater built in the country after World War II. In December 2004, on the personal instructions of Kim Jong Il, the reconstruction of the theater began, ending in 2005.
Pyongyang Cultural and Exhibition Complex - opened in 1998. There are exhibitions of artists and photographers, as well as new books, ranging from ancient Buddhist texts to the works of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Also in this complex there are exhibitions of Korean applied art - pottery, embroidery, mosaics, etc.
State Symphony Orchestra of Korea - was established in August 1946. The repertoire includes mainly national works (patriotic and glorifying the country's leaders) and classics from Russian opera and ballet. In total, the orchestra's program includes more than 140 musical works.
Mansudae Art Theater
House of Culture "April 25"
Pyongyang Grand Theater
East Pyongyang Grand Theater
Central Youth House
Bonghwa Art Theater
Pyongyang Circus
People's Army Circus
People's Palace of Culture
Pyongyang International House of Culture
Pyongyang International Cinema
Korean Revolution Museum
Museum of Victory in the Patriotic Liberation War
Exhibition of achievements of three revolutions
Kimirsaenghwa and Kimjeongirhwa Flower Pavilion
Korean Art Gallery
Korea Central History Museum
Ethnographic Museum of Korea

Pyongyang(Korean: 평양, 平壤, Pyongyang listen)) is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). Pyongyang is the administrative, cultural and historical center of the country. The word “Pyongyang” (according to Kontsevich’s system is transcribed into Cyrillic as Pyongyang) in Korean means “wide land”, “cozy area”. In 1946, the city was removed from the province of Pyongan-nam-do and received the status of a city of direct subordination (chikhalsi) - an administrative status at the provincial level.

Attractions ==
During the Korean War (1950-1953), the city suffered greatly and was subsequently almost completely rebuilt. The new layout provided for wider streets, a large number of monuments and monumental structures.

The tallest building in the city is the Ryugyong Hotel with a height of 332 m (105 floors), the total area of the premises is 360 thousand m². The construction of this hotel, which began in 1987 and was suspended in the 90s, has continued since 2008 with the participation of foreign companies. (Kiryanov O. Foreign investors want to complete the largest long-term construction project in North Korea // Rossiyskaya Gazeta. December 12, 2008.)

On April 15, 1961, on the occasion of Kim Il Sung's 49th birthday, the Chollima monument was opened ( cor. "A thousand per hour"), as conceived by the sculptors, symbolizing the will of the people for epoch-making achievements in the field of building socialism, moving “at the pace of Chollima” towards the prosperity of their Motherland. The height of the monument is 46 meters, the height of the sculpture itself is 14 meters. The horse was saddled by a worker holding the “Red Letter” from the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, and a peasant woman. The horse's front hooves are aimed at the sky, and its hind hooves seem to be pushing off the clouds.