Seoul

Seoul 서울
Seoul Special City
Old and new buildings in the downtown of Seoul
Flag Seal
Country	South Korea
Founding	18 BC
Government
• Mayor	Oh Se-hoon
Area
• Total	610 km2 (240 sq mi)

Seoul (Korean: 서울) is the biggest city of the Republic of Korea (South Korea), and its capital. Its official name is Seoul Special City (Korean: 서울특별시 Seoul Teukbyeolsi). It has a population of 10 million which is about 1/5 of the Korean population and 1/7 of Korea peninsula, and covers an area of 610 km² that is only 0.6% of South Korea. It is the 6th most populated city in the world, and 7th most crowded. Seoul is the center of politics, economy, culture, transportation, and education for South Korea.

Seoul is in the middle of Korea. Han River (한강 Han-gang) is a major river in South Korea and the fourth longest river on the Korean peninsula. This river goes across Central Seoul.

Seoul hosted the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Olympic Games.