Locaon ILocated at 126 59' E and 37 34' N, Seoul is at the heart of the Korean Pen- insula. The city is nearly equidistant from the southeastern port of Busan and the northwestern town of Sinuiju on the China-North Korea border. The city is also conveniently located in the middle of several major northeast Asian metropolises, such as Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai and Taipei. The city is some 30.3 km from north to south and 36.78 km east to west. Its total area is 605.41 square kilometers, making it a truly large metropolis. Seoul sits in a natural basin. Surround- ing the city are a number of peaks of 500 meters or more above sea level. These peaks have historically played the role of a natural fortress, provid- ing the city with protecon from in- vasion. In fact, the mountains were a key reason behind the locaon's selecon as the naonal capital. Culture Taekwondo is a maral art form and sport that that uses the hands and feet for aack and defense. The fo- cus of Taekwondo is on training and disciplining the mind along with the body. For those learning the mar- al art it plays four different roles. Han Style In Asia, the 80's were a me for “ Hong Kong noir”, whereas the 90's were more an age of Japa- nese animaon. As we connue into the 2000s, Korean music and dramas connue to hit all the right notes. Interest in Korea, triggered by the success of leading Korean dramas and popular music, has escalated to include a host of other aspects of Korean culture, such as hangeul (Ko- rean alphabet), hansik (Korean food), hanbok (tradional Korean clothing), hanok (tradional Korean houses), hanji (tradional Korean paper), as well as Korean music. UNESCO World Heritage of Korea World Cultural Heritage Sites Korea’s Cultural Heritage conveys a genuine sentiment of simplicity and peacefulness. A total of eight Kore- an cultural sites are registered on the list of World Cultural Heritage Sites including Jongmyo Shrine (1995); Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon Hall (1995); Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto (1995); Hwaseong Fortress (1997); Changdeokgung Palace (1997); Gyeongju Historic Areas(2000); Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites (2000); and, finally, the 40 Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty (2009). WIntangible Heritage of Human- ity List The Royal Ancestral Ritual in the Jongmyo Shrine and its Mu- sic (2001); The Pansori Epic Chant (2003); The Gangneung Danoje Festival (2005); Ganggangsullae Dance (2009); Namsadang-nori Per- formance (2009); Yeongsanjae Bud- dhist Ritual (2009); Jeju Chilmeori- dang-yeongdeung-gut Shaman Ritual (2009); and the Cheoyongmu Dance (2009). Memory of the World Reg- ister The Korean documents declared UNESCO Memory of the World in- clude the Hunminjeongeum Manu- script(1997); Joseonwangjosillok, the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty (1997); Seungjeongwon Ilgi, the Diaries of the Royal Secretariat (2001); Jikji Simche Yojeol, the Second Volume of “Anthology of Great Buddhist Priests’ Zen Teachings” (2001); Printing Woodblocks of the Tripitaka Koreana and Miscellaneous Buddhist Scrip- tures (2007); Uigwe, the Royal Pro- tocols of the Joseon Dynasty (2007); and Donguibogam, the Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine (2009). Homework9Brochure.indd 1 11/18/09 2:01 AM