Seoul

Seoul (서울) listen 'sʌ ul] is the capital of South Korea and is located on the Han River in the country's northwest. The city is situated about 30 miles (~50 km) south of the North Korean border, also known as the de-militarised zone (DMZ). Seoul is an ancient city, having served as the historic capital of the Baekje Dynasty (18 BCE – 660 CE) and Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The city became the capital of Korea in 1394, two years after the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty. Designated the status of a Special City, Seoul is administered directly by the national government.

With over ten million people, Seoul is South Korea's largest city and one of the largest cities in the world by population. Covering an area of only 605 square kilometres, smaller than New York City or Tokyo, it is one of the world's most densely populated major cities. Seoul is also one of the world's most digitally-connected cities with more Internet users than all of sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa.

The Greater Seoul metropolitan area, which includes the major port city of Incheon, has almost 23 million inhabitants making it the second most populous metropolitan area in the world, after Greater Tokyo. Almost one fourth of South Korea's entire population lives in the Seoul National Capital Area, and nearly one half in the Greater Seoul Area, making it the country's political, cultural, and economic centre, as well as a centre for international business. The city has played a key role in South Korea's economic development and has been referred to as the "Miracle on the Han River".

Seoul hosts more than three million registered vehicles and widespread traffic congestion is common. In recent years, the metropolitan government has undertaken extensive clean up of the city's air and water pollution. The revival of Cheonggyecheon, a stream that flows through Seoul city centre, was a recent major urban beautification project.