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The '''Republic of Korea''', commonly called '''South Korea''', is a democratic ally of the U.S. in East Asia. Its capital is [[Seoul]], and it shares a border--the most heavily-fortified border in the world--with [[North Korea]].<ref>http://www.sofmag.com/news/permalink/2006/10/10/2132098393004.html</ref>)  South Korea was formed in 1945 after the Japanese colonial control was ended, and the Communists took control of the north, dividing Korea along the 38th parallel according to an agreement between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

The '''Republic of Korea''', commonly called '''South Korea''', is a democratic ally of the U.S. in East Asia. Its capital is [[Seoul]], and it shares a border--the most heavily-fortified border in the world--with [[North Korea]].<ref>http://www.sofmag.com/news/permalink/2006/10/10/2132098393004.html</ref>)  South Korea was formed in 1945 after the Japanese colonial control was ended, and the Communists took control of the north, dividing Korea along the 38th parallel according to an agreement between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

*South Korea, a robust [[democracy]] since 1987, has embraced the [[free market]] and grown to become the world's 13th-largest economy, a leader in consumer electronics and home to the fastest [[internet]] connections on the planet. Plus it has Gangnam Style.

*South Korea, a robust [[democracy]] since 1987, has embraced the [[free market]] and grown to become the world's 13th-largest economy, a leader in consumer electronics and home to the fastest [[internet]] connections on the planet.

==Geography==

==Geography==

[[File:Hyangwonjeong at Gyeongbokgung Palace Seoul South Korea.jpg|thumb|left|Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul.]]

[[File:Hyangwonjeong at Gyeongbokgung Palace Seoul South Korea.jpg|thumb|left|Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul.]]

*Area: 98,477 sq. km. (38,022 sq. mi.); about the size of Indiana, and less important to your average redneck.

*Area: 98,477 sq. km. (38,022 sq. mi.); about the size of Indiana.

*Cities (2005): Capital--[[Seoul]] (10.3 million). Other major cities--Busan (3.7 million), Daegu (2.5 million), [[Incheon]] (2.6 million), Gwangju (1.4 million), Daejeon (1.5 million), Ulsan (1.0 million).

*Cities (2005): Capital--[[Seoul]] (10.3 million). Other major cities--Busan (3.7 million), Daegu (2.5 million), [[Incheon]] (2.6 million), Gwangju (1.4 million), Daejeon (1.5 million), Ulsan (1.0 million).

*Terrain: Partially forested mountain ranges separated by deep, narrow valleys; cultivated plains along the coasts, particularly in the west and south.

*Terrain: Partially forested mountain ranges separated by deep, narrow valleys; cultivated plains along the coasts, particularly in the west and south.

According to 2005 census data, the% ages of adherents to the predominant religious communities are: Buddhist, 22.8%; Protestant, 18.3%; and Roman Catholic, 10.9% .<ref> See [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108411.htm U.S. State Department "International Religious Freedom Report 2008"]</ref>

According to 2005 census data, the% ages of adherents to the predominant religious communities are: Buddhist, 22.8%; Protestant, 18.3%; and Roman Catholic, 10.9% .<ref> See [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108411.htm U.S. State Department "International Religious Freedom Report 2008"]</ref>

No official figures were available on the membership of other religious groups, which include Jehovah's Witnesses, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Seventh-day Adventist Church, Daesun Jinrihoe, Unification Church, Islam, and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

No official figures were available on the membership of other religious groups, which include Jehovah's Witnesses, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Seventh-day Adventist Church, Daesun Jinrihoe, Unification Church, and Islam.

According to Gallup Korea's 2004 survey on the state of religion in the country, 36% of those who practiced a faith reported that they attended religious services or rituals at a church or temple more than once a week, 11% attended two to three times per month, 21% attended once or twice a year, and 4.9% did not attend services. Of those who attended more than once a week, Protestants had the highest attendance rate at 71%, Catholics 43%, and Buddhists 3.5%.

According to Gallup Korea's 2004 survey on the state of religion in the country, 36% of those who practiced a faith reported that they attended religious services or rituals at a church or temple more than once a week, 11% attended two to three times per month, 21% attended once or twice a year, and 4.9% did not attend services. Of those who attended more than once a week, Protestants had the highest attendance rate at 71%, Catholics 43%, and Buddhists 3.5%.