Busan (Busan Metropolitan City)
Area: 296.3 mi²
Population: approximately 3.6 million
Language: Korean
Religion: Christianity, Buddhism, and Confucianism
Located at the southern tip of the Korean Penninsula, Busan (romanised as Pusan before 2000), is the second largest city in South Korea after Seoul. It is also the largest port city in South Korea and the world's fifth busiest seaport by cargo tonnage. Often called ‘summer capital of South Korea’ and well known for its beaches, mountains and temples, the city is officially known as the Busan Metropolitan City and is home to the world's largest department store, the Shinsegae Centum City.
Busan is an international business and financial center and renowned for its machinery, steel, ship building and marine industries, fashion, tourism and trade fairs. It is home to the headquarters of companies such as the BNK Financial Group, Renault Samsung Motors, Busan Bank, Air Busan, Korea Technology Finance Corporation, Korea Asset Management Corporation, Korea Housing-Finance Corporation and Korea Securities Depository.
Located two-and-a-half-hour train ride from Seoul, the city has hosted international events such as the 2002 14th Asian Games and the final match of the Korea/Japan World Cup. The Busy Haeundae Beach features the Sea Life Aquarium, plus a Folk Square with traditional games such as tug-of-war, while Gwangalli Beach has many bars and views of modern Diamond Bridge. Beomeosa Temple, a Buddhist shrine founded in 678 A.D., is at the base of Geumjeong Mountain, which has hiking trails.