Gwanak District

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Gwanak
관악구
관악구 · 冠岳區
Newgwanaskacomplete.JPG
Flag of Gwanak, Seoul.svg
Seoul Gwanak-gu.svg
Location of Gwanak-gu in Seoul
Coordinates: 37°28′42″N126°57′06″E / 37.4784°N 126.9516°E / 37.4784; 126.9516
Country South Korea
Region Sudogwon
Special City Seoul
Administrative dong21
Area
  Total29.57 km2 (11.42 sq mi)
Population
 (2010 [1] )
  Total520,849
  Density18,000/km2 (46,000/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+9 (Korea Standard Time)
Postal code
08700 ~ 08899
Area codes +82-2-5xx, 8xx
Website Gwanak-gu official website
Gwanak District

Gwanak District (Gwanak-gu) is an administrative subdivision (gu) of Seoul, South Korea. It lies on the southern skirt of Seoul, bordering Anyang of Gyeonggi Province. The southern border of Gwanak-gu, bordering Anyang, consists of the craggy ridgeline of Gwanaksan (Mt. Gwanak), which dominates the local geography.

Contents

Originally a part of Siheung, Gyeonggi, it was transferred to Seoul with the rapid expansion of the National Capital Area and its population growth in 1960s. Partitioned from Yeongdeungpo District and established as a district in 1973, it now neighbours the Seocho, Dongjak, Guro, and Geumcheon Districts, and exercises jurisdiction over 21 neighbourhoods (dong), with a population of 500,000.

Overview

Gwanak District is densely populated with over 500,000 people. While it was once a rural area dominated by the presence of Gwanaksan (Mt. Gwanak), population booms in the late 1950s and early 1960s, accompanied by rapid industrialization of the capital area, quickly changed the town into a mosaic of dense residential and industrial areas. Large slum quarters were formed by migrant populations from all over Korea who sought jobs in industrialized Seoul. A series of redevelopment projects starting in the 1970s, and the relocation of Seoul National University to the district, led to a reduction of slum quarters and indigent textile industries and transformed the town into a residential uptown neighborhood of Seoul. The area is also heavily populated by university students from surrounding provinces.

Commercial zones

Central commercial zones include the Seorim and Daehak area and the Cheongnyong area near Seoul National University. These areas also form a large zone of private dormitories and small houses, which primarily target university students and national examination takers (gosi-saeng) looking for an environment that is favorable for studying. Restaurants, supermarkets, bars and pubs in the area are centered in Nokdu Street (Nokdu-geori) in the Daehak area and near Seoul National University Station. Other commercial zones for residents are located along the Nambu Beltway and two main roads.

The main shopping district, the Bongcheon Central Market (Bongcheon-jungang-sijang), is positioned in Jungang Neighbourhood, north from Seoul National University Station.

Transportation

Nambu Beltway, which circles Seoul, passes through the very center of the district. The beltway and two main avenues, Gwanak Road (Gwanak-ro) and Sillim Road (Sillim-ro), make the main route of the automobile traffic. Nambu Beltway is connected to multiple expressways.

Public transportation

Green Line (Line 2) and Blue Line (Line 4) of Seoul Metro links Gwanak District and other areas. Many trunk (painted in blue) buses such as 501, 506, 651 and 750 lines, and branch (in green) buses in 5XXX or X5XX line passes Gwanak area. [2]

Metro stations

Administrative divisions

Administrative divisions 01-21-gwanak-en.svg
Administrative divisions

There are three statutory subdivisions: Sillim, Bongcheon and Namhyeon Neighbourhood. Those are further divided into multiple administrative neighbourhoods (dong) to balance excessive populations and for administrative expedience. As of September 2008, there are 21 administrative neighbourhoods in Gwanak District. [3]

Statutory NeighbourhoodAdministrative Neighbourhood Hangul Hanja
Sillim Seowon서원書院
Sinwon신원新源
Seorim서림西林
Nangok난곡蘭谷
Sinsa신사新士
Sillim신림新林
Samseong삼성三聖
Nanhyang난향蘭香
Jowon조원棗園
Daehak대학大學
Miseong미성美星
Bongcheon Euncheon은천殷川
Seonghyeon성현成賢
Cheongnyong청룡靑龍
Boramae보라매No hanja notation
Cheongnim청림靑林
Haengun행운幸運
Nakseongdae낙성대落星垈
Jungang중앙中央
Inheon인헌仁憲
Namhyeon Namhyeon남현南峴

Points of interest

Seoul National University main gate SNU gate.jpg
Seoul National University main gate

Sister cities

Notable people from Gwanak District

See also

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References

  1. "A Korean Statistical Information Service (Korean) : Population and Household : Census Result (2010) : Population by Administrative district, Sex and Age / Alien by Administrative district and sex". Kosis.kr. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  2. "Seoul Metropolitan Government – "A Clean, Attractive & Global City, Seoul!"". Archived from the original on 23 August 2008. Retrieved 23 August 2008.
  3. "[서울신문] "봉천동은 이제 잊어주세요"". Seoul Shinmun . Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  4. 20대 아이돌과 27년 전 아이돌 (Feat. 르세라핌) , retrieved 11 September 2023