Gwanak District

Gwanak
관악구
Autonomous District
관악구 · 冠岳區


Location of Gwanak-gu in Seoul
Country South Korea
Region Sudogwon
Special City Seoul
Administrative dong 21
Area
 • Total 29.57 km2 (11.42 sq mi)
Population (2010[1])
 • Total 520,849
 • Density 18,000/km2 (46,000/sq mi)
Time zone Korea Standard Time (UTC+9)
Postal code 08700 ~ 08899
Area code(s) +82-2-500,800
Website Gwanak-gu official website

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.

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 from 1970's, 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 express ways.

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

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 Neighbourhood Administrative Neighbourhood Hangul Hanja
Sillim Seowon 서원 書院
Sinwon 신원 新源
Seorim 서림 西林
Nangok 난곡 蘭谷
Sinsa 신사 新士
Sillim 신림 新林
Samseong 삼성 三聖
Nanhyang 난향 蘭香
Jowon 조원 棗園
Daehak 대학 大學
Miseong 미성 美星
Bongcheon Euncheon 은천 殷川
Seonghyeon 성현 成賢
Cheongnyong 청룡 靑龍
Boramae 보라매 No hanja notation
Cheongnim 청림 靑林
Haengun 행운 幸運
Nakseongdae 낙성대 落星垈
Jungang 중앙 中央
Inheon 인헌 仁憲
Namhyeon Namhyeon 남현 南峴

Points of interest

Seoul National University main gate

Sister cities

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gwanak-gu, Seoul.

Coordinates: 37°28′42″N 126°57′06″E / 37.4784°N 126.9516°E / 37.4784; 126.9516

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