Ganghwa Island,
incorporated into Incheon metropolitan city from Gyeonggi province in 1995, has
been recognized and preserved for it’s important role in Korea’s history, from
the prehistoric age to modern times.
Ganghwa is an island in the estuary of the Han River, on the
west coast of South Korea. Ganghwa Island is separated from Gimpo, on the
mainland, by a narrow channel, which is spanned by two bridges. The main
channel of the Han River separates the island from Gaeseong in North Korea.
About 65,500 people live on the island. With an area of
302.4 km2 (116.8 sq mi), it constitutes most of Ganghwa County, a division of
Incheon Municipality. About half of the island's population resides in
Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa Town, in the northeastern part of the island.
The island's highest point is Mani-san, 469 m (1,539 ft)
above sea level. The island measures 28 kilometers (17 mi) long and 22
kilometers (14 mi) wide, and is the 4th largest island in South
Korea.
The major stage of Ganghwa’s history came around the late
period of Koryo dynasty. During the national conflict against Mongolian's
invasion, the capital was transferred to Ganghwa from Gaeseong for the period
of 1232 and 1270. Ganghwa was deemed a
most appropriate refuge to keep themselves safely from the invasion of
Mongolian forces. The world famous treasure Palman daejanggyeong, 80,000 sheets
of Buddah's scriptures could possibly have been engraved during the invasion.
The importance of
Ganghwa as a refuge shelter had been successively chosen during Chosun dynasty;
two incidents Manchurian invasion, Jeongmyo-horan, in 1627 and Byeongja horan
1636 forced King Injo to take refuge in the island, taking advantage of the
natural strategic environment to defend themselves from the enemy attack.
Thereafter, Ganghwa had accordingly installed many military facilities to meet
the pre-requisite of defending capital; castles, military bases, forts,
outposts, batteries and beacon fire mounds etc.
In the later period of the Chosun dynasty, a few incidents
of the western power's invasion and Japan made the it the most important
military base to have the capital fully defended. Historically, it is
significant as being the location of separate punitive incursions; by the
French in 1866, the United States in 1871, and the Japanese in 1875 when Korea
was emerging from isolation.
Many relics and remains of prehistoric age, Old Stone Age
and New Stone Age have been found of their various vestiges in Jangjeongni,
Sagiri, Dongmagni. Symbolic huge stone relics of Bronze Age, more than 80
dolmens, were discovered in the vicinity of Bugeunni and neighboring area, of
which giant tombs revealed the existence of inhabitants there.
Dangun, the founder of Gojoseon, is said to have made an
altar on top of Mani-san and offered sacrifices to his ancestors. His three
sons built a legendary Samnangseong castle and relics of Bongcheondae,
Bonggaji, Bongeunsa temple, Stone Buddah statue relating to the tales of Bong's
family apparently signify the Ganghwa a holy land of Korea and the peoples
throughout it's history.
About 70% of Ganghwa's citizens are engaged in farming,
mainly rice. Fishery and forestry are other occupations practiced. Hwamunseok is a well-known traditional fancy
matting. Since the Goryeo dynasty (10th -14th centuries),
hwamunseok has been produced and exported to China and Japan. The mats are
produced in the home handicraft industry.
The Ganghwa turnip is a specialty of the area. It has been
cultivated since the 5th century. This is recorded in the 17th
-century Dongui Bogam book of oriental medicine.
Check out more information at http:// english.ganghwa.incheon.kr/
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