People of South Korea from CIA World Factbook

Population:	48,846,823 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:	0-14 years: 18.9% (male 4,844,083/female 4,368,139) 15-64 years: 71.9% (male 17,886,148/female 17,250,862) 65 years and over: 9.2% (male 1,818,677/female 2,678,914) (2006 est.)
Median age:	total: 35.2 years male: 34.2 years female: 36.3 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:	0.42% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:	10 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:	5.85 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:	0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:	at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:	total: 6.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:	total population: 77.04 years male: 73.61 years female: 80.75 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:	1.27 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:	less than 0.1% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:	8,300 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:	less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:	noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean
Ethnic groups:	homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)
Religions:	Christian 26%, Buddhist 26%, Confucianist 1%, no affiliation 46%, other 1%
Languages:	Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school
Literacy:	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.9% male: 99.2% female: 96.6% (2002)

South Korea Economy Overview from CIA World Factbook

Economy - overview:

Since the 1960s, South Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth and integration into the high-tech modern world economy. Four decades ago, GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. In 2004, South Korea joined the trillion dollar club of world economies. Today its GDP per capita is equal to the lesser economies of the EU. This success was achieved by a system of close government/business ties, including directed credit, import restrictions, sponsorship of specific industries, and a strong labor effort. The government promoted the import of raw materials and technology at the expense of consumer goods and encouraged savings and investment over consumption. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-99 exposed longstanding weaknesses in South Korea's development model, including high debt/equity ratios, massive foreign borrowing, and an undisciplined financial sector. GDP plunged by 6.9% in 1998, then recovered by 9.5% in 1999 and 8.5% in 2000. Growth fell back to 3.3% in 2001 because of the slowing global economy, falling exports, and the perception that much-needed corporate and financial reforms had stalled. Led by consumer spending and exports, growth in 2002 was an impressive 7%, despite anemic global growth. Between 2003 and 2006, growth moderated to about 4-5%. A downturn in consumer spending was offset by rapid export growth. Moderate inflation, low unemployment, an export surplus, and fairly equal distribution of income characterize this solid economy.

Background to South Korea from CIA World Factbook

Background:

An independent Korean state or collection of states has existed almost continuously for several millennia. Between its initial unification in the 7th century - from three predecessor Korean states - until the 20th century, Korea existed as a single independent country. In 1905, following the Russo-Japanese War, Korea became a protectorate of imperial Japan, and in 1910 it was annexed as a colony. Korea regained its independence following Japan's surrender to the United States in 1945. After World War II, a Republic of Korea (ROK) was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a Communist-style government was installed in the north (the DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside soldiers from the ROK to defend South Korea from DPRK attacks supported by China and the Soviet Union. An armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income rising to roughly 14 times the level of North Korea. In 1993, KIM Young-sam became South Korea's first civilian president following 32 years of military rule. South Korea today is a fully functioning modern democracy. In June 2000, a historic first North-South summit took place between the South's President KIM Dae-jung and the North's leader KIM Jong Il.

Welcome to CaliKorea

This blog invites people from all over the world who are interested in learning more about California and its people, as well as making new friends.We are in the proccess of creating our own website under CaliWorldFriends, and creating sister blogs, and websites, representing some of the many international communities represented here in California.So, be on the lookout for other sister websites where people from representative communities will participate. The following online communities are underway:CaliRomania, CaliChina, CaliIndia, CaliRussia, and CaliVietnam,for starters.We plan on creating an online environment for friendship and the exchange of information for people of different cultures residing in or out of California.Won't you join us?Please attach comments with any ideas you have in making this dream a reality enjoyed by all.