Why Jeju Island
Jeju Island is the largest island in South Korea, situated in the Korea Strait approximately 82.8 kilometers south of the mainland Korean Peninsula. Covering an area of 1,833.2 square kilometers, this oval-shaped landmass makes up the vast majority of Jeju Province. Renowned for its unique volcanic landscape, the destination relies heavily on tourism and related commercial activity to power its local economy.
The region was formed roughly two million years ago during the Pleistocene epoch through submarine volcanic eruptions and consists primarily of basalt and lava. At its center rises Mount Hallasan, South Korea's highest mountain at 1,947 meters, surrounded by a gentle slope and around 360 small extinct volcanic cones known locally as oreum. Distinct natural features mark the perimeter of the island, including Gimnyeong Beach to the north, Songak Mountain to the south, Suwolbong to the west, and Seongsan Ilchulbong to the east.
Recognized globally for its unique geological formations, the destination includes a UNESCO natural World Heritage Site comprising the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes. Uncultivated forests known as gotjawal cover approximately 12 percent of the terrain, preserved for centuries because their rough lava bases made agricultural development difficult. These pristine forested habitats filter rainwater directly into underlying aquifers, supplying the essential groundwater relied upon by roughly half a million local residents.
Human habitation on the island extends back to the early Neolithic era. The indigenous Jeju people maintain a distinct cultural heritage, including one of the most intact traditions of Korean Shamanism. The native Jeju language is classified as critically endangered by UNESCO. Over the centuries, the territory was known by numerous historical names, including Tamna and Quelpart, the latter used extensively by European cartographers and explorers prior to the 20th century.
Jeju Island features a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are relatively mild, with coastal temperatures seldom falling below freezing, though northern areas like Jeju City experience colder conditions due to continental seasonal winds. The southern district of Seogwipo remains warmer in winter because Mount Hallasan blocks these cold airflows, though it receives significant rainfall from monsoon currents. Highlands in the central interior experience colder temperatures and record the highest annual precipitation in the country.
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