3.20.11 Jeonju Facts

It's time for facts about Jeonju City (전주시).

Coordinates: 35°49' N, 127° 09' E 

Population: 649,500 
Elevation: 177 feet

Although Jeonju has been an important population center in North Jeolla Province (전라북도), the modern founding of the city was in 1949. It is a transportation and agricultural center in the heart of the country's most densely populated and richest rice-growing area. Food processing, education, and textile manufacturing are the chief industries, along with the production of paper, plastics, boots, and tires. Its mountaineous location and many historical sites make it a popular hiking destination as well. The city also has a zoo, a large park, and the Samsung Sound and Culture Hall, a large, modern concert complex on the Chonbuk National University Campus.

Other bits of info:

• Jeonju is famous for bibimbap (비빔밥), a traditional rice dish with vegetables and hot chilli sauce. 
• Jeonju is divided into 2 wards, Deonkjin-gu (덕진구) and Wansan-gu (완산구), which in turn are divided into approximately 40 neighborhoods.
• The National Jeonju Museum exhibits ancient relics from the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC - 668 AD).
• There are many other museums, as well as temples, a castle fortress on a hillside, and a well-known paper gallery. 
• The annual paper fashion show is famous throughout Asia. It features both couture and traditional Korean clothing made of paper.
• The Jeonju Hanok Maeul (한옥마을) is a traditional-style village located in the heart of Jeonju, housing over 800 traditional "hanok" style buildings. It contains many traditional tea shops, souvenir shops, and restaurants.
• Jeonju is famous for strawberries and exceptional produce.
• The Jeonju International Film Festival draws about 50,000 visitors annually.