Geography of Asadal
Asadal is a highly mountainous country, with the southern, central and eastern regions being mostly covered by mountain ranges such as the Juyohan, Bulgeuseulemhan, Heulin, or the Bianje mountains. The Baekje Plateau, with an average elevation over 3,000 metres, covers most of the central and southern region, being surrounded by the Juyohan, Bulgeuseulemhan, and Bianje mountain ranges.
In the north, the Bunhal mountain range divides in two the regions of Bukjjeo and Hwangsaeggi, which are largely covered by semi-desert basins surrounded by mountains. Finally, the Sesogjeong Mountains, in the north, serves as a natural border between Asadal and the northern coastal nations such as The Iwi.
Hwangjin
Population: 371,789
Average elevation: 3,656 m
Region: Jungganuk
The city of Hwangjin has been the religious and administrative capital of the country since the 15th century. It has an average elevation of about 3,600 m and lies in the center of the Baekje Plateau with the surrounding mountains rising 5,000 m. The air only contains 68% of the oxygen compared to sea level.
The city is divided into the Inner Hwangjin and the Outer Hwangjin. Most of the population lives in Outer Hwangjin. Inner Hwangjin, on the hand, located in the northwestern area in the capital, is an enclosed district, meaning that special administrative pass is required to enter and leave the district, as well as government authorization for renting or buy real estate inside the district. In Inner Hwangjin is also located the Heavenly Palace, the offical residence of the Grand King and most important members of the court.
Gyeongseon
Population: 3,243,200
Average elevation: 800 m
Region: Bukjjeo
Gyeongseon is the largest city in Asadal, and it has a reputation as a leading cultural and commercial center since the 19th century. The city has seen significant economic development since the 1960s and currently serves as regional transport node and a cultural, political and commercial center.
Although surrounded by the desert, the city area is naturally watered by a number of small rivers flowing from the snow-capped mountains. A network consisting of canals, reservoirs and tunnels redistribute the water throughout the extensively irrigated area along to the foothills of the nearby mountain range.
Gyeongseon is considered the industrial heart of the country, and it hosts a large number of consulates as the city is considered as the hub of diplomatic activity particularly regarding economic and trade affairs, while Hwangjin is considered more focused on administrative and political affairs.
The capital city of Asadal was moved to Gyeongseon twice, during the Great War in the 18th century, and from 1967 to 1972.
Jungganuk
Jungganuk, sometimes known as Upper Asadal, where the Hwangjin capital city is located, is the largest region in the country. The region, with a population over 3,210,328, is located along the Baekje Plateau, in a highly mountainous area. The Baekje Plateau is surrounded by several mountain ranges. It is bordered to the west by the Bianje mountain range, to the south and east by the Juyohan Mountains, to the north by the Bulgeuseulemhan mountain rage, which separate it from the Hwangsaeggi region, and the Miseongnyeonja Mountains to the northeast along the Hayanttangam region. In western Jungganuk, elevations reach an average of over 4,000 metres.
The region is of great cultural and religious importance in Asadal, beyond the capital city, as it has a large number of temples and religious sites which makes the region an important center of pilgrimage which has an important impact in the tourism industry.
Bukjjeo
The northern region of Bukjjeo is the most populated region in Asadal with over 13,834,740 people. The Bunhal mountain range separates it from the Hwangsaeggi region. Its capital city is Gyeongseon, with Sipjaekje, Mongchongyang, Gongcheong, and Punggyang as other important urban centers.
The region is located in a semi-desert basin surrounded by high mountains. Only a gap in the mountains between the Bunhal mountain range and the northern Sesogjeong Mountains allows moist air masses to provide the basin lands with enough humidity to remain semi-desert rather than becoming a true desert and allow a thin layer of vegetation to grow. The Geonjohangong Desert covers most of the region.
The region has large estimated oil and gas reserves. Other economic sectors include mining industry, agriculture, textile sector, and food processing.
Hwangsaeggi
The region of Hwangsaeggi, with a population over 8,948,460, is located in northwestern Asadal. Pyeongnap, the capital city of the region, has a population over half million.
Hwangsaeggi is located along the Seojjogui Basin, which is surrounded by several mountain ranges. Most of the Seojjogui Basic is occupied by the Bulgeunttang Desert which is too dry for permanent habitation. Most of the population lives along the Nolansaeg, Idon, and Pyeong rivers on the northern side of the region.
Agriculture is the main economic sector in the region. Other economic sectors include the production of weaving, cement, and chemical industries. While the region is much poorer than the nearby region of Bukjjeo, for example, it has greatly economic importance due that Gungju, the main port-of-entry in the country, is located in the western Hwangsaeggi border.
The climate is severely dry nine months of the year. The region is subject to high temperatures in the summer and intense cold in the winter.
Yeogaehanam
The region of Yeogaehanam is located in the northeastern side of the Baekje Plateau. The region is located in a mountainous area, with an average elevation of approximately 3,000 metres. Yeogaehanam has a population over 5,213,082. Its capital city is Soburisanseong, with a population over 1,563,836, host about one third of the region's population.
Its main economic sectors include agriculture, tourism, iron and steel production, and oil and natural gas. Salt works also operate at many of the province's northern salt lakes. Outside of the capital city, Soburisanseong, most of the region remains underdeveloped.
As consequence to the high altitude, the region has quite cold winters, mild summers, and a large day temperature variation. The region is also prone to heavy winds during late Winter and early Spring. Significant rainfall occurs mainly in summer, while precipitation is very low in winter and spring, generally low enough to keep much of the province semi-arid or arid.
Hayanttangam
Hayyanttangam, the smallest region of the country, is located in eastern Asadal. It has a population of over 1,770,436. The region is mostly mountainous, with average elevation from 2,000 to 3,500 metres. The region is geologically active with landslides and earthquakes.
Generally, the region has cool to very cold winters and mild summers, temperature generally decrease with greater elevation. However, the areas of greater elevation feature extremely cold winters down to -30ºC and even cold summer nights.
Hayanttangam is the poorest region in the country. The region is mostly rural, with subsistence agriculture and tourism as main source of revenue for most households. The region has also a large Christian community. Since the 1940s, the region has experienced anti-government insurgency.
Other main cities and towns of Asadal
City | Population | Region | Elevation | Climate | Description |
Soburisanseong | 1,563,836 | Yeogaehanam | 2,275 m | Cold semi-arid climate | Capital city of the Yeogaehanam region, it serves as the main point of connection between Hwangjin and the northern regions. |
Pyeongnap | 556,000 | Hwangsaeggi | 1,253 m | Cold desert climate | The city economy is mostly agricultural, with cotton, in particular long-staple cotton as the main product. Also produced are grain, fruits, oils and beets. The industry mostly consists of weaving, cement and chemical industries. |
Sipjaekje | 464,000 | Bukjjeo | 759 m | Continental desert climate | Sipjaekje is known for its production of agricultural products and raw resources. The major mineral resources of this area include coal, iron, copper, nickel, gold. |
Mongchongyang | 369,778 | Bukjjeo | 354 m | Continental desert climate | The naturally available water supply in the city are is limited, mostly consisting of two small rivers. In 1969, one large oil field was discovered nearby the city. Since then, the city has grown into an oil-producing and refining center. |
Gongcheong | 228,000 | Bukjjeo | 481 m | Cool arid climate | Gongcheong is one of the oldest towns in the country. Local industries include food processing and textile industries, as well as a power plant. |
Punggyang | 183,440 | Bukjjeo | 30 m | Continental desert climate | The oasis city of Punggyang has an agricultural economy growing vegetables, cotton, and especially grapes being the country’s largest raisin producing area. The city host the Annual Punggyang Grape festival held in the month of August. |
Busocheong | 143,373 | Hwangsaeggi | 1,014 m | Cool arid climate | The city was created in 1960s for military purposes. |
Sabinaru | 91,200 | Bukjjeo | 887 m | Continental climate | The city is found nearby the Northern Lake |
Gungju | 32,000 | Hwangsaeggi | 492 m | Cool arid climate | This small city has greatly economic importance, being the country’s busiest land port-of-entry, accounting by the majority of imports into the country. The town also hosts a large military base and a military airport. |
City | Population | Region | Elevation | Climate | Description |