Introduction to Yeonggwang
Natural Environment
Location of Yeonggwang-gun
Yeonggwang-gun is situated in Jeollanam Province of Korea with eastern longitude of 126°39′~125°59′ and northern latitude of 35°10′~35°26′, and relatively warm weather throughout the 4 seasons of the year. Moreover, Yeonggwang-gun belongs to the regions with huge potential for future development as it is situated on the axis of development on the western seashore that connects Seoul and Mokpo under the national land development plan.
Topography
Yeonggwang-gun has the topography with vast open fields in the center and mountainous regions on the east and west sides of the open field, thereby clearly dividing the overall topography into 3 regions. The open fields in the center has fertile soil with a lot of rice fields on gently sloping hilly areas that are appropriate for farming, thereby forming an excellent granary zone. Reclaimed lands at seashores of Baeksu and Yeomsan are well developed and have great potential for further development.
Geological features
Yeonggwang has geological features that become easily weathered and eroded by heavy rainfall. Accordingly, this region has little mineral resources. However, the area of land with loam produced through prolonged period of erosion and drainage account for almost 65% of the total arable land. Moreover, the region of Yeomsan has widely and well-developed sandy soil, making it popular as the key production site of sun dried salt in Korea from the past.
Climate
Based on the climate of Yeonggwang, it corresponds to southwestern coastal type that is affected by both the continent and ocean simultaneously. Moreover, there is substantial difference between summer and winter with display of cold continental climate during the winter. However, there are many pleasant sunny days in the winter and relatively cool summer. The seawater maintains annual average temperature of 12℃, making the climatic environment appropriate for people to live. Accordingly, Yeonggwang is equipped with the natural environment as a recreational region due to its low discomfort index in comparison to inland regions. In addition, vertical circulation of the seawater prevents generation of red tide, thereby establishing healthy ecosystem and abundant fishing grounds including the Chilsan Sea, which is one of the most important fishing ground in Korea.
Ecological resources
Yeonggwang belongs to a Heavenly blessed region with beautiful mountains, rivers, ocean, mudflats and islands. With such wonderful natural resources, many endangered species of organisms thrive in Yeonggwang. Currently, Childsando Island has well-established natural ecosystem that is drawing the attention of the world as the breeding ground for rare birds on the brink of extinction. Yeonggwang with such natural environment is a repository of natural ecosystem, which is frequently utilized as important academic data.