Changnyeong County

Changnyeong
창녕군
Korean transcription(s)
 • Hangul창녕군
 • Hanja
 • Revised RomanizationChangnyeong-gun
 • McCune-ReischauerCh'angnyeong-gun
Flag of Changnyeong
Official logo of Changnyeong
Location in South Korea
Location in South Korea
Country South Korea
RegionYeongnam
Administrative divisions2 Towns (읍 eup), 12 Townships (면 myeon)
Area
 • Total533.09 km2 (205.83 sq mi)
Population
 (September 2024[1])
 • Total56,246
 • Density140.1/km2 (363/sq mi)
 • Dialect
Gyeongsang

Changnyeong County (Changnyeong-gun 창녕군) is a county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

In the early Three Kingdoms period, Changnyeong was the seat of Bihwa Gaya, a member of the Gaya confederacy which was later conquered by Silla.

The Nakdong River flows through the county. The Upo wetland, an important ecological resource and tourist attraction, occupies a portion of the river basin.

The county government is located in Changnyeong Town (창녕읍), the largest town and center of the county.

Changnyeong County Hall

Famous people from Changnyeong include North Korean actress Song Hye-rim and the former mayor of Seoul Park Won-soon.

Etymology

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Changnyeong means "prosperous peace", from the Sino-Korean roots chang (; ; lit. "prosperity") and nyeong (; ; lit. "peace").

History

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Yeongsan territory (영산현) was established in 1631. In 1637, Changnyeong territory joined Yeongsan territory (창녕현·영산현). On May 24, 1895, the first day of fifth lunar month, Changnyeong and Yeongsan were incorporated under Daegu as separate counties (대구부 창녕군·영산군).[2] On August 4, 1896, Changnyeong and Yeongsan county were incorporated into South Gyeongsang province (경상남도 창녕군·영산군).[3] On April 1, 1914, Yeongsan County (영산군, ) and Changnyeong county (창녕군) were merged into 15 townships (면) - Eubnae (읍내면), Goam (고암면), Seonsan (성산면), Daehap (대합면), Ibang (이방면), Yueo (유어면), Daeji (대지면), Changnak (창락면), Namgok (남곡면), Jangma (장마면), Bugok (부곡면), Yeongsan (영산면), Gilgok (길곡면), Docheon (도천면), Gyeseong (계성면).[4] In 1918, Eupnae (읍내면) was renamed as Changnyeong (창녕면). On April 1, 1936, Namgok (남곡면) was renamed as Namji (남지면).[5] On July 1, 1955, Changnak township (창락면) is merged with Changnyeong township (창녕면).[6] (14면). On January 1, 1960, Changnyeong township became Changnyeong town.[7] On January 1, 1963, Namji township became Namji town.[8] In 1971, The local town hall of Namji was established.

Administrative divisions

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Changnyeong is made up of two towns (읍), 12 townships (면) 139 villages (리) over an area of 532.72 km2.[9] Of the 28,466 households and 61,789 people living in Changnyeong county in 2011 27.1% were living in Changnyeong town (창녕읍), 18.4% living in Namji town (남지읍).[10]

Eup·Myeon Korean Hanja Households Population Area
Changnyeong-eup 창녕읍 6,923 16,723 61.42
Changnyeong Township map
Namji-eup 남지읍 5,052 11,343 55.23
Goam-myeon 고암면 高岩面 1,116 2,001 44.48
Seongsan-myeon 성산면 城山面 871 1,598 47.03
Daehab-myeon 대합면 大合面 2,002 4,016 46.56
Ibang-myeon 이방면 梨房面 1,375 2,794 46.60
Yueo-myeon 유어면 遊漁面 1,029 1,980 33.29
Daeji-myeon 대지면 大池面 1,129 2,450 17.87
Kyeseong-myeon 계성면 桂城面 1,293 2,618 27.86
Yeongsan-myeon 영산면 靈山面 2,689 6,047 29.36
Jangma-myeon 장마면 丈麻面 1,010 1,925 29.99
Docheon-myeon 도천면 都泉面 1,357 2,848 25.45
Kilgok-myeon 길곡면 吉谷面 738 1,486 27.57
Bugok-myeon 부곡면 1,882 3,960 27.57

Tourism

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Upo Wetland

Upo wetland in Changnyeong county is the largest wetlands in all of Korea. These wetlands are estimated to be created about 140 million years ago. It spreads out over Changnyeong county's Yueo, Ibang, Daehap, Daeji and other townships, covering over 2,310,000 m2, with a circumference area of 7.5 km. There are over 340 species of endangered plants such as the Euryale ferox, as well as 62 wild birds, and 28 fish located within the swamp.

Upo wetland was designated as a natural monument during the time of Japanese occupation in 1933. As soon as the Cultural Properties Protection Law was enacted on December 3, 1962, the wetland was designated as Cultural property 15 under the name of Changnyeong Swan habitat. However, on July 19, 1973, it was found that migratory bird numbers had decreased and therefore its status as a natural monument was cancelled. After another evaluation done on January 13, 2001, in order to determine the geographical scenic value of the biology living there, it was determined that the wetlands be considered natural preserve area number 524.[12]

View overlooking the Upo wetlands

In 1973 a hot spring resort was developed in Keomun village in the Bugok township (부곡면 거문리). In that year, after the natural hot springs was discovered under scenic Deokam Mountain (덕암산). The 48 geothermal wells that were discovered produce over 3,000 tons of water a day. In 1977년 Bugok was designated as a national tourist attraction with high quality hotels, recreational facilities, parks and forestation. One of the most famous hotel and spa is Bugok Hawaii, a resort style facility with a water and amusement park as well as a large hotel.

Ancient Royal graves (고분) in Changnyeong town
Pavilion in Changnyeong's main park with a view of the city.
Changnyeong county History Museum located in Changnyeong town.
Road to Mount Hwawang (화왕산) in Changnyeong town
Changnyeong Temple at the base of Mount Hwawang

Educational Institutions

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High Schools (고등학교)

Middle Schools (중학교)

  • Namji Girl's Middle School 남지여자중학교
  • Namji Middle School 남지중학교
  • Daeseong Middle School 대성중학교
  • Bugok Middle School 부곡중학교
  • Seongsan Middle School 성산중학교
  • Shinchang Girl's Middle School 신창여자중학교
  • Yeongsan Middle School 영산중학교
  • Changnyeong Girl's Middle School 창녕여자중학교
  • Changnyeong Ogya Middle School 창녕옥야중학교
  • Changnyeopng Middle School 창녕중학교

Twin towns – sister cities

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Changnyeong is twinned with:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Population statistics". Korea Ministry of the Interior and Safety. 2024.
  2. ^ 칙령 제98호 地方制度改正件 (1895년 음력 5월 26일)
  3. ^ 칙령 제36호 地方制度官制改正件 (1896년 8월 4일)
  4. ^ 조선총독부령 제111호 (1913년 12월 29일)
  5. ^ 도령 제2호 (1936년 3월 3일)
  6. ^ 법률 제360호 지방자치단체의폐치분합및구역변경에관한법률 (1955년 6월 29일)
  7. ^ 법률 제538호 읍설치에관한법률 (1960년 1월 1일)
  8. ^ 법률 제1177호 읍설치에관한법률 (1962년 11월 21일)
  9. ^ 2009 Archived October 2, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, July 21, 2011 accessed
  10. ^ Changnyeong population, July 12, 2011 accessed
  11. ^ (경남) 혼자서 조용히 사색하며 쉴 수 있는 곳은? 《Friday》(2006.11.27.)[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ 김태식 (January 13, 2011). "창녕 우포늪 천연기념물 재지정". 연합신문. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
  13. ^ Hwawang Mountain Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
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35°32′40″N 128°29′32″E / 35.544414°N 128.492181°E / 35.544414; 128.492181