Korea, North

THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S Republic of Korea (DPRK) is located in the northern part of the Korean peninsula, which lies between 33 and 43 degrees N, and extends southward in to the northeastern Asian continent. North Korea is a transitional zone between the continental landmass of Asia and the island arc rimming the western Pacific Ocean. About 80 percent of North Korea is mountainous or hilly. Elevations are generally low, because the mountain ranges have been subject to long-term erosion, with relatively stable tectonic movement. A number of high altitude—2,625–3,281 ft. (800–1,000 m.)—plateaus are found in the northeastern and eastern part of North Korea. Mountain ranges drop abruptly toward the East Sea with little coastal plain. Some extensive lowlands are found mainly at the mouths of ...