The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) occupies the northern 47,918 square miles (122,762 square kilometers) of the Korean Peninsula, bordering China, Russia, and the Republic of Korea. The DPRK 2008 census reported a population of 24,052,231. One of the world's last command economies, the DPRK prioritizes heavy industry, though illegal businesses are increasingly common. After severe economic contraction following the Soviet Union's collapse, the economy has alternated between stagnation and growth. The DPRK's experiences with China, Japan, and the Soviet Union have all influenced its society and education system.