Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: June 18, 2026
Seoul is the capital city of South Korea, located in the northwestern part of the country. Situated at approximately 37.5665° N latitude and 126.9780° E longitude, the city covers about 605 sq km (234 sq mi) and has an estimated population of around 9.3 million people.
Location Map of Seoul, South Korea
About Map: The map showing location map of Seoul in South Korea.
As shown in the given Seoul location map that Seoul is located in the north-west region of South Korea. Seoul is the largest and capital city of South Korea. Surprisingly, the Seoul National Capital Area is the second largest metropolitan area of the world. It has about 24.5 million people and the area includes Incheon metropolis and most of Gyeonggi province.
The capital city Seoul is the economic, political, and cultural center of South Korea. The city is founded about 18 BC back and it is one of the oldest capital cities in the world. Surprisingly, the Seoul National Capital Area homes four UNESCO World Heritage Sites namely Jongmyo Shrine, the Royal Tombs, Hwaseong Fortress, and Changdeokgung.
Furthermore, the city Seoul is listed as global city by the Global Cities Index in the year 2010. It has been give the rank in the top ten cities. Surprisingly, the city comes under top ten financial and commercial centers in the world. So, it is highly technologically advanced in terms of business and infrastructures as well. It homes some of the top companies of the world namely Samsung, LG, and Hyundai-kia. Furthermore, Seoul was the first city that featured DMB, a digital mobile TV technology and WiBro, a wireless high-speed mobile internet service. It has a fast, high-penetration 100 Mbit/s fibre-optic broadband network, which is being upgraded to 1 Gbit/s by 2012.
Moreover, the city was named as the World Design Capital City by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design for the year 2010.
Seoul, South Korea Quick Facts
Fact
Details
City
Seoul
Administrative Division
Seoul Special City
Country
South Korea
National Capital
Seoul
Region
Northwestern South Korea
Latitude
37.5665° N
Longitude
126.9780° E
Elevation
125 ft (38 m)
Land Area
233 sq mi
Water Area
Includes rivers, streams and reservoirs
Total Area
233 sq mi
Population (Latest Estimate)
Approximately 9.3 million
Population Density
Approximately 39,900 per sq mi
Postal Codes
01000-08899
Area Code
+82 2
Time Zone Standard
Korea Standard Time (UTC+9)
Time Zone Daylight
No daylight saving time observed
Currency
South Korean Won (KRW)
Administrative Code
Seoul Special City
National Representation
National Assembly Constituencies
Nearby Cities to Seoul, South Korea
Incheon, South Korea - 17 mi West
Bucheon, South Korea - 12 mi West
Goyang, South Korea - 12 mi Northwest
Seongnam, South Korea - 13 mi Southeast
Anyang, South Korea - 14 mi Southwest
Hanam, South Korea - 10 mi East
Uijeongbu, South Korea - 14 mi North
Namyangju, South Korea - 16 mi East
Suwon, South Korea - 22 mi South
Yongin, South Korea - 25 mi South
Seoul, South Korea Climate and Weather Overview
Month
Avg High (°F)
Avg Low (°F)
Avg Rainfall (in)
January
34
21
0.8
April
63
44
2.8
July
84
73
14.5
October
68
50
1.9
Annual
62
48
57.0
Climate Attribute
Details
Climate Classification (Köppen)
Dwa - Humid Continental
Annual Rainfall
Approximately 57 inches
Annual Sunshine Days
Approximately 2,100 sunshine hours
Hurricane/Tornado Risk
Low Typhoon Risk
Snowfall
Light to Moderate Winter Snowfall
Driving Distances from Seoul, South Korea
City
Province/Region
Distance (mi)
Approx. Drive Time
Hanam
Gyeonggi
10
20 min
Bucheon
Gyeonggi
12
25 min
Goyang
Gyeonggi
12
25 min
Seongnam
Gyeonggi
13
25 min
Anyang
Gyeonggi
14
30 min
Uijeongbu
Gyeonggi
14
30 min
Namyangju
Gyeonggi
16
30 min
Incheon
Incheon
17
35 min
Suwon
Gyeonggi
22
40 min
Yongin
Gyeonggi
25
45 min
Transportation and Connectivity in Seoul, South Korea
Airport Name
Incheon International Airport
IATA Code
ICN
Port
Incheon Port (serving the Seoul metropolitan area)
Major Highways
Gyeongbu Expressway, Seoul Ring Expressway, Olympic-daero, Gangbyeonbuk-ro
Train Service
KTX High-Speed Rail, Korail and Seoul Metro
Local Transit Service
Seoul Metropolitan Subway, Buses, Taxis and Airport Rail Express
Gyeongbu Expressway - Main route connecting Seoul with Busan.
Seoul Ring Expressway - Encircles the metropolitan area and links major suburbs.
Olympic-daero - Important east-west corridor along the Han River.
Gangbyeonbuk-ro - Major urban expressway on the northern side of the Han River.
Seoul Metropolitan Subway - One of the world's largest urban transit networks.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Seoul, South Korea
Landmark Name
Type
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Historic Palace
N Seoul Tower
Observation Tower
Bukchon Hanok Village
Historic Neighborhood
Myeongdong
Shopping District
Changdeokgung Palace
UNESCO Site
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Cultural Landmark
Lotte World
Theme Park
War Memorial of Korea
Museum
Cheonggyecheon Stream
Urban Attraction
COEX
Convention and Shopping Complex
Places to Visit in Seoul, South Korea
Landmark Name
Type
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Historic Palace
N Seoul Tower
Observation Tower
Bukchon Hanok Village
Historic Neighborhood
Myeongdong
Shopping District
Changdeokgung Palace
UNESCO Site
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Cultural Landmark
Lotte World
Theme Park
War Memorial of Korea
Museum
Cheonggyecheon Stream
Urban Attraction
COEX
Convention and Shopping Complex
Colleges and Universities in Seoul, South Korea
Institution Name
Type
Level
Notable For
Seoul National University
Public
University
Research excellence
Korea University
Private
University
Law and business
Yonsei University
Private
University
International studies
Hanyang University
Private
University
Engineering and technology
Sungkyunkwan University
Private
University
Science and innovation
Waterbodies in Seoul, South Korea
Han River, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Jungnangcheon Stream, Anyangcheon Stream, Tancheon Stream, Seokchon Lake, Paldang Reservoir, Yangjaecheon Stream, Hongjecheon Stream, Uicheon Stream
Golf Courses in Seoul, South Korea
Anyang Country Club, Nam Seoul Country Club, Lakeside Country Club, New Seoul Country Club, Sky 72 Golf Club, Seoul Country Club, Asiad Country Club, Gold Country Club, Blackstone Golf Club, Glenrose Golf Club
Seoul, South Korea - Key Historical Facts
Seoul has served as Korea's capital for more than six centuries since the Joseon Dynasty established it in 1394.
The city grew around royal palaces, fortified walls and major trade routes during the Joseon period.
Seoul experienced significant modernization during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The city was heavily affected during the Korean War but underwent rapid reconstruction afterward.
South Korea's economic growth transformed Seoul into one of Asia's leading financial and technology centers.
Today, Seoul is the political, economic and cultural heart of South Korea and one of the world's largest metropolitan areas.