Page:Every-day life in Korea (1898).djvu/24

 spurs run out. The influence of this range upon the country is seen in the fact that, with the exception of the two southeastern provinces (produced by the range veering over more toward the middle of the country, as it nears the south, in latitude 37 degrees), most of the larger rivers and the bulk of the population are to be found on the western side of the peninsula. This illustration I have heard used: The distribution of the population of Korea may be compared to an open fan, with the handle to the east and the slats projecting toward the Yellow Sea, the first in order being the southeast provinces of North and South Kyeng Sang.

The most important stream is the Yalu River, off whose mouth occurred the one important naval engagement in the recent war. This river, together with the Tumen River and the Ever-White Mountains, forms the northern boundary of Korea, between China on the north and the territory of Russia on the northeast. Other important rivers there are, which, however, do not compare in length with the one first mentioned—the Tatong River, in the north, upon which the city of Pyeng-yang (pronounced Pingyang) is located; further south the Plan River, which bends around the city of Seoul; and still further south the Keum River, all of which are on the west side of the peninsula. In the southeast of Korea, also worthy of mention, is the Naktong River. The treaty ports of Korea consist of