Yeongheungdo Explained

Yeongheung Island
Native Name:영흥도
靈興島
Native Name Lang:Korean
Settlement Type:Myeon
Translit Lang1:Korean
Translit Lang1 Type1:Hangul
Translit Lang1 Info1:영흥도
Translit Lang1 Type2:Hanja
Translit Lang1 Info2:靈興島
Translit Lang1 Info3:Yeongheungdo
Translit Lang1 Info4:Yŏnghŭngdo
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:South Korea
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Sudogwon
Population Blank1 Title:Dialect
Population Blank1:Seoul
Area Total Km2:23.46
Population As Of:August 2005
Population Total:3951
Population Density Km2:168.41
Parts Type:Administrative divisions
Parts:10 li
Coordinates:37.2667°N 154°W

Yeongheungdo is an island in the Yellow Sea, within the municipal borders of Incheon metropolitan city, in South Korea.

Geography

The island has a population of roughly 4000 people and an area of 23.46 km2.[1] The island is connected by road to neighbouring Seonjae-do (선재도) (and thus to Daebu Island and the mainland) by the 1.25 km-long Yeongheung Bridge,[2] which opened in December 2001. Administratively, the island today is divided into ten li: Nae-ri (내리) 1 to 7, and Oi-ri (외리) 1 to 3.[3] Employment is provided through tourism, fishing, and the thermoelectric power station, largely built on reclaimed land on the south-west coast of the island.

Environment

The island, along with neighbouring Seonjae-do, has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because its intertidal mudflats support a significant population of breeding Chinese egrets.[4]

History

During the Joseon Dynasty and up to 1914, Yeongheungdo was included in the old jurisdiction of Namyang County. In 1914 it was transferred to Bucheon, and in 1973 to Ongjin County, which became part of Incheon metropolitan city in 1995.

Yeongheungdo is featured strongly in the first-hand account . According to The Secrets of Inchon, Yeongheungdo was used for a reconnaissance/commando mission led by Commander Eugene F. Clark to surveil the regions along the Flying Fish Channel, including Wolmido, Daebudo and Muuido, among others. This expedition preceded and allowed for the successful Battle of Incheon.[5]

Attractions

Yeongheungdo has several sandy beaches, most notably Nae-ri (내리) on the east coast, Simripo (십리포) in the north-east, along the edge of which lies a grove of Carpinus coreana, and Janggyeong-ri (장경리) in the north-west.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 영흥도자료집 (Yeongheungdojaryojip). Youngheungdo.com. 2010-09-25.
  2. Web site: 영흥대교 (Yeongheungdaegyo). Youngheungdo.com. 2010-09-25.
  3. Web site: 영흥도-마을별안내 (Yeongheungdo-maeulbyeolannae). Youngheungdo.com. 2010-09-25.
  4. Web site: Yeongheung-do and Sonje-do islands. . 2024. BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2024-10-17.
  5. Commander Eugene Franklin Clark, "The Secrets of Inchon: The Untold Story of the Most Daring Covert Mission of the Korean War", 2002