Jeju - Nature's paradise in the north pacific

Jeju has a mild oceanic climate throughout the year with the smallest annual temperature range in the country. The temperature for the hottest summer months averages no more than 34.7 and no less than -1.5 for winter. The island is 73km wide and 41km long with a total area of 1,848 square kilometers. Jeju, the largest island in South Korea, came into existence 700 to 1,200 thousand years ago when lava spewed from a sub-sea volcano and surfaced above the waters. Then 100 to 300 thousand years ago, another volcanic eruption formed Mt. Halla. The final volcanic eruption that took place approximately 25 thousand years ago created the crater lake, Baekrok-dam, at the summit of the mountain. Mt. Halla rises in the center of Jeju to 1950m above sea level. The rest of the island slopes down from its summit and is covered with dark gray volcanic rocks and volcanic ash soil. Relatively isolated from the rest of the world, the island's nature has been well preserved in its prehistoric state. That is why traveling to Jeju is to travel back in time. Jeju's natural environment has been preserved as best as possible. The fantastically shaped rocks decorating the seashores, the hundreds of Oreums (secondary volcanos) and the rarest species of flora around the Baekrok-dam lake are all treasures waiting to be discovered by visitors. One cannot see Jeju unless one looks. It is like seeing only trees before entering a forest.