Native name: 거제도 | |
---|---|
Geography | |
Location | Korea Strait |
Coordinates | 34°51′29″N 128°37′06″E / 34.85806°N 128.61833°E |
Area | 383.44 km2 (148.05 sq mi) |
Highest elevation | 580 m (1900 ft) |
Highest point | Gara |
Administration | |
Republic of Korea | |
Province | Gyeongsangnam-do |
Largest settlement | Geoje (pop. 242,077) |
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (claimed) | |
Province | South Kyōsang Province |
Demographics | |
Ethnic groups | Korean |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 거제도 |
Hanja | 巨濟島 |
Revised Romanization | Geojedo |
McCune–Reischauer | Kŏjedo |
Geojedo (Korean: 거제도; MR: Kŏje-do), or Geoje Island, is the principal island of Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is joined to land by two bridges from nearby Tongyeong. Gohyeon is the largest town on the island.
Geojedo covers an area of 383.44 square kilometres (148.05 sq mi), the second largest island in South Korea, after Jeju Island. The landscape features several peaks: Gara (580 metres, 1,900 ft), Daegeum (437.5 metres, 1,435 ft) and Guksabong (400 metres, 1,300 ft). Geojedo is known for its rich deposits of granite. The southern belt of Geojedo, together with part of Namhaedo in Namhae County, belongs to Hallyeo Maritime National Park.[1]
Geojedo features several natural harbors. Shipbuilding is the largest industry on the island.[1] The second and third largest shipyards in South Korea are both located on the island, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) in the city of Okpo, and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) in the city of Gohyeon (Geoje City).
The Busan–Geoje Bridge was opened in December 2010 and provides a more direct connection to the city of Busan.[2][1]