Anyang, Gyeonggi

Infobox Korean settlement
title=Anyang
logo=Anyang logo.gif
logowidth=100px


imgcaption=Downtown area near Anyang Station.
hangul=안양시
hanja=安養市
rr=Anyang-si
mr=Anyang-si
area_km2=58.5
pop=618732
popyear=2004
popden_km2=10576
divs=2 "gu", 31 "dong"

Anyang (안양시) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It is located some 20 km to the south of Seoul and is connected to Seoul Subway Line 1 and Line 4. Other nearby cities include Ansan, Incheon and Gwangmyeong to the west, Suwon to the south-east, and Gwacheon due north-east. Anyang is generally divided into two sections: The older downtown section centered at Anyang Station in the north of Anyang, a big shopping area with pleasant stores and outdoor markets, and Pyeongchon, the wealthier, more upscale area further to the south. Strategically located, Anyang is a convenient transportation hub between Seoul and other major cities across the country.

Like most towns and cities in South Korea, Anyang has experienced tremendous urban growth during the past few decades. Ten years after the Korean War ended, the area's population was still largely rural and its landscape agricultural. Today, the conglomerated city of Anyang (amalgamated in 1973) is among the most populous in the country. It is also becoming a suburb of choice for some Seoulites because of its very close proximity to Seoul, and for the beautiful mountains and scenery that surround Anyang, shielding it from the larger urban centers nearby. The city also boasts perhaps the most beautiful, ultra-modern city hall in the entire country. The motto of Anyang is "Livable city, Proud citizens".

Anyang has many institutions of higher learning which include Anyang Technical College, Anyang University, Daehan Graduate School of Theology, Daelim College, and Sungkyul University. Anyang is also home to the Buddhist temple of Anyangsa, located on Mt. Samseong. The historical plaque at the site tells that it was built by Silla's King Hyogong. The location was chosen by him for its mystical properties, which inspired the building of the temple upon travelling south to quell the rebellion in southern Shilla. The plaque further elaborates that the name for the city of Anyang is believed to have originated from the temple. Anyang itself is a Buddhist term signifying a heavenly land where unimaginable joy and freedom overflow.

Administrative districts

*Dongan-gu (동안구)
*Manan-gu (만안구)

Transportation

Railroad

*Korail;*Seoul Subway Line 1;;;(Geumcheon-gu, Seoul) ← Seoksu — Gwanak — Anyang — Myeonghak → (Gunpo);*Seoul Subway Line 4;;;(Gwacheon) ← Indeogwon — Pyeongchon — Beomgye → (Gunpo)

ister cities

*flagicon|Japan Tokorozawa, Saitama 1998
*flagicon|United States Garden Grove, California 1989
*flagicon|United States Hampton, Virginia

ee also

* List of cities in South Korea
* Geography of South Korea
* Seoul National Capital Area

External links

* [http://www.anyang.go.kr/global/ City government website]
* [http://dmoz.org/Regional/Asia/South_Korea/Gyeonggi/Anyang/ Open Directory category]
* [http://www.anyangsouthkorea.com Anyang, South Korea]
* [http://mishalov.net/anyang9march03/anyang9march03.html/ Photo's of Anyang]