South Jeolla Province

During the Samhan period, South Jeolla belonged to Mahan ({{Korean|hangul=마한|hanja=馬韓|labels=no}}){{cite web | url=https://www.jeonnam.go.kr/contentsView.do?menuId=jeonnam0604010000 | title=전라남도청누리집 - 연혁 |trans-title=Jeollanam-do Office Nuri House - History |access-date=2025-04-17}}

In the Three Kingdoms period, it belonged to Gujihakseong ({{Korean|hangul=구지하성|hanja=久知下城|labels=no}}) of the southern five regions of Baekje ({{Korean|hangul=백제|hanja=百濟|labels=no}}), with Mujinju ({{Korean|hangul=무진주|hanja=武珍州|labels=no}}) as its center.

During the Unified Silla period, with the establishment of nine provinces and five subordinate regions, the area remained under Mujinju. In the 16th year of King Gyeongdeok's reign (757), Mujinju was renamed to Muju ({{Korean|hangul=무주|hanja=武州|labels=no}}) and came to oversee 15 counties (군; 郡) and 43 prefectures (군; 縣).

In the 2nd year of King Seongjong of Goryeo (983), when the national administrative divisions were reorganized into twelve mok (목), Naju-mok and Seungju-mok were established. In the 14th year of King Seongjong's reign (995), with the implementation of the province (도) system, the nation was divided into ten provinces(도), and the region was called Haeyangdo ({{Korean|hangul=해향도|hanja=海陽道|labels=no}}). In the 9th year of King Hyeonjong's reign, Haeyangdo was merged with Gangnamdo, and the name Jeollado (全羅道) was officially adopted.

During the Joseon Dynasty, the country was divided into eight provinces, and names such as Gwangnamdo (光南道), Jeongwangdo (全光道), and Jeonnamdo (全南道) were occasionally used. However, the name Jeollado was predominantly maintained.

On May 26, 1895 (the 32nd year of King Gojong's reign), with the implementation of the 23-bu system, Jeollado was subdivided into Jeonju-bu (全州府), Namwon-bu (南原府), Naju-bu (羅州府), and Jeju-bu (濟州府). Currently, seven cities and counties, including Suncheon and Damyang, belong to Namwon-bu, and Yeonggwang and Jangseong is part of Jeonju-bu, and the remaining sixteen cities and counties belong to Naju-bu.

On August 4, 1896 (the 33rd year of King Gojong's reign), Decree No. 36 abolished the 23-bu system. During the reorganization process, the existing eight provinces were divided into thirteen provinces by splitting five provinces (Jeollado, Chungcheongdo, Gyeongsangdo, etc.) into northern and southern regions. As a result, Jeollado was split into north and south, with the southern part being renamed Jeollanam-do (전라남도),or South Jeolla Province, as it is known today, encompassing 1 moks(목/牧) and 32 counties (군/gun).

The province is part of the Honam region, and is bounded on the west by the Yellow Sea, on the north by Jeollabuk-do Province, on the south by Jeju Strait, and on the east by Gyeongsangnam-do.

There are almost 2,000 islands along the coastline, about three quarters of which are uninhabited. The coastline is about {{convert|6,100|km|mi}} long. Some of the marine products, in particular oyster and seaweed cultivation, are leading in South Korea.

The province is only partially mountainous. The plains along the rivers Seomjin, Yeongsan and Tamjin are suitable for large-scale grain agriculture. There is abundant rainfall in the area, which helps agriculture. The province is also home to the warmest weather on the peninsula. This helps to produce large amounts of agricultural produce, mainly rice, wheat, barley, pulses and potatoes. Vegetables, cotton and fruits are also grown in the province.

{{Further|topic=the mountain|Mohusansan}}

A small amount of gold and coal is mined in the province, but industries have also been developed in the area. The amount of harmful heavy metals in the province is one-thirtieth of the environmental standard requirement, boasting clean air.{{Cite web |title=Clean Natural Environment |url=https://www.jeonnam.go.kr/contentsView.do?menuId=english0103060000 |website=Jeollanamdo |access-date=2024-05-04 |archive-date=2024-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521100732/https://www.jeonnam.go.kr/contentsView.do?menuId=english0103060000 |url-status=live }}

{{Historical populations|1970|3438906|1980|3052136|1990|2507439|2000|1996456|2010|1741499|2020|1788807|align=right|source={{Cite web |url=https://population.un.org/wup/ |title=World Urbanization Prospects |access-date=20 February 2020 |archive-date=19 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119092357/https://population.un.org/wup/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Population Census|url=https://kosis.kr/statHtml/statHtml.do?orgId=101&tblId=DT_1IN0001_ENG&vw_cd=MT_ETITLE&list_id=A111&scrId=&language=en&seqNo=&lang_mode=en&obj_var_id=&itm_id=&conn_path=MT_ETITLE&path=%252Feng%252FstatisticsList%252FstatisticsListIndex.do|publisher=Statistics Korea}}}}{{Bar chart

| title = Age Ddistribution (2020)

| label_type = Age

| data_type = Population

| data_max = 300,000

| label3 = 90+ years

| data3 = 14,883

| label4 = 80–89 years

| data4 = 103,290

| label5 = 70–79 years

| data5 = 184,866

| label6 = 60–69 years

| data6 = 257,648

| label7 = 50–59 years

| data7 = 298,881

| label8 = 40–49 years

| data8 = 252,465

| label9 = 30–39 years

| data9 = 191,379

| label10 = 20–29 years

| data10 = 194,394

| label11 = 10–19 years

| data11 = 159,118

| label12 = 0–9 years

| data12 = 131,883

}}

• Source: [https://www.citypopulation.de/en/southkorea/jeollanam/admin/ SOUTH KOREA: South Jeolla Province – Further information about the population structure]
  (CITY POPULATION)

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Religion in South Jeolla Province (2024){{cite web |title=2024 종교인식조사] 종교인구 현황과 종교 활동 |date=11 December 2024 |trans-title=Status of religious population and religious activities in South Korea (2024) |url=https://hrcopinion.co.kr/archives/31599 |language=ko}}

|label1 = Not religious

|value1 = 50

|color1 = Grey

|label2 = Buddhism

|value2 = 11

|color2 = Gold

|label3 = Protestantism

|value3 = 25

|color3 = DodgerBlue

|label4 = Catholicism

|value4 = 11

|color4 = DarkOrchid

|label5 = Others

|value5 = 3

|color5 = Black

}}

Jeollanam-do is divided into 5 cities (si) and 17 counties (gun). Listed below is the name of each entity in English, hangul, and hanja.

File:Yeosu.jpg

• {{Flagdeco|Arizona}} State of Arizona, United States
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• {{Flagdeco|South Korea}} Gyeongsan, South Korea
• {{Flagdeco|Australia}} Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
• {{Flagdeco|Vietnam}} Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu province, Vietnam
• {{Flagdeco|Oregon}} State of Oregon, United States{{cite web | url =http://www.leg.state.or.us/comm/commsrvs/background_briefs2008/briefs/EconomyBusinessLabor/InternationalTrade.pdf | title =Background Brief on International Trade | access-date =2008-07-21 | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080909234156/http://www.leg.state.or.us/comm/commsrvs/background_briefs2008/briefs/EconomyBusinessLabor/InternationalTrade.pdf | archive-date =2008-09-09 }}
• {{Flagdeco|China}} Sichuan Province, China
• {{Flagdeco|Portugal}} Alcochete, Portugal{{Cite web|url=https://www.anmp.pt/anmp/pro/mun1/gem101l0.php?cod_ent=M2890|title=Consulta}}

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Religion in South Jeolla (2005){{cite web|url=http://www.sisapress.com/news/photo/200610/41926_37953_1632.jpg|title=2005 Census - Religion Results|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904074206/http://www.sisapress.com/news/photo/200610/41926_37953_1632.jpg|archive-date=2015-09-04}}

|label1 = Not religious

|value1 = 53.4

|color1 = Gray

|label2 = Protestantism

|value2 = 21.8

|color2 = DodgerBlue

|label3 = Buddhism

|value3 = 16.1

|color3 = Gold

|label4 = Catholicism

|value4 = 8.7

|color4 = DarkOrchid

}}

According to the census of 2005, of the people of South Jeolla 30.5% follow Christianity (21.8% Protestantism and 8.7% Catholicism) and 16.1% follow Buddhism. 53.4% of the population is mostly not religious or follow Muism and other indigenous religions.

• Chonnam National University - Yeosu Campus
• Mokpo National Maritime University – Mokpo
• Mokpo National University - Mokpo/Muan County/Yeongam County
• Sunchon National University – Suncheon

• Dongshin University – Naju
• Gwangju Catholic University – Naju
• Mokpo Catholic University – Mokpo
• Sehan University - Yeongam County Campus
• Youngsan Won Buddhist University – Yeonggwang County
• Chodang University – Muan County
• Hanlyo University – Gwangyang

• Jeonnam Provincial College – Damyang County/Jangheung County

• Chunnam Techno University – Gokseong County
• Dong-A College – Yeongam County
• Hanyeong College – Yeosu
• Koguryeo College - Naju
• Kwangyang Health College – Gwangyang
• Mokpo Science University – Mokpo
• Suncheon First College – Suncheon
• Suncheon Cheongam College – Suncheon

{{Main|Governor of South Jeolla Province}}

• 31st: Heo Kyung-man (July 1, 1995 – July 1, 1998) – 1st term
• 32nd: Heo Kyung-man (July 1, 1998 – July 1, 2002) – 2nd term
• 33rd: Park Tae-young (July 1, 2002 – April 29, 2004) – 1st term
• 34th: Park Jun-young (June 6, 2004 – July 1, 2006) – 1st term
• 35th: Park Jun-young (July 1, 2006 – July 1, 2010) – 2nd term
• 36th: Park Jun-young (July 1, 2010 – July 1, 2014) – 3rd term
• 37th: Lee Nak-yeon (July 1, 2014 – May 12, 2018)
• 38th: Kim Yung-rok (July 1, 2018 – )

Gwangyang Steel Mill, one of the world's largest single steel producer with an annual capacity of 21 million tons, is located in Gwangyang City. In addition, Yeosu National Industrial Complex, the nation's largest petrochemical industrial complex, is located in Yeosu City.{{Cite web |title=Investment Attractiveness |url=https://www.jeonnam.go.kr/contentsView.do?menuId=english0201000000 |website=Jeollanamdo}}

In February 2025, South Korea announced plans for a $35 billion Artificial Intelligence data center with a 3GW capacity to be built in the South Jeolla province.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-19 |title=South Korea Unveils Plans for $35B AI Data Center with 3GW Capacity |url=https://hostdean.com/news/south-korea-35b-ai-data-center/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=hostdean.com |language=en-US}} An agreement with the province will ensure the data center has access to energy, water, and other essential resources.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Asa Fitch and Timothy W. |title=Exclusive {{!}} AI Data Center With Up to 3 Gigawatts of Power Is Envisioned for South Korea |url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/ai-data-center-with-up-to-3-gigawatts-of-power-is-envisioned-for-south-korea-5141bd77 |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}}

• KTX Honam Line: Seoul station to GwangjuSongjeong station
• KTX Honam Line: Seoul station to Mokpo station

• Expressway No.10
• Expressway No.15

File:Yeosu Airport.JPG in Yeosu]]

• Muan International Airport
• Yeosu Airport
• Gwangju Airport

• Source: [https://www.jeonnam.go.kr/contentsView.do?menuId=english0201000000 Investment Attractiveness]
  (Jeolla Namdo)

File:Nagan castle.jpg in Suncheon]]

• Yeosu – Jinnamgwan Hall, Hyangiram, Yi Sun Shin Square
• Suncheon – Songgwangsa Temple, Seonamsa Temple, Nagan Eupseong Folk Village
• Mokpo – Mokpo Modern History Museum, Gatbawi Rock, Yudal Mountain
• Haenam – Ttanggut (End of the Land) Village, Mihwangsa Temple
• Gurye – Hwaeomsa Temple
• Damyang – Damyang Juknokwon, Metasequoia-lined Road, Soswaewon Garden
• Boseong – Boseong Green Tea Field Daehan Dawon
• Dochodo – Seonggaksa

File:Yeosu, Jeollanamdo, South Korea - Art Gallery, October 2021.jpg|Art Gallery in Yeosu

File:Tafoni and Sandstone, Gatbawi Mokpo South Korea 08.jpg|Gatbawi (Mokpo)

File:Chueotang, Gangjin, Jeollanam-do.jpg|Chueotang

• North Jeolla Province

{{reflist}}

• {{cite web |title=KOSIS |url=https://kosis.kr/statHtml/statHtml.do?orgId=101&tblId=DT_1IN1502&vw_cd=MT_ETITLE&list_id=A11_2015_1&scrId=&language=en&seqNo=&lang_mode=en&obj_var_id=&itm_id=&conn_path=MT_ETITLE&path=%252Feng%252FstatisticsList%252FstatisticsListIndex.do |website=kosis.kr}}

{{commons category|Jeollanam-do}}

• {{wikivoyage-inline|South Jeolla}}
• {{url|1=https://www.jeonnam.go.kr/main.do?menuId=english0000000000|2=Official website}} {{in lang|en}}

{{Geographic location

|Centre = South Jeolla

|North = North Jeolla Province

|Northeast =

|East = South Gyeongsang Province

|Southeast = Korean Strait
{{flag|Nagasaki}} Prefecture, {{flagu|Japan}}
{{flag|Saga}} Prefecture, {{flagu|Japan}}

|South = Korean Strait
Jeju Province

|Southwest = Yellow Sea
Jiangsu, {{flagu|China}}

|West = Yellow Sea

|Northwest =

}}

{{South Jeolla}}

{{regions and administrative divisions of South Korea}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Provinces of South Korea