Ganghwa Island
Ganghwa Island is an island in the estuary of the Han River, on the west coast of South Korea. About 65,500 people live on the island. With an area of 302.4 km², it constitutes most of Ganghwa-gun, a division of Incheon metropolitan city. The island's highest point is Mani-san, 469 meters above sea level.
Ganghwa Island is separated from Siheung, on the mainland, by the narrow Wolgot Inlet, which is spanned by several bridges. The main channel of the Han River separates the island from Kaesong in North Korea.
Because of its strategic position in the mouth of the Han River, Ganghwa Island has often played a key role in historical events. In the 9th century, Unified Silla established the Hyeolgu Garrison on the island to combat piracy. The commander Wanggeon established his military reputation at the garrison, later going on to found the kingdom of Goryeo. In the 13th century, the court of Goryeo took refuge there as Mongol forces invaded by land. After Goryeo capitulated, the elite forces on the island rebelled, beginning the Sambyeolcho Rebellion.
In the 19th century, as outside powers sought to enter Korea by sea, Ganghwa became a point of contact. A punitive expedition by the French Navy was driven back from the island in 1866, and in 1876 the Treaty of Kanghwa was concluded there. That agreement officially opened Korea to Japanese trade for the first time.
Numerous historical sites are maintained on the island. Gachon Medical School is also located there.