Situated at the southernmost tip of Korea, Jeju Special Autonomous Province is the country’s smallest province, consisting of Jeju Island and over 60 smaller islands scattered around it. With a strategic geographical position, Jeju is about 90 kilometers away from Korea’s south coastline, overlooks Japan’s Kyushu Island across the sea to the east and borders upon the Korean Strait. As the largest island nationwide, Jeju stretches about 73 kilometers from east to west and about 41 kilometers from north to south, covering a land area of 1,826 square kilometers and with a population of 510,000.

Tourism is the pillar industry of Jeju. With a mild climate and an annual average temperature of 14.6 degrees Celsius, Jeju is the warmest and most rainy region in Korea. The unusual scenery is the result of the local climate and volcanic activity and it attracts millions of tourists from home and abroad each year. Jeju also enjoys a reputation as a “Honeymoon Island” and an “Island of  Romance”, as numerous Korean newly-weds choose to spend their honeymoon here. With over 5 million tourist arrivals each year, tourism contributes nearly 70% of the local GDP.

Jeju is also known for its wind, lava and fruit trees. The caverns and lava columns have a unique appeal. Mount Halla in central Jeju, which is the highest mountain in Korea, rises 1,950 meters above sea level. Its volcanic cone, formed in an eruption in the year 1007 provides a gorgeous view of the surrounding countryside. The soil and climate conditions in Jeju are favorable for growing oranges, tangerines and grape fruits, which contributes over 70% of its agricultural revenue and nearly 20% of its GDP.