Quick Facts about Korea

Nearly one half of the nation's citizens live in the capital of Seoul. Only 9.6% of the country’s population is over the age of 65.

The population’s religious and spiritual beliefs are: 25% Christian, 25% Buddhist, Confucius, Shaman, and 50% none.

The prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in adults is less than .1% in South Korea, one of the lowest in the world.

On ferries heading to or from South Korea, you'll find people wearing small pieces of sticky plaster behind their ears. This is kimitae, supposedly a cure for sea-sickness, which can be found at local pharmacies.

Our New Series: Kipling & Clark "Asian Quick Facts"

I've created a series called "Asian Quick Facts" that gives a snapshot of the compelling, interesting and beautiful places in the Pacific Rim we've visited. I hope this will entice you to want to take off on your own Kipling & Clark custom journey!

Look at all on one page or click on a country below. Keep coming back as we add more countries to our "Asian Quick Facts" list.

• Indonesia
• Thailand
• China
• Japan
• Korea
  

Quick Facts about Indonesia

- Indonesia is the world's most populated Muslim nation.

- Indonesia is home to the world’s largest lizard: the Komodo dragon. It is also home to world's largest flower: the rafflesia arnoldi.

- More than 17,500 islands make-up the country of Indonesia.

- There are 14 televisions for every 100 people in Indonesia, compared to 84 for every 100 people in the United States.

Quick Facts about Thailand

- The Karen hill tribes of northern Thailand are also known as the Long Neck People. Starting at a very young age, girls wear heavy brass necklaces to elongate their necks. Women with long necks are considered to be the most beautiful in their village.

- Thailand has the potential to be the next Napa Valley. It has a burgeoning wine industry centered on the cool hills of Khao Yai where chenin blanc grapes prosper.

- Southeast Asia’s largest aquarium is located in Bangkok’s Siam Paragon shopping center: SiamOceanWorld. http://www.siamoceanworld.co.th/

- The popular Red Bull energy drink has its origins in Thailand. It was originally called Krating Daeng, or Red Gaur, a type of fox.

Quick Facts About China

- 16 out of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are located in China.

- Shanghai had 15 skyscrapers in 1978 and by last year, it had about 3,000 - more than LA and Chicago combined.

- In 2006, Hong Kong’s stock exchanged raised $42.7 billion in IPOs – more than London, Tokyo, or New York.

Quick Facts about Japan

- Unlike any other Asian country, you can drink the tap water in Japan.

- Travelers must use Japanese Yen – in Japan no one likes to accept United States currency.

- Tipping is practically unheard of Japan. All restaurants and hotels add a 10% service charge and a 5% consumption tax to the final bill.
After leaving a tip at a nice restaurant in Kyoto this past April, two of the restaurant staff literally ran after me and my family believing we had left the money accidentally!

- Reflecting Japan's egalitarianism, CEOs in Japan earn on average 60 times their average employee's pay in contrast to the U.S., where the average CEO makes 450 times the pay of their average employee.