Pidan Island
Reeds are produced in a large quantity on Pidan Island, covering over 60 sq km and situated on the estuary of the Amnok River along the northwestern border of Korea. The island is a leading raw material base of the chemical fibre industry of the country.
Korean Women’s Traditional Clothes, Chima and Jogori
These are photos which show chima (skirt) and jogori (jacket), Korean women’s traditional clothes.
They are so distinctive and elegant that they attract the attention of the world people.
World Biosphere Reserves in the DPRK
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has made strenuous efforts to protect the ecological environment and increase the number of species of animals and plants.
Mts Paektu, Kuwol, Myohyang, Chilbo and Kumgang are registered as world biosphere reserves.
These reserves are diversified in ecological environment and rich in biological resources.
As they are located at high altitudes, they have a vertical climatic zone. And they have mountains, wetlands, cliffs, underground caves, waterfalls, ponds, lakes, hot springs and seas.
Mt Paektu (2 750m above sea level) is the home of almost all plants unique to zones ranging from the temperate zone to arctic zone through the subarctic zone. Thousands of species of plants, including rhododendron, a medicinal herb which blooms even in snow, occur in this area.
Found in this area are also rare animals as tiger, sable, otter, leopard, brown bear, musk deer, hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, amphibians and tens of species of fishes.
In the area of Mt Kumgang there are more than two thousand species of plants, among which 112 are indigenous plants and 46 are endangered plants.
Pentactina rupicola, or Kumgang-kuksunamu, is a rare plant belonging to a single genus and a single species.
Many animals live in this area because it has rich plant resources including wild fruit trees like wild Amur grape and tara vine, as well as medicinal herbs and edible greens. The areas of Mts Kumgang and Chilbo are rich in marine and land flora and fauna resources. 
These reserves have many historical remains and relics which showcase the long history of the Korean nation.
Typical examples are dolmens, world-famous Koguryo mural tombs, old Buddhist temples, pagodas of various forms, paintings and printed materials.
These reserves are of high value as tourism resources for they are all beautiful and present different scenery according to season.
Whereas the Mt Paektu area presents the singular landscape of the alpine area, the areas of Mts Chilbo and Kumgang are the places for enjoying the scenery of mountains and seas. And the Mt Myohyang area has underground scenic spots like the Ryongmun Cavern and Paengnyong Cave, and the Mt Kuwol area has an old fortress and Koguryo mural tombs.
