Anbyon County

Anbyŏn County
안변군
Korean transcription(s)
 • Chosŏn'gŭl안변군
 • Hancha
 • McCune-ReischauerAnbyŏn-gun
 • Revised RomanizationAnbyeon-gun
Chŏnsam Cooperative Farm, Anbyŏn
Chŏnsam Cooperative Farm, Anbyŏn
Map of Kangwon showing the location of Anbyon
Map of Kangwon showing the location of Anbyon
CountryNorth Korea
ProvinceKangwon Province
Administrative divisions1 ŭp, 2 workers' districts, 28 ri
Area
 • Total
506.5 km2 (195.6 sq mi)
Population
 (2008)
 • Total
93,960[1]

Anbyŏn is a kun, or county, in Kangwŏn province, North Korea. Originally included in South Hamgyŏng province, it was transferred to Kangwŏn province in a September 1946 reshuffling of local government.

Physical features

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The southwest portion of the county is bounded by the Masingryŏng (마식령산맥) and Taebaek mountains, which meet at the pass of Ch'ugaryŏng (추가령). The highest point is Paegamsan.

Anbyŏn's major streams include the Namdaech'ŏn and the Hakch'ŏn. The Anbyŏn Plain is situated along the Namdaech'ŏn's course. The temperature is warmer in the north than in the south.

Administrative divisions

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Anbyŏn county is divided into 1 ŭp (town), 2 rodongjagu (workers' districts) and 28 ri (villages):

  • Anbyŏn-ŭp
  • Apkang-rodongjagu
  • Ryongdae-rodongjagu
  • Chungp'yŏng-ri
  • Ch'ŏnsam-ri
  • Hakch'ŏl-li
  • Hwasal-li
  • Kwap'yŏng-ri
  • Mihyŏl-li
  • Mop'ung-ri
  • Munsu-ri
  • Naesal-li
  • Namgye-ri
  • Ogye-ri
  • Ong-ri
  • Paehwa-ri
  • Paeyang-ri
  • Pisal-li
  • Pongsal-li
  • P'unghwa-ri
  • Ryŏngsil-li
  • Ryongsŏng-ri
  • Ryukhwa-ri
  • Samsŏng-ri
  • Sangŭm-ri
  • Sap'yŏng-ri
  • Sinhwa-ri
  • Songsal-li
  • Suraktong-ri
  • Tongp'o-ri
  • Wŏllang-ri

Economy

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Agriculture

In the Anbyŏn Plain, rice-farming is the predominant industry. Orcharding also plays an important role.

Manufacturing

Tile manufacturing also takes place.

Mining

There are local deposits of gold, silver, copper and zinc, but they are not widely exploited.

Electricity generation

In 2000, construction of the Anbyŏn Youth Power Station, a hydroelectric facility, was completed. The workers were honored with a personal communique from Kim Jong-il.[2]

Film-making

Anbyŏn is the setting for many North Korean films. Thus it has been dubbed the Hollywood of North Korea.

Chemicals

A chemical weapons storage facility is believed to be located in the county's Chiha-ri precinct. The facility is said to include numerous tunnels dug deep into the mountains, and may also host some biological weapons.[3]

Transport

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The Kangwŏn and Kŭmgangsan Ch'ŏngnyŏn lines of the Korean State Railway pass through the county, which is also served by road.

Wildlife

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Anbyŏn contains a 1000 ha site, Anbyŏn Field, that has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because it is a wintering ground for red-crowned cranes.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ North Korea: Administrative Division
  2. ^ "Kim Jong Il proclaims completion of Anbyon Youth Power Station". Korean Central News Agency. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
  3. ^ "Anbyon: Chiha-ri Chemical Corporation". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 9 November 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
  4. ^ "Anbyon field". Important Bird Areas factsheet. BirdLife International. 2013. Archived from the original on 2007-07-10. Retrieved 2013-04-05.
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39°01′48″N 127°30′00″E / 39.03000°N 127.50000°E / 39.03000; 127.50000