Busan (부산 or 釜山(Korean pronunciation: [pusʰan]), officially Busan Metropolitan City), romanized as Pusan before 2000, is South Korea's second largest city after Seoul, with a population of approximately 3.6 million. The population of the metropolitan area, including the adjacent cities of Gimhae and Yangsan, is approximately 4.6 million. The city is located on the southeastern-most tip of the Korean peninsula.
Located within South Korea's largest industrial area, "The Southeast Economic Zone" (which includes Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province), the city is the cultural, educational and economic center of the region. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the world's fifth busiest seaport by cargo tonnage. The most densely built up areas of the city are situated in a number of narrow valleys between the Nakdong River and the Suyeong River, with mountains separating most of the districts. Administratively, it is designated as a Metropolitan City. The Busan metropolitan area is divided into 15 major administrative districts and a single county.
Busan or Pusan (Korean:부산) is the second-largest city of South Korea.
Busan may also mean:
Pusan
The 2002 Asian Games, also known as XIV Asiad is a multi-sport event held in Busan, South Korea from September 29 to October 14, 2002. Busan is the second city in South Korea, after Seoul in 1986 to host the Games. A total of 419 events in 38 sports were contested by 7,711 athletes from 44 countries. The Games also co-hosted by its four neighbouring cities: Ulsan, Changwon, Masan and Yangsan.
The emblem of the Games featured the blue waves of sea in the shape of Taegeuk, symbolising Busan and Korea. It expresses the image of development and unity of the Asian people; two dynamic powers are closely intertwined, while the wave's shape indicates the character B, the first character of Busan.
Sea gulls, are sometimes called the city bird of Busan. It is named "Duria", a combination of the two words 'Durative' and 'Asia', which means "You and Me Together" in the Korean language, and expresses the ideal of the Games: to promote unity and partnership among Asian countries.