Busan is Korea's largest port and second largest city, with a population of four million people. Located on the south-eastern coast of Korea, Busan has been the maritime gateway to Korea for almost 500 years. Busan was opened to international shipping in 1876 and swiftly grew into one of Asia's most important ports.

Busan remains the centre of economy, industry, sport, culture education and tourism for the south-eastern region of the country. Fortune magazine recently voted the city one of the ten best places in Asia to do business.

Naturally, life in Busan is heavily influenced by the sea. The city's beaches and the many islands that lie off its coast are a popular tourist destination in the blazing Korean summer. The sand beds and reed fields around Busan also attract hundreds of thousands of migratory birds every year.

For the lover of seafood, Busan boasts the largest fish market in Korea at Jagalchi. The catch arrives in the early morning and from there is sold to the thousands of fish restaurants and wholesalers in the city. For the tourist there are also bargains to be had and a few thousand won will buy the freshest of fresh fish to be cooked - or not - to taste.

The city's Haeundae Beach is a centre not only for traditional sun-worship but also for a wide range of water sports, from yachting and windsurfing to scuba diving.

Above the city are forested hills housing some of Korea's best preserved temples and Korea's largest hill fortress, Geumjeong Fortress, with a wall that stretches 17 km.

Busan is also rapidly developing a reputation as Korea's film capital, with an annual international film festival that draws entries from all over the world. The film festival is just one of many cultural events that make Busan a fascinating destination any time of the year. Busan will also host the 2002 Asian Games next September.

Information

Website: www.busanworldcup.net

Tel: 82-51-462-2256

Fax: 82-51-462-2257

Key Facts Name: Busan Asiad Main Stadium Type: Multi-Purpose Opened: September 16 2001 Cost: W226.9 billion Total Capacity: 53,926 Spectator seats: Under cover: 44,220 Open: 9,076 VIP seats: 536 VIP Boxes: 0 Disabled seats: 252

Pitch Size: 109m x 75m Spectator Parking: 4,015 Distances to Stadium From city centre: 2 km From Gimhae Airport: 16 km From railway station: 11 km From bus terminal: 11 km Press Facilities Press seats: 512 Seats with desk and telephone: 862 Space for commentators: 426 Space for photographers: 128

Source: FIFA

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