Kwannam, or Gwannam (), is a subregion of
Kwanbuk, a
region
In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as areas, zones, lands or territories, are portions of the Earth's surface that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and ...
of
Korea
Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically Division of Korea, divided at or near the 38th parallel north, 3 ...
, in the northeast of the peninsula. Kwannam traditionally encompasses
South Hamgyŏng Province and
Wŏnsan and
Munch'ŏn Cities and
Ch'ŏnnae,
Pŏptong,
Kosan, and
Anbyŏn Counties of
Kangwŏn Province in
North Korea
North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders China and Russia to the north at the Yalu River, Yalu (Amnok) an ...
.
Etymology
The region occupies most of South Hamgyong Province, so is often referred to as ''Hamnam'' (함남) as an abbreviation for the region's primary province. The name ''Kwannam'', however, means "south of the ridge", in reference to the
Mach'ŏnryŏng ridge, a part of the greater
Hamgyong Mountains, that runs through South Hamgyong.
References
{{NorthKorea-geo-stub
Regions of Korea