Kwaksan County is a kun (, 'county') in coastal southern North P'yŏngan province, North Korea. It faces the Yellow Sea to the south. By land, it is bordered by Kusŏng city to the north, Chŏngju to the east, and Sŏnch'ŏn to the west.

Geography

Numerous small rivers meet the sea in Kwaksan, including the Tongrae, Sasŏng, and Sach'ŏn (사천강). There are 15 islands off the coast, which measures 67 km in total. Forestland occupies 46.5% of the county's area, and is 80% pine; cultivated land occupies 30% of the area, and is 50% rice paddies.

Administrative divisions

Kwaksan county is divided into 1 ŭp (town) and 19 ri (villages):

Climate

The year-round average temperature is 9.2 C, with a January mean of -8.2 C and an August average of 23.7 C. The average annual rainfall is 1380 mm.

Economy

The chief crops are rice, maize, apples, and peaches. Silkworms and livestock are also raised, and fishing also contributes to the local economy.

Transportation

The P'yŏngŭi Line of the Korean State Railway passes through the county on its way between P'yŏngyang and Sinŭiju.

Places of interest

Local attractions include a five-story stone pagoda dating from the Koryŏ period in Wŏnha-ri, and the Rŭngsan fortress (릉산성), established in 996 by the general Sŏ Hŭi. The only institution of higher learning in the county is a technical school.