[royal palace entrance.jpg|thumb|Entrance to [[Gyeongbokgung]]]
[Gyeongbokgung Throne.jpg|thumb|[[Joseon dynasty] royal throne]]
Korea is a geographic area composed of two sovereign countries, a civilization, and a former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. It borders China to the north-west and Russia to the east, with Mongolia situated farther to the west, and Japan to the east. The Korean Peninsula is divided into two separate states, North Korea and South Korea.

According to Samguk Yusa, the history of Korea began with the founding of Gojoseon in 2333 BC by the legendary Dangun.