Land area

122,762 sq km (official figure)

Population

24.1m (2008 census)

Main towns

Population in '000, 1993

Pyongyang (capital): 3,255 (2008 census)

Nampo: 731

Hamhung: 710

Chongjin: 582

Kaesong: 334

Sinuiju: 326

Wonsan: 300

Climate

Continental, with extremes of temperature

Weather in Wonsan (altitude 37 metres)

Hottest month, August, 20-27°C (average daily minimum and maximum); coldest month, January, minus 8-1°C; driest month, January, 30 mm average rainfall; wettest month, August, 317 mm average rainfall

Language

Korean

Measures

Metric system; also Korean measures

Currency

North Korean won (Won). Won1 = 100 chon. Official exchange rate in 2009: Won145:US$1, but black-market rates are vastly higher. The currency was redenominated in November 2009 at the rate of 100 old won for 1 new won

Time

9 hours ahead of GMT

Public holidays

January 1st (New Year); February 3rd-5th (Seollal, Lunar New Year); February 16th, 17th (Kim Jong-il's birthday); April 15th-16th (birthday of the "eternal president", the late Kim Il-sung); April 25th (founding of the Korean People's Army); May 1st (Labour Day); June 6th (Surinal); July 27th (Victory Day); August 15th (Liberation Day); September 9th (National Day); September 12th-14th (Han'gawi, Harvest Moon Festival); October 10th (foundation of the Workers' Party of Korea); December 27th (Constitution Day)