Joam

Joam is a small town located in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. The town is a part of the primarily rural, agricultural Hwaseong City. Joam is also the urban center of U-Jung Eup, the population of which is approximately 18000. U-Jung Eup encompasses both Joam and the much of the surrounding rural countryside. Agriculture is the primary feature of the surrounding countryside. Rice is the most common crop but Chinese cabbage, mu, peppers, vegetables, livestock and fruit are all raised locally. The area is also home to several industrial sites including a large Kia motors test facility. The town itself features many small businesses, restaurants and a traditional market. [ [http://english.hscity.net/ ¢Æ +++ ±âºÐÁÁÀº µµ½Ã (Fine City) +++ ¢Æ ] ]

Transportation

The Joam bus terminal provides direct intercity bus trips to both Suwon City and Seoul Sadang station. These buses operate seven days a week and offer frequent daily trips. Exact times for both departure and return trips are posted at the bus terminal. Joam is also serviced by local buses and is the home of a taxi depot.

Shopping

Joam hosts many small businesses including traditional open air merchants and more modern stores. Important stores include New World Mart, a large grocery store with an upper level dedicated to household goods, several branches of Nonghyeup bank, a samsung electronics store, two post offices and many smaller grocers and retailers. Many other stores cater to Joam's farmers, selling agricultural equipment and seeds. Joam also hosts a small store that caters to South Asian and Russian migrant workers. This store located across the street from New World Mart is the best source of rare items such as Indian spices, black tea and international calling cards. Key convenient stores such as Family Mart and Mini Stop also have outlets in Joam.Joam also hosts a traditional outdoor folk market three times a month. This market offers in fresh produce, baked and dried goods, seafood, plants, household items and clothing.

Entertainment

Joam is home to several bars and hof that serve a variety of Korean draft beers such as Hite O.B. and Cass. These establishments also specialize in soju, Western liquor and Korean bar snacks. Another popular entertainment are Korean Karaokki bars, several of which can be found on Joam's main street and in the Joam Plaza Building.Joam also boasts numerous restaurants. These include several Korean diners that serve popular dishes such as bi bim bap and kimbap. These dishes are always served with kimchi and other traditional sides. These meals generally cost 5000 Won or less. For a casual meal Pizza and street vendor snacks such as fried chicken are also available. Joam also boasts more upscale seafood, sushi and galbi restaurants as well as a Japanese eatery.Joam is also home to a hillside park and exercise area. This park offers a casual hike, an excellent view of the town, a picnic area, and exercise equipment.The U-jung Eup office, (essentially the town hall) in Joam also provides an exercise facility, local library and hosts local events.A small lake and fishing resort is also located just outside of town.

Places of Worship

Joam like the rest of south Korea is home to both Christian and Buddhistplaces of worship. Joam has several churches both Protestant and Catholic, which can often be recognized by their lit steeples. There is also a Buddhist temple at the base of the hilltop park.

Climate

Located in the Midwest area of the Korean Peninsula, the city is in a transitional area from warm southern areas to continental northern areas and displays a characteristic of a weather where the temperatures in winter are low along the coast since it is located in the lower plains and close to the inland West Sea where the water level is shallow.Therefore, it falls under a type known as the mid-west coast type in the Korean local climate since it is located in a transitional area where the climate changes from mild and humid to cold. Winters are generally cold with temperatures in January averaging below freezing. Winters are also dry and sunny with periodic snow. Summer is hot and humid and is the wettest season. [ [http://english.hscity.net/ ¢Æ +++ ±âºÐÁÁÀº µµ½Ã (Fine City) +++ ¢Æ ] ] Spring and fall are the most mild and comfortable seasons. They are also periods of flowering and agricultural activity. Because of Joam's abundant natural and agricultural scenery these seasons are an excellent time for visitors to appreciate the scenery around Joam.

Natural and agricultural scenery

The countryside surrounding Joam is primarily agricultural with significant numerous patches of forested land. The countryside is home to many pine and leafy trees, numerous flowers and birds and edible plants that are collected by the population.Many farms in the area are operated by small holders and families farming rice in fields and vegetables in greenhouses. In the late summer drying peppers are a common site in front of many farm houses. In the fall rice is harvested in vast quantities and is celebrated with the Chuseok festival. In the winter agricultural scraps are burned is the fields to restore nutrients and clear the way for Spring planting. In the Spring the fields are flooded and planted with new rice seedlings begun in greenhouses. Spring is also the season when many flowers bloom throughout the area. The area is also home to many older traditional farmhouses that give it a unique historical flavor. When walking the many paths and country roads around Joam many traditional burial mounds can be seen. These grass covered burial mounds, are the location of traditional ceremonies at Chuseok and Korean New Year.

Schools

Joam is home to several public and private schools. Public schools include elementary schools, both boys and girls middle schools and a high school.Joam also hosts numerous private academies called Hagwons. Students attending Hagwons receive extra education in subjects ranging from math to music to taikwondo to English as a second language.

Links

* [http://english.hscity.net/ Hwaseong city English site]
* [http://wikimapia.org/3089866/Joam_Sa_Ri Ariel image of Joam]

References