This region has a rich cultural and artistic heritage with the glorious cultural relics of Aragaya dating back to 900 years ago. Many talented people hail from this region, including most notably Great General Lee Bang-sil of the Goryeo Dynasty and the Great Scholar Ju Se-boong. It has the largest population of any of the 10 guns of Gyeongsangnam-do and has a famously solid financial status. It also features excellent culture and sports infrastructure and the highest level of horticulture facilities in Korea, including watermelon farming. This region is characterized by the rapid growth of secondary industry under the government policy of developing agriculture and industry in tandem (1,515 secondary industry firms).
Location
It is located in the center of Gyeongsangnam-do, with the high southern area including Mt. Yeohang (770m) and Mt. Bangeo (530m) to the southwest, and the low northern area through which the Nakdong River runs. It is the important traffic center through which Gyeongjeon Railroad Line and Namhae Expressway penetrate from east to west, and Guma Expressway, which runs along the north-south axis.
Area : 417㎢
Population : 68,000
Main industries
Watermelon, Pasu dried persimmon, Gaya baekja melon, healthy rice, and sweet persimmon
Regional characteristics
This region has a rich cultural and artistic heritage with the glorious cultural relics of Aragaya dating back to 900 years ago. It features Dohang-ri Malsan-ri Ancient Tombs, Seongsansanseong Fortress, Daesan-ri Stone Buddha, Mt. Bangeo Mae Rock Cliff Buddha, well-developed facility horticulture, Chilseo Regional Industrial Complex, and Gunbuk Regional Industrial Complex
Festivals
Ara Festival (Apr. 18-20), Haman-eup Nakhwa Festival, Watermelon Festival, and Samchil Tug-of-War
