Capital of North Korea: Pyongyang — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of North Korea is Pyongyang. North Korea sits in Asia, has a population of 26,069,416, and uses the KPW. Official languages include Korean.
Quick facts
- Capital: Pyongyang
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~26,069,416
- Area: 120,538 km²
- Population density: 216 people per km²
- Official language: Korean
- Currency: KPW
- ISO code: KP
How big is North Korea?
By population, North Korea ranks 56th in the world, holding roughly 0.33% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 97th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. North Korea has 216 people per square kilometre, which is about 3.6 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Asia, North Korea is the 21th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to North Korea in population are Australia (26,177,413) and Niger (26,207,977).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Malawi (118,484 km²) and Eritrea (117,600 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Korean is spoken officially in 2 countries in this dataset, including South Korea.
North Korea uses the KPW, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember North Korea
Pyongyang lies on the Taedong River, about 109 km upstream from the Yellow Sea. To keep the two Koreas apart: North Korea's flag has the red star, South Korea's has the red-and-blue circle; capitals are Pyongyang in the north and Seoul in the south.
The flag of North Korea: blue, red and white
🇰🇵 The flag is a wide red stripe edged in white between two blue stripes, with a white disc holding a red five-pointed star near the flagpole. Red stands for revolutionary traditions, white for purity, strength and dignity, and blue for sovereignty, peace and friendship. The red star represents socialism.
Region and neighbours
North Korea is a country in East Asia that makes up the northern half of the Korean Peninsula, bordering China and Russia along the Yalu and Tumen rivers. It shares land borders with 3 countries: China, Russia and South Korea.
- China 🇨🇳 — capital Beijing
- Russia 🇷🇺 — capital Moscow
- South Korea 🇰🇷 — capital Seoul
Three facts about North Korea
- Paektu Mountain, a volcano 2,744 m high, is the highest point in North Korea.
- Korean is written with Chosŏn'gŭl, the alphabet known internationally as Hangul.
- Pyongyang is the capital and largest city of North Korea.
Sources: Wikipedia: North Korea, Wikipedia: Flag of North Korea, Wikipedia: Pyongyang, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on North Korea
- Asian capitals quiz — match North Korea to Pyongyang
- Asian flags quiz — spot the North Korea flag among its neighbours
North Korea capital quiz
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North Korea in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block North Korea belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for North Korea.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of North Korea?
The capital of North Korea is Pyongyang.
What is the population of North Korea?
About 26,069,416, making it the 56th most populous country in the world.
How big is North Korea?
120,538 square kilometres, ranking 97th by land area, at a density of 216 people per square kilometre.
What currency does North Korea use?
The KPW, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the North Korea flag?
The flag of North Korea is a wide red stripe edged in white between two blue stripes, with a white disc holding a red five-pointed star near the flagpole. Red stands for revolutionary traditions, white for purity, strength and dignity, and blue for sovereignty, peace and friendship. The red star represents socialism.
Which countries border North Korea?
North Korea shares land borders with China, Russia and South Korea.
How can I remember the capital of North Korea?
Pyongyang lies on the Taedong River, about 109 km upstream from the Yellow Sea. To keep the two Koreas apart: North Korea's flag has the red star, South Korea's has the red-and-blue circle; capitals are Pyongyang in the north and Seoul in the south.
More capitals to learn
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