Iksan

Iksan was once the capital of the ancient Baekje Kingdom. Temples built then are still standing. Iksan has always been an important transport center. After the Iri train station explosion in 1977, Iksan fell into a state of decline. However, the city's train station was later rebuilt, and it became the junction of three rail lines named above. It now services KTX and Saemaul trains as well as frequent bus lines. Today, Iksan is once again a thriving city. ==Geography==

Iksan is situated on the Okgu and Keumman Plains, which lead to the West Sea [Yellow Sea]. As it is located very near the sea where ships can transport a wide variety of products, Iksan has served as a logistical and traffic center for a long time. The city is in the northwestern part of Jeollabuk-do. East are the rugged mountains of Mt. Cheonho and Mt. Mireuk (Mireuksan (Jeollabuk-do)) at the edge of the Noryeong Mountains, and northwest the range of Mt. Hamra lead to a series of hills and a great stream that has formed the fertile Okgu plain to the west. Iksan borders Nonsan-gun and Buyeo-gun, Chuncheongnam-do, and is divided by the Keum-gang[river] in the north. It faces the Kimje Plains, divided by Mankyeong-gang, to the south. ==Transportation==

• Iksan Bus Terminal The Iksan Bus Terminal (익산종합버스터미널) provides daily bus service to most cities in South Korea. Express buses to Seoul, Ansan, and Incheon are available. • Iksan Train station ==Culture==

Museums • Iksan Jewelry Museum • Mireuksaji Museum • Wanggung-Ri Relics Museum Architecture • Mireuksaji Stone Pagoda Parks • Central Park(Chungang Cheuk Gongwon) • Seodong Park • Gemma sculpture park Events • Iksan hosted the 99th National Athletic Meet in 2018. ==Sister cities==

• Zhenjiang, Jiangsu • Odense, Southern Denmark • , Culver City, California ==Notable people==

• Birdie Kim, LPGA golfer • Sunmi (born May 2, 1992), member of the girl group Wonder Girls. • Park Jeong Seung (stage name Jeongseung, born May 20, 2002), member of the boy group D-Crunch. • Kim Su A (stage name Baekah, born October 24, 1999), member of the girl group NeonPunch and the sub-unit XUM (Xumething Unlimited Move). • Dino (birth name Lee Chan, born February 11, 1999), member of the boy group Seventeen (South Korean band). • Park Jeong Woo (born September 28, 2004), member of the boy group Treasure (band). • So Jung Hwan (born February 18, 2005), member of the boy group Treasure (band). ==See also==