Baekdu-daegan

Baekdu-daegan
백두대간
白頭大幹
The summit caldera of Paektu Mountain, the tallest mountain of Baekdu-daegan (2012)
Highest point
PeakPaektu Mountain
Elevation2,744 m (9,003 ft)
Coordinates41°59′36″N 128°04′39″E / 41.99333°N 128.07750°E / 41.99333; 128.07750
Dimensions
Length1,500 km (930 mi)
Geography
Countries
  • South Korea
  • North Korea
  • China
Range coordinates38°40′N 127°54′E / 38.667°N 127.900°E / 38.667; 127.900
Korean name
Hangul
백두대간
Hanja
Revised RomanizationBaekdu-daegan
McCune–ReischauerPaektu-taegan

Baekdu-daegan (Korean: 백두대간; Hanja: 白頭大幹) is a traditional Korean conception of the mountains and consequently the watersheds of the Korean Peninsula. The mountain range stretches the length of the Korean Peninsula, around 1,500 km, from Baekdu Mountain in the north to Jirisan, or Hallasan on Jeju Island in the south. The mountain range is often associated with national identity and traditional Korean shamanism.

Baekdu-daegan is considered to include the Sobaek and Taebaek mountain ranges. Although currently impossible due to the Korean Demilitarized Zone between North Korea and South Korea, hiking the length of the mountains is considered a desirable goal aligned with the Korean reunification movement. The 687 km South Korean portion of the range is popular for hiking.

It is often referred to as the "spine" or "backbone" of the Korean Peninsula.