North Korea

Major Cities: The largest city is P'y4ngyang, with a reported 3.3 million inhabitants in 2005.

According to the 1993 census, others, based on population size, are Namp'o, Hamhßng,

Ch'4ngjin, Kaes4ng, Sinßiju, and W4nsan (all with populations of more than 300,000).

Independence: August 15, 1945, from Japan; Democratic People's Republic of Korea founded

September 9, 1948.

National Public Holidays: New Year's Day (January 1), Kim Jong Il's Birthday (February 16-

17), International Women's Day (March 8), Day of the Sun (Kim Il Sung's Birthday, April 15-

16), Army Day (April 25), International Workers' Day (May 1), Fatherland Liberation War

Victory Day (July 27), National Liberation Day (August 15), Democratic People's Republic of

Korea Founding Day (September 9), Korean Workers' Party Founding Day (October 10), and

Constitution Day (December 27). Also celebrated are Lunar New Year's