Masan is a city in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. The city is situated on Masan Bay approximately 35 km west of Busan and has a population of more than 418,000 people. Jacksonville twinned with Masan in 1983.

History

During the control of the Mongolians, the town was known as Happo. Therefore, the old and still commonly used name for Masan-man is Happo-man. In 1899, the port of Masan was opened. Among the initial trading goods were salt, fish, cotton and other goods. In 1949, the city’s name was changed to Masan.

Business

Masan’s port is undergoing development as the transportation hub for the southeastern area of the Korean peninsula, harmonizing its harbor and downtown functions. Also, an artificial intelligence type robotics industry (inside Masan Valley) is under construction, as is construction of an industrial complex for small and medium sized companies and promoting the specialization and grouping of the industries.

Culture

Masan is a city of art and culture where the famous poetic Korean song "Gagopa" was born. Masan has preserved fossil remains, such as dinosaur footprints, and many archeological relics to its show to visitors. Woryeongdae, the monument that holds the inscription of Chi-won Choi , the most outstanding literary scholar in the late Silla dynasty(A.D 700), is one of the most attractive destinations for tourists.

For more information about Masan, visit http://contents.masan.go.kr:8080/english_new/mayor/greeting.asp.