The Korean peninsula extends southward from the eastern end of the Asian continent, bordering mainland China to the northwest. It is one of the most mountainous regions in the world. Korea has breathtaking landscapes of scenic hills and valleys. In the cities this feature of the terrain makes for very interesting and hilly neighborhoods and alleyways wherein can be found large--and sometimes steep--staircases taking the pedestrian from one sidewalk and level to another. At one moment you are at foundation level, and at the next you are looking over rooftops. The Korean peninsula is divided just slightly north of the 38th parallel. The democratic Republic of Korea in the south and communist North Korea are separated by a “demilitarized zone“which happens in actuality to be one of the most heavily militarized area of this type in the world.