Where does the name Mapo come from? It comes from an old ferry across the Han River. The name can be translated as hemp ferry. We are standing in Mapo District. It is one of Seoul’s 25 districts. Mapo has a population of over 381,000. Its geographic area covers almost 24 square kilometers. The district is divided into 24 neighborhoods called dongs.
Mapo sits in western Seoul. It is on the northern bank of the Han River. It borders Goyang to the northwest. Goyang is a city in Gyeonggi Province. Mapo also borders Gangseo to the west. Yeongdeungpo lies to the south. Yongsan is to the southeast. Jung is to the east. Seodaemun and Eunpyeong are to the north.
Mapo is home to many universities and government buildings. It is famous for the Hongdae club district. This area surrounds Hongik University. Several subway lines run through Mapo. These include Line 2, Line 5, and Line 6. The Airport Railroad and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line also pass through here. You can easily explore Mapo thanks to this excellent transport network.
Let’s talk more about Mapo’s economy. Mapo is an economically strong district within Seoul. An office district has grown around Gongdeok Station. Another has formed in the Digital Media City area. Large commercial districts thrive near Sinchon Station. Hongdae Station, Hapjeong Station, and Mangwon Station also have strong economies. The Hongdae Street area has become a major tourist destination. Visitors come from all over the world. Foreign spending boosts Mapo District’s economy.
Getting around Mapo is easy. It has excellent access to Jongno and Yeongdeungpo. Gongdeok Station is a major transportation hub. Four different lines intersect here. This has caused real estate prices to increase dramatically. Mapo was once known for haphazard development. Since the 2000s, redevelopment efforts have improved the area. It is now one of the top real estate markets in Seoul.
The subway lines in Mapo are strategically located. They provide excellent metro access throughout the district. Hongdae Station is a transfer point for three lines. These are Line 2, the Airport Railroad, and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line. Hapjeong Station connects Lines 2 and 6. It serves as a transit hub for northwestern Gyeonggi Province.
Education is important in Mapo. Four universities are located here. These include Sogang University and Hongik University. The Hongdae area is a cultural center of Seoul. It was named one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world in 2016. There are many schools in Mapo. These include eight high schools, 12 middle schools, and 20 elementary schools. Mapo also has three special schools for disabled or industrial education. The universities create a vibrant atmosphere. Mapo offers a large variety of shopping and dining options.
Mapo District was formed in 1944. It was created from portions of Seodaemun and Yongsan Districts. The dong structure was revised in 1985 and 2008. Residences take up about 53% of Mapo’s area. Many of these are high-rise apartment buildings. Greenspace makes up 43% of the area. This includes World Cup Park and parkland along the Han River. In 2008, some smaller precincts merged. This reduced the number of administrative offices. There are now 16 precinct offices instead of 24. The addresses did not change.