# Masan

> former municipal city in South Korea

**Wikidata**: [Q495387](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q495387)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masan)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/masan

## Summary
Masan was a former municipal city in South Korea that existed until its dissolution on June 30, 2010. At its peak, it had a population of over 400,000 residents and was historically located in Asan, South Chungcheong Province. Today, it is recognized primarily for its historical significance and integration into broader regional developments.

## Key Facts
- Masan was classified as a human settlement, city, and big city (population ≥100,000).
- Country: South Korea
- Located in: Asan, South Chungcheong Province
- Population:
  - 429,612 (as of 2003)
  - 179,266 (as of November 2023)
- Coordinates: 35.183333333333° N, 128.55° E
- Timezone: UTC+09:00
- UN/LOCODE: KRMAS
- Dissolved on: June 30, 2010
- Formerly part of: Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 마산시)
- Aliases include: 馬山府, マサン市, 합포시, 마산부, Масан-си, Мозампо
- Notable institutions:
  - Roman Catholic Diocese of Masan (established 1966)
  - Samyang Optics (headquartered in Masan, established 1972)
- Image source: [Korea_Masan_Samhoro_road_1.jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Korea_Masan_Samhoro_road_1.jpg)
- Sitelink count: 27
- Wikidata description: "former municipal city in South Korea"
- Different from: Masaan (note spelling difference)

## FAQs

### What is Masan?
Masan was a former municipal city in South Korea, dissolved on June 30, 2010. It was historically located in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, and had a population exceeding 400,000 at its peak.

### Where was Masan located?
Masan was situated in Asan, within South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 35.1833° N latitude and 128.55° E longitude.

### When did Masan cease to exist as a city?
Masan was officially dissolved on June 30, 2010. After this date, it no longer functioned as an independent municipal entity.

### What organizations or institutions were based in Masan?
Notable institutions included:
- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Masan, established in 1966.
- Samyang Optics, a manufacturer of third-party camera lenses headquartered in Masan since 1972.

### What is the current population of Masan?
As of November 2023, the population of the area formerly known as Masan was recorded at 179,266. In 2003, it was reported to have over 429,000 residents.

### Is Masan the same as Masaan?
No, Masan and Masaan are distinct entities. Masan refers to the former South Korean city, while Masaan is a different location or possibly a misspelling.

### What languages or names has Masan been known by?
Masan has been referred to by various names including:
- 馬山府 (Chinese)
- マサン市, マサン (Japanese)
- 합포시, 마산부, 경상남도 마산시 (Korean)
- Масан-си, Мозампо (Russian)

## Why It Matters
Masan holds historical importance as a once-significant urban center in South Korea that played a role in regional development and industrialization. Its dissolution in 2010 marked a shift in local governance and urban planning, integrating its territory into larger administrative units. Additionally, Masan hosted key institutions like Samyang Optics and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Masan, contributing to both economic and cultural life in the region.

## Notable For
- Being a former municipal city with a population exceeding 400,000
- Hosting the headquarters of Samyang Optics, a notable optics manufacturer
- The establishment of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Masan in 1966
- Integration into modern South Korean administrative restructuring post-2010
- Historical aliases in multiple languages reflecting its international recognition

## Body

### History
Masan was originally established as a municipal city in South Korea and served as a significant urban hub in the southeastern part of the country. By 2003, its population reached 429,612, making it a classified "big city" under South Korean definitions. However, due to administrative reforms and regional consolidation efforts, Masan was officially dissolved on June 30, 2010. Since then, its former territory has been integrated into other jurisdictions, primarily within Asan, South Chungcheong Province.

### Geography and Demographics
Geographically, Masan is located at 35.183333333333° N latitude and 128.55° E longitude. It falls under the UTC+09:00 timezone and carries the UN/LOCODE designation KRMAS. The city's population declined significantly after its dissolution, with only 179,266 residents recorded in November 2023. This demographic shift reflects broader trends in South Korean urbanization and administrative reorganization.

### Institutions and Organizations
Masan was home to several important institutions:
- **Roman Catholic Diocese of Masan**: Established in 1966, this diocese played a central role in the religious and social life of the region.
- **Samyang Optics**: Founded in 1972, this company specializes in manufacturing third-party camera lenses and maintained its headquarters in Masan until the city’s dissolution.

These organizations underscored Masan’s role as a center for both spiritual and industrial activity.

### Cultural and Linguistic Identity
Masan has been known by numerous names across cultures:
- In Chinese: 馬山府
- In Japanese: マサン市, マサン
- In Korean: 합포시, 마산부, 경상남도 마산시
- In Russian: Масан-си, Мозампо

This multilingual recognition highlights Masan’s historical relevance beyond South Korea’s borders.

### Legacy and Current Status
Although Masan no longer exists as an independent city, its legacy persists through its former institutions, geographic markers, and cultural references. The dissolution of Masan represents a broader trend in South Korea toward consolidating smaller municipalities into larger, more efficient administrative regions. Despite its formal end, Masan remains a point of reference in historical, geographic, and institutional contexts.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://kosis.kr/statHtml/statHtml.do?orgId=101&tblId=DT_1B040A3&checkFlag=N)
5. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
6. museum-digital