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According to legend, 3 leather-clad gods rose from the earth and lived by hunting on the island. One day, they came across a wooden chest which contained 3 princesses from the east sea. The three gods each married a princess and lived raising the 5 different seeds, cows, and horses that the princesses had brought with them. There are no concrete written records about the beginnings of 'Tamnaguk' (current Jeju-do), but it is believed that the nation formed around the time of Christ and enjoyed flourishing trade with the southern nations of the Korean peninsula due to its advantageous geographical location. The nation was most likely independent or subordinate to the three kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla during the era of the three kingdoms, and continued its history and unique culture afterwards during the Goryeo era. In 1105 Tamraguk was named a part of Goryeo, but its monarchy was allowed to retain its position, continuing its tradition as a sovereign nation in actuality. After the Joseon era and the Japanese Invasion, it was officially named a province. It currently includes 2 cities (si), 2 counties (gun), and 5 county subdivisions (myeon).
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A unique aspect of Jeju-do's geography is that it is one of the world's top volcanic land formations, with large amounts of basalt, trachyte, and sedimentary rocks. It is believed that there are over 100 lava caves on the island, but only 60 have been found and confirmed to this date. Geographically, the island is formed around Mt. Hallasan, with gentle slopes of about 3° ~ 5° to the east and west, and steeper slopes of about 5° to the north and south.
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Jeju-do's climate is both subtropical and oceanic. Though warm and mild, the island retains four distinct seasons. The average yearly temperature is 16°C, which can climb up to 33.5°C during the hot summer months. During January, the coldest month of the year, the temperature drops to about 1.0°C. Jeju-do Island possesses the mildest temperature fluctuations in Korea.
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 Spring (March to May) 13°C (55.4°F) |
| Summer (June to August) 24°C (75°F) |
| Fall (September to November) 16°C (60.8°F) |
| Winter (December to February) 5°C (41°F) |
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Jeju-do Island is an island separate from mainland Korea and possesses distinct cultural characteristics as such. The island's residents have developed strong spirits and diligent lifestyles owing to generations of battle with the fierce ocean and dry soil. The island is sometimes called 'Samdado' in reference to the beauty of its winds, rocks, and women. Many of Jeju-do's folk legends and songs such as the story of the 'Seolmundae Grandmother' tells beautiful, melancholy tales, and 'Hyeyo's Song' is often called the folk music of Jeju. The island people believe in many different gods- for example, they believe that the Kang Grandmother and ancestral gods watch over their children. Every time they head out to sea, the island dwellers offer a prayer for their safe return to the gods.
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