Night Earth

Pyongyang, North Korea

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Night Pyongyang
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Pyongyang is the capital city of North Korea, and it's located in the southwest part of the country, on the banks of the Taedong River. As of 2021, the estimated population of Pyongyang is around 2.8 million inhabitants, making it the largest city in North Korea.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Pyongyang is the way it looks at night. Due to the lack of electric infrastructure and the economic sanctions imposed on North Korea, the city doesn't have many lights at night, especially compared to other major cities around the world. The limited amount of light sources is mainly concentrated in the central part of the city, around Kim Il-Sung Square and the Ryugyong Hotel.

The most significant factor that affects the level of light pollution in Pyongyang is the country's economic situation. North Korea's electricity production is scarce, and most of the population has no access to it. As a result, the majority of the buildings in Pyongyang are not illuminated at night, and there is a minimal amount of street lighting.

Another factor that affects the level of light pollution in Pyongyang is the government's policy on electricity consumption. In an effort to save energy, the government has implemented a system where electricity is only available for a few hours a day. Therefore, most of the city's inhabitants rely on candles, kerosene lamps, and other types of traditional lighting.

Despite the limited lighting in Pyongyang, there are some notable landmarks that are illuminated at night. One of them is the Ryugyong Hotel, which is a 105-story pyramid-shaped skyscraper that dominates the city skyline. The hotel's exterior is equipped with LED lights that change color depending on the occasion, creating a mesmerizing display visible from miles away.

Other notable landmarks that are lit at night include the Juche Tower, the Arch of Triumph, and the Mansudae Grand Monument. The Juche Tower is a 170-meter-tall granite tower that represents the Juche ideology, which is the official state ideology of North Korea. The Arch of Triumph is a massive archway that commemorates the Korean resistance against Japan's occupation in the early 20th century. The Mansudae Grand Monument is a bronze statue of the country's founder, Kim Il-Sung, and his son, Kim Jong-Il.

In terms of the city's habits and industry, Pyongyang is mostly an administrative and political center. The government is the largest employer in the city, and most of the population works for the state. Therefore, the city's inhabitants have a strict schedule that revolves around their work and the government's policies. The city's industry is mostly focused on heavy manufacturing and military production, with several factories producing weapons, vehicles, and other military equipment.

Pyongyang is a city that stands out for its limited amount of night lighting, mainly due to the country's economic situation and government policies. The city has a few notable landmarks that are illuminated at night, such as the Ryugyong Hotel, the Juche Tower, the Arch of Triumph, and the Mansudae Grand Monument. With a population of around 2.8 million inhabitants, Pyongyang is the largest city in North Korea, and most of its inhabitants work for the state, mostly in heavy manufacturing and military production.