LOCATION AND SIZE

The DMZ stretches across the middle of the Korean peninsula and is about 248 km (154 miles) long and 4 km (2.5 miles) wide. It was established as part of the armistice that brought an end to the 1950-1953 Korean War. It covers an area of 992 sq km (383 sq mile), and comprises mountainous regions as well as prairies, marshlands and forests.

BIODIVERSITY

Environmentalists estimate there are about 2,900 different plant species there as well as about 70 different types of mammals and 320 different types of birds in the DMZ.

The DMZ is home to several endangered and rare species of animal and plant life including the red-crown crane and the white-naped crane, two of the world's most endangered birds. It has become a resting place for migratory birds coming from places such as Siberia, Australia, Japan and Manchuria.

MILITARY

North and South Korea have well over 1 million troops near their sides of the DMZ and line the border with razor wire, heavy armaments and tank traps. But almost the entire area within the DMZ has been off-limits to troops and people for over 50 years.

CONSERVATION

Media mogul and conservationist Ted Turner is backing plans to turn the DMZ into a peace park nature preserve if the two Koreas end their military hostilities.

South Korea has considered working with North Korea to have the DMZ designated as a UNESCO Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, which would eventually make the area a nature sanctuary.