According to petwithsupplies, North Korea is a small country, with an estimated population of 25.5 million people. As such, the country does not have many large cities compared to its neighbors. The four largest cities in North Korea are Pyongyang, the capital and largest city; Hamhung, the second largest city; Chongjin, the third largest city; and Wonsan, the fourth largest city. Pyongyang is home to over 3 million people and serves as North Korea’s political, economic and cultural center. Located on the banks of the Taedong River, Pyongyang is known for its grandeur and striking architecture. It is home to numerous monuments and landmarks including Kim Il-sung Square and the Tower of Juche Idea. The city has a well-developed infrastructure network consisting of roads, railways and an international airport. Hamhung is North Korea’s second largest city with a population of 1.5 million people. It serves as an industrial hub for heavy industries such as steel production and chemical manufacturing. The city also has several universities including Hamhung University of Chemical Technology which specializes in chemical engineering research and training programs for students from around the world. Chongjin is North Korea’s third largest city with a population of over 800 thousand people. It serves as an important port on the Sea Of Japan (East Sea) which connects it with other major cities in East Asia such as Tokyo and Seoul. Chongjin is also home to numerous factories producing products such as textiles, chemicals and foodstuffs for both domestic consumption and export around the world. Wonsan is North Korea’s fourth-largest city with a population of approximately 500 thousand people. Located on the east coast of North Korea, Wonsan has historically been used by both civilian vessels as well as military ships due to its strategic location at sea routes connecting Japan to Russia through Korean waters. The city also serves as an important port for trade between North Korean ports located on both sides of the Korean Peninsula. The geopolitics of North Korea in 2008 were characterized by ongoing tensions between North Korea and the United States, as well as between North Korea and its neighbors. In October 2006, North Korea had conducted its first nuclear test in defiance of international pressure to abandon its nuclear weapons program. This event further intensified tensions between the US and North Korea, as well as with other countries in the region. In February 2007, six-party talks aimed at resolving the crisis were launched but failed to produce any concrete results. In June 2008, US President George W. Bush signed an executive order that would impose financial sanctions against North Korean entities and individuals involved in nuclear proliferation and the development of weapons of mass destruction. These sanctions were seen as a direct response to the continued development of nuclear weapons by North Korea despite international pressure. The relations between South and North Korea were also strained during this period due to a number of issues including unresolved border disputes and divergent views on reunification. The two countries had been engaged in a series of negotiations since 2000 but had not made much progress towards achieving peace on the Korean peninsula. In addition to its strained relationship with the US and South Korea, North Korea also maintained tense relations with Japan due to their ongoing dispute over Japanese citizens abducted by North Korean agents during the Cold War period. In 2008, Japan imposed economic sanctions against Pyongyang in response to their refusal to address this issue. Finally, China was seen as one of the key players in resolving tensions between North Korea and other countries due to its close economic ties with Pyongyang and its role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Despite China’s close ties with Pyongyang, it maintained friendly relations with other countries in East Asia such as South Korea and Japan while also supporting efforts towards peace on the Korean Peninsula through diplomatic channels such as six-party talks which began in 2003 but have yet to reach a resolution on all issues related to denuclearization and security guarantees for all parties involved. Check payhelpcenter for North Korea in 2008.