Pohang (Korean: 포항; Korean pronunciation: [pʰo.ɦaŋ]), formerly spelled Po-Hang, is the largest city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, with a population of 499,363 as of 2022, bordering the East Sea to the east, Yeongcheon to the west, Gyeongju to the south, and Cheongsong and Yeongdeok to the north.

Agricultural products such as grapes, persimmons and garlic chives are abundant, and the city's proximity to the East Sea has led to the development of a fishing industry.

The Korean Marine Corps 1st Division is stationed in Pohang, and their Education and Training Command is located there as well.

[2] The earliest evidence of human occupation in the Pohang area is from the Mumun Pottery Period (1500–300 BC).

Still a small fishing village at the dawn of the 20th century, the earliest steps toward developing Pohang into a place of greater significance were taken in 1930 with the construction of a modern harbour.

Pohang grew rapidly afterward, attaining the designation of town (eup) in 1931 and then earning the status of city (si) in 1949.

[3] Pohang's road arteries and shipping port made it a place of strategic significance during the Korean War.

[5] The next major development in Pohang's growth came in 1968 with the inauguration of the steel maker POSCO, and the local plant's commencement of production in 1972.

The introduction of heavy industry to the city brought the local economy to a blend of iron, steel, shipbuilding and fisheries through the end of the 20th century.

[3]The early 21st century and the age of globalization has brought new economic challenges to companies such as POSCO, giving rise to beliefs that Pohang would be wise to not be overly reliant on heavy industry to maintain its prosperity.

[8] In response, the Pohang of today presents itself as having an eye to the future, striving to become a diversified city of environmentalism and advanced learning, as well as a centre of arts and culture.

[9] During the Silla Dynasty the area was made up of four hyeon, Toehwa-hyeon (퇴화현; 退火縣), Jidap-hyeon (지답현; 只沓縣), Geunoji-hyeon (근오지현; 斤烏支縣), Haea-hyeon (해아현; 海阿縣).

Then during the Goryeo Dynasty these four were renamed to Heunghae-gun (흥해군/興海郡), Janggi-hyeon (장기현; 長鬐縣), Yeongil-hyeon (영일현; 迎日縣), Cheongha-hyeon (청하현; 淸河縣) respectively.

On 4 August 1896, the three remaining hyeon, which at that time were Janggi, Yeonil (연일; 延日; originally Yeongil) and Cheongha were reassigned as counties or gun as part of the change to the 13-province division of the Korean Empire.

On 1 April 1934, Jukbuk-myeon (죽북면; 竹北面) and Juknam-myeon (죽남면; 竹南面) were united to make Jukjang-myeon (죽장면; 竹長面), while Janggi-myeon (장기면; 長鬐面) and Bongsan-myeon (봉산면; 峰山面) united to make Jihaeng-myeon (지행면; 只杏面), so that there were 1 eup and 15 myeon.

On 15 August 1949, Pohang-eup was designated as Pohang-si (포항시; 浦項市), leaving Yeongil with 1 si, 1 eup, 13 myeon and 1 local office.

On 8 July 1956, Heunghae-myeon (흥해면; 興海面) and Gokgang-myeon (곡강면; 曲江面) are incorporated into Uichang-myeon (의창면; 義昌面) leaving 1 si, 1 eup and 12 myeon.

On 29 October 1957, Daljeon-myeon (달전면; 達田面) is abolished and incorporated into Heunghae-myeon and Yeonil-myeon (연일면; 延日面) leaving 1 si, 1 eup and 11 myeons.

On 1 July 1973, Uichang-myeon is designated as Uichang-eup (의창읍; 義昌邑) leaving 1 si, 2 eup, 10 myeon and 3 local offices.

On 1 January 1995, a united Pohang absorbs all of Yeongil-gun, composed of 1 si, 2 gu, 4 eup, 10 myeon, 25 dong and 1 local office.

On 1 September 1998, the unification of Small-dong left Pohang with 1 si, 2 gu, 4 eup, 10 myeon, 19 dong and 1 local office.

On 1 January 2009, the unification of Small-dong left Pohang with 1 si, 2 gu, 4 eup, 10 myeon, 15 dong and 1 local office.

There are two main bus terminals - Shiwae (시외) and Gosok (고속) which roughly translate into intercity/city and express.

The city is home to the headquarters and large production facilities of POSCO, one of the world's largest steelmakers.

The beach front has been the focus of commercial developments such as bars, restaurants, and budget accommodations called Yeogwan.

A number of beaches on the Sea of Japan can be found just north of the built-up area, including Chilpo and Wolpo.

Homigot, a point of land jutting out into the Sea of Japan, is located to the east of urban Pohang in Daebo-myeon.

Bogyeongsa is a major Buddhist temple nestled in a steep green valley at the foot of Mount Naeyeon (710m) in Songna-myeon, an area in the extreme northern part of Pohang.

Oeosa is a temple located in the extreme southern part of Pohang, just inside the mountains south of the coastal plain formed by the Naengcheon River.

Space Walk is a roller-coaster like walkable art installation design by German artists Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth and located in Hwanho Park.