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` ``Oh, how beautiful are the mountains that erupt from this Earth of ours,`` sings the poet, Sin Seok-jeong. Numerous celebrated mountains are found in Korea, as two thirds of its land surface is comprised of mountainous areas. To introduce the majesty and beauty of Korean mountains, the Korea Post will issue the ``Celebrated Mountains of Korea Series`` during the next five years, and the first stamps of the series portray the breathtaking views of Mt. Halla-san. From the center of Jeju-do Island, the range of Mt. Halla-san stretches from east to west, with a steep southern portion and its northern part sloping gently. With whinstone widely covering the area, the highest mountain (1,950m above sea level) in South Korea is a dormant volcano and extends around 14.4km from east to west, and 9.8km from north to south, with its total area adding up to 153.386㎢. Baengnokdam (Volcanic Lake) Baengnokdam is a crater that was created as a result of volcanic eruptions. Reaching around 1,720m in circumference and about 110m in depth, the huge volcanic lake is filled with clean water at all times. The plateaus of the Baengnokdam area are protected as Korea`s Natural Monument No. 182 (Mt. Halla-san Natural Reserve) at which some 167 different species of alpine plants are found. Oreum (Parasitic Volcanos) In a dialect used on the island of Jeju-do, oreum refers to the small parasitic volcanos situated here and there along the foot of Mt. Halla-san, which were created by torrents of lava accumulating after volcanic eruptions. Traces of small and large volcanic craters can be found on top of most oreums. At present, about 368 oreums remain in the beautiful mountain of Halla-san. Obaegnahan (500 Buddhist Disciples) Obaegnahan signifies 500 saints who have gained the ultimate realization of Buddhism and, thus, are deemed worthy to be respected and receive offerings of food. It also refers to the Byeongpung (folding screen) Rocks, or what is better known as the Yeongsil (Valley of Taoist Hermits) Rocks which can be found along the hiking course of Mt. Halla-san. The grand and solemn view created by some 500 stone pillars standing side by side and stretching towards the skies will surely hypnotize the viewers to feel as if they were actually confronting the actual 500 Buddhist saints. Seonjakjiwat Seonjakjiwat is an alpine plain in Mt. Halla-san that is surrounded by the Witse Oreum (parasitic volcano) on one side and the Banga Oreum on the other. In the Jeju-do Island dialect, jakji refers to small rocks, and wat indicates a plain, which, in combination, signifies ``a plain with small rocks.`` The view of the alpine plain offers mystic beauty all year round and holds great significance in the research of Korean flora.`