During the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BCE - 668 CE), Korea was divided between the Koguryo, Paekche and Silla. The Koguryo kingdom (37 BCE) stretching from the northern Korean Peninsula to Manchuria, was the first kingdom to adopt Buddhism in China. In the southwestern part of the peninsula, the Paekche kingdom (18 BCE) ruled and were in constant rivalry with the other two kingdoms of the period. The Silla Kingdom, which was established first in 57 BCE, was most powerful of the three and played a major role in developing Korea's cultural traditions. The Silla Kingdom was unique politically, socially, economically, and culturally. Geographically, the Silla Kingdom’s location on the coast bordering the Yellow Sea provided advantages against the
