Chungcheong (Korean: ) is one of the eight provinces of Korea. It is located in the southwest of the country. The provincial capital is located at Gongju, which was the capital of the Kingdom of Baekje from 475 to 538. Chungcheong Province was formed in 1356 from the southern portion of the former province of Yanggwang. Its name was derived from the names of the principal cities of Chungju and Cheongju. In 1895, the province was replaced by the Districts of Chungju in the east, Gongju in the centre, and Hongju in the west. In 1896, Chungju and eastern Gongju were reorganized into North Chungcheong Province, and Hongju and western Gongju were reorganized into South Chungcheong Province. In 1948, the provinces were merged to reform the province of Chungcheong. The city of Daejeon was split from the province as a Special City.