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Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is the heart shaped land that lies in the heart of southeast Europe. It is here that eastern and western civilizations met, sometimes clashed, but more often enriched and reinforced each other throughout its long and fascinating history.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a long name for a country that measures just over 50,000 km2. Bosnia covers the north and centre of the country with its name probably derived from 'bosana', an old Indo-European word meaning water, which Bosnia has no short of.

The southern region of ancient Hum, ruled by Herceg Stjepan (Duke Stjepan),was later named Herzegovina after the region was conquered by the invading Ottomans. Perhaps what is most important for the visitor to know today, though, is that Bosnia and Herzegovinais a stunningly beautiful country with a vast array of landscapes, cultures, traditions and people. And as the old cliche goes 'people make the place' - and BiH prides itself on its hospitality and treating our guests as if they were family members. And family we take to heart.

Location

Bosnia map

Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, between Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro.

Basic Information

Government type: emerging federal democratic republic

Capital: Sarajevo



Administrative divisions:
2 first-order administrative divisions and 1 internationally supervised district* - Brcko district (Brcko Distrikt)*, the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska

Executive Branch:
chief of state: Chairman of the Presidency
head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairman; approved by the state-level House of Representatives

Legal System:based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Population: 4,613,414 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119

Ethnic Origin: Bosniak 48%, Serb 37.1%, Croat 14.3%, other 0.6% (2000)

Area total: 51,197 sq km
country comparison to the world: 128
land: 51,187 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Coastline: 20km

Natural Resources:coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, cobalt, manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand, forests, hydropower

Climate

Due to its unique geographic positioning, Bosnia and Herzegovina is ideal for multi-season visits. Our climate suites every type of tourist, from sun seekers on the Adriatic Coast to white powder skiers we've got the best of both worlds.

The Mediterranean and Alpine influences meet and create a mosaic of climate types within a relatively small area. The southenjoys warm, sunny and dry weather, with very mild winters. In the more continental areas the weather is similar to that of central Europe – hotsummers, cool springs and autumns, and cold winters with considerablesnowfall. The Mediterranean and continental climates meet in the middle, creating one of the most diverse eco-systems in Europe. The mountains create a climate of their own. The Alpine climate rulesthe mountain terrains of the high Dinarics above 1700 meters. The wintersthere are extremely cold, with temperatures well below zero for more thansix months of the year.

Customs

Imports:
Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into Bosnia Herzegovina without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 20 cigars or 200g of tobacco; 1l of wine or spirits; 1 bottle of perfume; gifts to the value of &Euro;76.70.

Customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export of items such as firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, business equipment and other items .
 

Official Holidays

New Year  01 January
Orthodox Christmas 07 January
Independence Day 01 March
Catholic Easter 12 Apri
Orthodox Easter 19 April
Labor Day 01 May
Muslim R. Bajram 20 September
National Day 25 November
Muslim K.
Bajram
27 November
Christmas Day 25 December

Essential contacts

National Tourism
Organisation

Branilaca Sarajeva 21/II
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Phone : +387 (0)33 252 900
Fax :      +387 (0)33 252 901

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

www.bhtourism.ba/eng/


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Currency

Albanian curency

Originally, the KM was pegged to the German mark. With the introduction of the Euro, the KM changed its peg without the least bit of trouble (1.95 KM for 1 Euro). Most shops will accept payment in Euro bills, using a 1 to 2 ratio. There are many ATM machines in all major towns and cities. US dollars, British pounds, Yens and other major currencies can be exchanged at the banks and exchange offices that are present in most major towns.

Top three cities

 

Sarajevo: population 309 418

Sarajevo is a city in which even strangers can feel at home. Neither geographically expansive nor characterised by large buildings, the city retains a particular, arresting charm with its abundance of busy café's and abiding tradition of hospitality.
Indeed, few places on earth feature an Orthodox and a Catholic church, a mosque and a synagogue within easy walking distance of each other. Here the Byzantine and Ottoman empires of the east and the Roman, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian empires of the west left an indelible mark through culture, traditions and religions.A walk through Sarajevo is a walk through its past.

 

Banja Luka: population  228 645

Banja Luka is the administrative capital of the Republika Srpska, the second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina and by far the largest city in the northwest. The city lies on the Vrbas River, one of the most beautiful mountain rivers, and is well-known as the city of greenery, namely it is full of tree-lined avenues, boulevards, gardens and parks. The city and surrounding area have a number of popular tourist attractions. There are numerous cultural and historic monuments; one of the most famous among them is the Kastel fort, situated in the very city center.

 

Mostar: population 69 838

Mostar is located in southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the main regional road M17, 60 km away from Adriatic coast. It is situated under mountains Velez, Hum and Cabulja, in the valley of Neretva river  at 60 to 80 meters above sea level.
Mostar is famous as an important touristic destination with a large number of cultural-historical monuments, among them the Old Bridge, built in 1566. The historic town of Mostar is the most beautiful town in Bosnia and Herzegovina; the Old Bridge Area and Mostar’s old town were proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Passport/Visa

Bosnia and Herzegovina can only be entered with a valid passport. EU, American and Canadian citizens do not require a visa to enter the country. Most other people do need a visa, and getting one is possible through the Bosnian embassies in your respective countries. Fees for visas issued by diplomatic/consular offices: 

• Single entry-exit visas and transit visas 31.00 EUR
• Multiple entry-exit visas for periods up to 90 days 57.00 EUR 
• Multiple entry-exit visa for periods over 90 days 72.00 EUR 

Officially, people who enter the country on a visa need to register themselves with the police within 24 hours after their arrival in the country. If you enter Bosnia and Herzegovina by car, you will have to buy vehicle insurance at the border if your country's insurance policy does not cover BiH. It is better to check before departing. It is an uncomplicated and fairly inexpensive affair. You do not need this insurance if you have a green card that covers Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Language

Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian

Time zone

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Health and safety

The chance of getting one of the standard travelers' illness' is very slight, as drinking water throughout the country is excellent and food hygiene is good. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina has no legal requirements for vaccinations. To find a pharmacy, ask for 'apoteka'. In major centers, there are many of them, and there is usually at least one that is open 24 hours a day. These pharmacies will generally have all regular prescription drugs readily available. In villages and smaller towns, you may not find a pharmacy at all. If you do find one, it may not stock what you need. There are many public health clinics in Bosnia and Herzegovina and some very good doctors in most towns. It is advised to contact your embassy if you need medical attention, as embassies usually have lists of doctors they have good experiences with. 

SAFETY

Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the safest places in Europe. Violent crime is virtually non-existent. For men and women alike, walking the streets of any town or city at any time of day or night is a relatively safe bet.

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The information on this site was gathered through our journalists and various source(s) of information including the national tourism organization,
the ministry of finance, the ministry of foreign affairs, CIA World Factbook, and US State Department.