About Bosnia.

If you have never been to Bosnia and Herzegovina, this small European country full of cultural differences, people who welcome you warmly and beautiful, untouched nature, then you definitely have to visit it. Let's get to know Bosnia a bit.

Official name: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Form of goverment: Democratic republic

Capital: Sarajevo

Important cities: Banja luka, Brcko

Population: 3,849,891

Official langues: Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian

Money: Convertible Mark (Euro is accepted almost everywhere)

Area: 51,197 square kilometers

Major moantain range: Dinaric Alps

Major rivers: Sava River, Neretva River

GEOGRAPHY:

Bosnia and Herzegovina is bordered by Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro, and has a narrow stretch of land along the Adriatic Sea.

The country consists of numerous mountains. The Dinaric Alps stretch along the western border. The mountainous areas are earthquake-prone. An earthquake in 1969 caused widespread building damage in the city of Banja Luka.

Forest covers half the land in Bosnia and Herzegovina and natural springs are found throughout the country.

PEOPLE & CULTURE:

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a diverse country made up of a mix of Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats, and people of other ethnicities who follow a mix of Muslim, Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and other faiths.

Family and friends play an important role for people in Bosnia and Herzegovina and hospitality is common. People often meet at local coffee shops or cafés, known as kafanes and kafićis.

(Small village Blagaj on Buna spring)

NATURE:

Around 40 percent of Bosnia and Herzegovina is covered in forest, consisting of oak, pine, and beech trees. Plums, grapes, pears, and apples are common in the country.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is abundant in wildlife, which includes bears, wolves, foxes, otters, and falcons.

A pilot project in the sustainable collection of wild plants in Bosnia and Herzegovina proved successful in 2009 with the possibility of its use as a model for conservation in other European countries.

7 interesting facts about Bosnia:

1. The name Bosnia comes from the Indo-Germanic word Bosana, which means water.

no wonder, because water is an important factor in Bosnia. The country is rich in beautiful rivers, lakes and waterfalls (one of them is over 300 meters high), as well as the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The second part of the name - Herzegovina - derives from Herceg Stjepan, a duke (herceg) from the Middle Ages.

2. Sarajevo hosted the Olympic Games in 1984

These Games are special because it was the first time that a socialist country hosted the Olympic Games. The organisers took full advantage of this opportunity, which resulted in many sports facilities being built at the time.

3. The first trams in Europe were used in Sarajevo from 1885

These means of public transport were pulled by animals - mostly horses, but mules were also used - which were usually harnessed in groups of two in front of the wagons.

Eleven years later, Sarajevo was the first city in Europe to have a fully electric tram line.

4. Bosnia and Herzegovina ranks 10th in the world in terms of coffee consumption

Bosnian coffee is part of the Bosnian identity. It is a symbol of the country and part of its tradition, but it reflects the gourmet mentality of the locals.

5. Bosnia and Herzegovina is the country that has more waterfalls than Italy, France and Germany combined

According to official data, there are about 202 waterfalls in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

6. Perućica is one of the last remaining rainforests in Europe

It is located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, near the border with Montenegro, and is part of the Sutjeska National Park. It is also the home to the tallest Norwegian fir tree, which is 63 metres high. In 1952, this forest area was declared a site to be scientifically researched and studied. It extends over 1291 hectares.

7. In the small town of Konjic, located by the Neretva River, there is a nuclear bunker known as the Atomic War Command, built during the revolution in Yugoslavia and under Josip Broz Tito

This shelter occupies an area of 6,500 square metres and consists of twelve interconnected blocks. It looks like a complicated labyrinth, with living areas, conference rooms, offices, strategic planning rooms and other functional areas. The construction and existence of this bunker was a secret until 1990, when it was finally revealed to the public. Today, this bunker houses an exhibition of contemporary art.