Bosnia and Herzegovina- Beautiful Country

If you want to know something about Bosnia and Herzegovina, you probably should know that Bosnia and Herzegovina is the heart shaped land that lies in the heart of southeast Europe. Here is eastern and western civilizations met, sometimes clashed, but more often enriched and reinforced each other throughout its long and fascinating history.

The northern and central part of the country is called Bosnia, and the name probably derives from the old Indo-European word “bosana” meaning water, which Bosnia no missing. The southern region of ancient Hum, ruled by Herceg Stjepan Kosaca, was later named Herzegovina after the region was occupied by the Ottoman conquerors.

Bosnia and Herzegovina borders with Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro. By its regulation is a complex federal state with elements of confederation; consists of two entities – the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Serbian Republic and the Brcko district. The capital is Sarajevo.  According to the census of 2013, there are approximately 3.8 million inhabitants in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Perhaps what is more important to visitors today is to know that Bosnia and Herzegovina is 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 B&H is prides on its hospitality and treating our guests as if they were family members.

Geographical Features

Most of the territory consists of mountains and high rocks, covered with forests and pastures. The highest peak is Maglic (2386 m). Lowlands are located in the north and the southwest. The lakes include Kukavicko Lake, Boracko Lake, Modracko Lake, etc. Busko Lake is the largest (artificial) lake in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the longest river is Bosna (which is located exclusively in B&H).

Geographical Location, Borders and Size of B&H

Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) is situated in the heart of South East Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It borders with Croatia on the north and west, and Serbia and Montenegro to the east.

The coastline that stretches along 20 kilometres to the south, offers the country’s access to the Adriatic Sea. B&H is largely part mountainous with the Dinaric Alps that stretch along the western border. On the north there is the fertile plain suitable for agriculture, along the border with the River Sava. Central, eastern and north-western parts of the country are rich in forests. Herzegovina, which is located in the south, is more the Mediterranean in character and climate.

Climate and Hydrological Characteristics

With regard to the specific geographical position and relief, the climate of Bosnia and Herzegovina is quite complex and may vary three separate parts, with more or less manifested boundary areas, as follows:

1. on the southwest – the Mediterranean, i.e. maritime climate,
2. in the middle part – Continental Mountain or alpine climate,
3. on the north – temperate continental, i.e. Central European climate.

Tourism

• Mountain: Olympic Mountains Bjelasnica, Jahorina, Igman and Trebevic, Vlasic near Travnik are great resources in function of development winter tourism and recreation.

• Thermal baths: spas in Ilidza near Sarajevo, Fojnica, Kiseljak, Tuzla, Olovo, Srebrenica, Visegrad and Teslic represent a wealth of radioactive thermal springs and mineral waters, which are still in the early historical period, were exploited for therapeutic purposes.

• Coastal: Neum with 270 sunny days a year is a Bosnian access to the Adriatic Sea and its environment (Mostar and Hutovo Blato in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ston in Peljesac Peninsula in Croatia) offers unique opportunities for rest and recreation.

• Religious: Medjugorje after the apparitions of the Virgin Mary has become a modern centre of religious tourism with its capacities, infrastructure and other facilities; Prusac, Jajce, and numerous religious and cultural monuments of the three religions (Islam, Catholicism, Orthodoxy), which, in this region, for centuries coexist in perfect harmony.

• Hunting and fishing: preservation of nature, the wealth of rivers, lakes and various species of wildlife are unique tourist attractions.

• Conference Tourism: Sarajevo, Zenica, Vitez, Tuzla, Bihac, Banja Luka, Mostar.

On the municipal territory of Zavidovici until today has found about 50 stone balls that are located on 11 different sites. The phenomenon of stone spheres is rare in the world. Except Costa Rica and Mexico, many are found in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The highest concentration, with more than 20 balls, was found in the village of Grab, 2 km from Zavidovici.