Bosnia and Herzegovina

A Crossroads of East and West – Diversity, Resilience, and Historical Depth

Bosnia and Herzegovina, often abbreviated as BiH, is a landlocked country in Southeastern Europe (the western Balkans), bordered by Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro, with a small Adriatic coastline near Neum. The country stands as a symbol of ethnic and cultural diversity, shaped by Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslav legacies.

Formation and Historical Background

  • Inhabited since ancient Illyrian times; later under Roman, then Ottoman Empire (1463–1878).

  • Ruled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1878–1918), then joined Yugoslavia.

  • Declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1992, followed by the Bosnian War (1992–1995).

  • The Dayton Peace Agreement (1995) ended the war, establishing a complex federal structure.

  • Aspiring member of the European Union; candidate status granted in 2022.

Administrative Information

Attribute Details
Country Name Bosnia and Herzegovina
Capital Sarajevo
Continent Europe (Southeastern / Balkans)
Official Languages Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Currency Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark (BAM)
Area Approx. 51,200 sq. km
Population Approx. 3.2 million (2025 est.)
Time Zone Central European Time (UTC+1), DST: UTC+2
ISO Code BA
Internet TLD .ba
Calling Code +387

Religious Affiliation (Estimated – 2025)

Religion Population Share
Islam ~51%
Christianity (Orthodox, Catholic) ~45%
Other / Unaffiliated ~4%

Government and Leadership

Position Current Officeholders (as of 2025)
Presidency (Tripartite) Denis Bećirović (Bosniak), Željka Cvijanović (Serb), Željko Komšić (Croat)
Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Borjana Krišto
Government Type Federal democratic republic under Dayton Accords
Legislature Parliamentary Assembly (House of Peoples & House of Representatives)
Judiciary Constitutional Court, Court of BiH, entity courts

Administrative Divisions (Entities & Cantons)

Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of two entities and one autonomous district:

  1. Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) – Majority Bosniak and Croat

  2. Republika Srpska (RS) – Majority Serb

  3. Brčko District – Self-governing, multi-ethnic neutral district under joint sovereignty

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is further divided into 10 cantons:

Canton (English) Local Name Capital
Una-Sana Unsko-sanski kanton Bihać
Posavina Posavski kanton Orašje
Tuzla Tuzlanski kanton Tuzla
Zenica-Doboj Zeničko-dobojski kanton Zenica
Bosnian-Podrinje Bosansko-podrinjski kanton Goražde Goražde
Central Bosnia Srednjobosanski kanton Travnik
Herzegovina-Neretva Hercegovačko-neretvanski kanton Mostar
West Herzegovina Zapadnohercegovački kanton Široki Brijeg
Sarajevo Kanton Sarajevo Sarajevo
Canton 10 (Livanjski) Hercegbosanska županija Livno

Local Government Structure

  • Entities and Brčko District have wide autonomy with their own parliaments and governments

  • Cantons in FBiH have their own governments, ministries, and education systems

  • Municipalities (općine/општине) and cities (gradovi) manage local affairs

  • Complex system reflects ethnic power-sharing and post-conflict governance

Leadership & Governance

2025 priorities include:

  • Judicial reform and EU integration process

  • Enhancing public services and corruption control

  • Ethnic reconciliation and education system unification

  • Digital infrastructure development through donor support

Law Enforcement & Safety

  • Fragmented police structure with entity-level police forces

  • State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) handles organized crime

  • Peacekeeping history through international presence (EUFOR Althea)

  • Urban areas relatively safe; political tensions remain in certain regions

Economy & Industry

  • Major sectors:

    • Metal and wood processing

    • Agriculture (plums, corn, livestock)

    • Tourism (heritage, nature)

    • Energy (hydropower, coal)

  • GDP (2024): Approx. USD 25 billion

  • GDP per capita: ~USD 7,800

  • Large diaspora remittances, and growing EU-accessed funds

Education & Institutions

  • Free and compulsory basic education (ages 6–15)

  • Higher education varies by entity and canton

  • Key universities:

    • University of Sarajevo

    • University of Banja Luka

    • University of Mostar

  • Challenges: divided curricula, lack of coordination, emigration of youth

Healthcare

  • Public healthcare system with entity-based management

  • Co-payment required for many services

  • Key hospitals:

    • Clinical Center Sarajevo

    • University Hospital Mostar

    • Banja Luka Clinical Center

  • Healthcare reform and digitalization in progress

Transport & Connectivity

  • Roads: Corridor Vc motorway connects Sarajevo–Mostar–Adriatic coast

  • Rail: Underutilized, limited modernization

  • Airports:

    • Sarajevo International Airport

    • Tuzla, Banja Luka, and Mostar regional airports

  • Public transport limited outside major cities

Tourism & Attractions

Historical & Cultural Sites:

  • Stari Most (Old Bridge) in Mostar

  • Baščaršija Market, Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, Sarajevo Tunnel Museum

  • Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslav architectural influences

Natural Beauty:

  • Una National Park, Sutjeska National Park, Kravica Waterfalls

  • Jahorina and Bjelašnica (ski resorts)

Culture & Lifestyle

  • Rich in Slavic, Ottoman, and Mediterranean fusion

  • Cuisine: ćevapi, burek, dolma, baklava, Bosnian coffee

  • Strong traditions in sevdalinka music, poetry, and storytelling

  • Celebrates multicultural coexistence, despite post-war challenges

Summary

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country of deep cultural mosaic, natural beauty, and post-conflict determination. With EU integration on the horizon, it continues to balance historic complexity with aspirations for unity, reform, and progress in the heart of the Balkans.