Bosnia and Herzegovina Map

Bosnia-Herzegovina is an Eastern European nation, bordered by Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro, with a small portion of coastline along the Adriatic Sea, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) in length. Bosnia-Herzegovina covers an area of 51,197 square kilometers (19,741 square miles) and is part of the Balkan Peninsula, with two regions: Bosnia and Herzegovina. The population of Bosnia-Herzegovina is estimated at about 3,839,737. The capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina is Sarajevo, followed by Banja Luka.

In the sixth century AD, Bosnia-Herzegovina was settled by the Slavs and established as Bosnia, which would become the Kingdom of Bosnia in the fourteenth century. The Ottoman Empire later controlled Bosnia from the middle of the fifteenth century until the end of the nineteenth century, bringing the influence of the Ottoman culture and the religion of Islam. Bosnia was occupied by Austria-Hungary from 1878 and became part of it until the end of World War I, when it joined with neighboring regions to become Yugoslavia. Bosnia gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1992, but then faced the internal Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995. Bosnia was the site of much warfare throughout this time period, suffering much devastation to its cities and populations.

Bosnia-Herzegovina's historical connection with its neighbors, the other nations of former Yugoslavia, have led to the continued influence of these groups in Bosnia. There are three official languages of Bosnia-Herzegovina: Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian. These three ethnic groups, the Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs make up the vast majority of the population, with Bosniaks equaling about half of the total.

ACOD~20130214

Last Updated On : March 07, 2013