Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina, often abbreviated as Bosnia, is a country situated in Southeast Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Croatia to the north and west, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast. Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of the country.
Historical Context
The region that is now Bosnia and Herzegovina has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age. The Ottoman Empire ruled the area from the 15th century until the Austro-Hungarian Empire took control in 1878. Following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Bosnia became part of the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, later known as Yugoslavia.
In the early 1990s, as Yugoslavia began to dissolve, Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence. This led to the Bosnian War, a conflict characterized by ethnic violence among Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs, which lasted from 1992 until 1995.
Geography
Bosnia and Herzegovina features a diverse landscape, characterized by rugged mountains, large forested areas, and a small access point to the Adriatic Sea. The country is divided into two main regions: Bosnia, the northern and central part, and Herzegovina, the southern part. It has a border of 932 km with Croatia, and shares land boundaries with Serbia and Montenegro.
Demographics and Ethnic Groups
The population is predominantly composed of three main ethnic groups: Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs, which are considered constituent peoples. Each group has its own cultural and religious identity, with Islam, Roman Catholicism, and Eastern Orthodoxy being the major religions.
Culture
Bosnia and Herzegovina is known for its rich, multicultural heritage, influenced by the overlapping of different civilizations throughout history. The cultural landscape includes a mix of eastern and western influences, seen in its art, music, and architecture. The city of Mostar, with its iconic Stari Most bridge, symbolizes the unity and diversity of its people.
Political Structure
The country is governed under the Dayton Agreement, which ended the Bosnian War and established a complex political structure. It consists of two entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska, as well as the Brčko District, a self-governing administrative unit.
Economy
Bosnia and Herzegovina has a developing economy, with industries like metal, energy, textiles, and tourism playing significant roles. The country is an aspiring candidate for European Union membership.