Bosnia Herzegovina

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Bosnia and Herzegovina, where people from different religious and ethnic groups have lived together for centuries, is an important example with this feature, while the capital Sarajevo, where mosques, churches and synagogues are side by side, is described as the "Jerusalem of Europe".

Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the bloody war, massacre, genocide and torture were experienced between 1992-1995, had one of the most complex political systems in the world with the constitution written according to the Dayton Peace Agreement. Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats, who fought each other in the war, had to live, work and even rule the country with the new system. Although more than 20 years have passed since the war, ethnic tensions still exist in the country from time to time.

General Information

Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the seven countries that gained their independence after the collapse of the former Yugoslavia, is located in the middle of the Western Balkans. Neighboring Croatia to the north and west, Serbia to the east and Montenegro to the south, the country has a population of 3 million 531 thousand 159 according to the last census in 2013. Bosnians make up the most populous ethnic group in Bosnia and Herzegovina with 50.11 percent. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has an area of ​​51,197 square kilometers, three almost identical official languages ​​(Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian) are used.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, which came under Ottoman protection in 1463 during the reign of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, remained under Ottoman patronage until 1878. Later, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, then Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was part of Yugoslavia, declared its independence in 1992 under the leadership of the late Aliya Izetbegovic.

The war that started after the declaration of independence continued for three and a half years. During the war, Serbian forces carried out massacres, tortures and rapes of Muslim Bosniaks in several cities. The historic Mostar Bridge, which is also one of the symbols of the country, was destroyed by the Croats. Especially in the south and west, many Bosniaks were massacred by the Croats, torture was carried out in concentration camps. In the last year of the war, the murder of more than 8 thousand Bosniak Muslims by the soldiers under the leadership of Serb commander Ratko Mladic in Srebreniça, which was declared a safe zone by the UN, was remembered as the most painful trace of the war. The war officially ended with the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement on December 14, 1995.

While continental climate is experienced in the central and northern parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Mediterranean climate is observed in the south. Bosnia and Herzegovina is also extremely rich in natural resources. Bosnia and Herzegovina, where an important Ottoman heritage is still standing, attracts Turkish tourists.

Economy

Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is among the developing countries, has a gross domestic product of $ 16 billion according to 2015 data. Annual income per capita in the country is 4 thousand 500 dollars. Bosnia and Herzegovina's exports were 5 billion dollars and imports were 9 billion dollars in 2016, with a growth rate of 3.1 percent. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, inflation was 1 percent and unemployment was 43.9 percent in 2016.

Political Situation

Bosnia and Herzegovina, officially one of the six federal republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, gained its independence with the referendum held in 1992. Following the declaration of independence, after the war in 1992-1995, the Dayton Peace Agreement was signed between the conflicting parties, Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats. According to the treaty, the Peace Implementation Council, which was the pioneer of peace in the country, was established. In addition, the post of High Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina was appointed.

According to the constitution created in line with the Dayton Peace Treaty, the highest authority of the state is the Presidential Council, which consists of Bosniak, Serbian and Croatian members. The members, elected for 4 years, take on the duty of the Council President on a rotating basis every 8 months. Finally, in the 2014 election, Bosniak member Bakir Izetbegovic, Serbian member Mladen Ivanic and Croatian member Dragan Covic are the 3 current members of the council.

At the state level there is also a Council of Ministers (government) and 2 parliaments. The 15-seat National Assembly, whose members are only Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats, as well as the 42-seat House of Representatives functions as the state-level legislature.

Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is the transition point of culture and civilization, was reborn from its ashes after the civil war it lived and again found its place among the favorite tourism routes with all its beauty. Bosnia and Herzegovina crowning its environmental and historical riches with its hospitality enables tourists to leave their home countries happily. If you want to have an unforgettable Balkan country holiday, you can visit Bosnia and Herzegovina.

General Information About Bosnia and Herzegovina

Language Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian

Its Capital is Sarajevo

Southeast Europe

Local Time GMT + 2

Currency Of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Socket Type C, F

Annual Average Temperature 15 ° C

Climate Mediterranean and Terrestrial

Area 51.197 km²

Vegetation Forest

Area Code +387

Language

Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian are used as official languages in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian ethnic groups live. Since the number of English speakers in the country is quite high, foreign tourists can communicate easily.

The capital

Sarajevo, known as the Ottoman city, is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Local time

GMT + 2 hours using the slice of Bosnia and Herzegovina is 1 hour behind from Turkey.

Currency

The Bosnia and Herzegovina Mark is valid as the currency in the country. 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina Mark is approximately equal to 3 TL (2019).

Area

The total surface area of ​​Bosnia-Herzegovina, where 82% is Bosnia and 12% is Herzegovina, is 51,197 km².

Where is Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Located in the southeastern part of the European continent, Bosnia-Herzegovina is located in the northwest of the Balkan peninsula. Bosnia and Herzegovina is surrounded by Serbia in the east, Montenegro in the southeast, and Croatia in the north and west. There is also a 20 km long coastline in the country's Adriatic Sea.

When to go to Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Bosnia-Herzegovina, which lives July and August with an average of 39 ° C, sees -25 and -30 in winter. Although the southwestern part of the country is generally under the influence of the Mediterranean climate, so it is milder, it will be appropriate for those who plan a comprehensive trip in Bosnia-Herzegovina in spring or autumn.

How to Get to Bosnia and Herzegovina?

You can choose the airline for transportation to Bosnia-Herzegovina in a short time and for comfortable transportation. You can reach Sarajevo with direct flights from Istanbul, and flights from other cities to Istanbul. Transportation from Istanbul to Sarajevo International Airport takes approximately 55 minutes.

Transportation Opportunities in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Transportation between Bosnia and Herzegovina cities and neighboring countries is provided by train or bus. You can have a worry-free and comfortable journey as you can find regular flights when moving from one city to another. In addition, urban transportation in the country is also highly developed. Since the places to visit in Sarajevo, the capital city of the country, are gathered in one region, you can continue your trip on foot or reach different regions by tram, bus or taxi.

Transportation From Sarajevo International Airport

Sarajevo International Airport is only 6 km from the city center. You can use bus, taxi or car rental services to reach this short distance.

The buses at the airport run 16 times in total between 5.30-22.15. The arrival route of the buses is Bascarsija, the center of Sarajevo. Likewise, you can reach the airport by buses departing from Başçarşı.

Taxis located at terminal B of the airport provide fast access to any desired route. It takes about 20 minutes to get to the city center by taxis working on fixed tariffs.

Places to Visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina

When it comes to tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the cities of Sarajevo and Mostar come to mind. While drifting into the experiences in these cities where history and nature are intertwined, you may be familiar with the culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sarajevo

Sarajevo, which has witnessed many civilizations, is the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The city is also considered to be one of Europe's most interesting cities; because it was synthesized with eastern and western cultures, and gained a fascinating cultural richness. With mosques on one side and churches on the other, you can see the ruins of the war, museums and many other valuable buildings in this city where every religion and culture is lived at once.

Mostar

Mostar is the largest city in the region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostar Bridge, one of the most special symbols of the city and connecting the two sides of the city, also hosts the magnificent view of the Neretva River. The bridge, which was first started to be built by Architect Hayreddin, a student of Mimar Sinan, with the order of Suleiman the Magnificent, was later rebuilt even though it was destroyed during the civil war. After long-term efforts to restore its former beauty, the bridge has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Mostar Bridge preserves its value among must-see places with its historical value and impressive beauty.

After the Mostar Bridge, you can continue your visit with the Herzegovina History Museum, Koski Mehmet Pasha and Karagöz Bey Mosque, Müslüm Bey Mansion, Biscevica House, Bakırcılar Bazaar, Blagay Tekke and Tara Tower.

Where to Stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Almost everyone who visits Bosnia-Herzegovina favors Sarajevo or Mostar cities. There are many accommodation options in these cities, which host many local and foreign tourists, from historical buildings to five-star hotels. The places where the hotels where you can have affordable and quality accommodation are predominant are the city centers; Because the places to visit in these cities are generally within walking distance to the city center. While the accommodation options in Sarajevo are concentrated in the Bascarsija Region; In Mostar, accommodation options are gathered around the Mostar Bridge.

If you will stay in areas such as Tuzla, Banja and Travnik, which are located far from Sarajevo, you can easily reach the capital by tram or bus.

What and Where to Eat in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

In the country where eastern and western cultures are blended, the cuisine culture has also been shaped and enriched with this synthesis. Special tastes of Bosnia-Herzegovina cuisine, where everyone can find something for their taste, and Sarajevo restaurants where you can find these special tastes;

Cevabi: Cevabdzinica Hodzic (Başçarşı shops)

Pite (Bosnian Pastry): Pekara Edin

Trileçe: Nebo Cafe (Başçarşı shops)

Klepe: Avlija

Bey Soup: Pod Lipom

Stuffed Rice: Dzenita

Bosanski Lonac: Inat Kuca

What Gift to Buy from Bosnia and Herzegovina?

If you want to buy gifts unique to Bosnia and Herzegovina, you can find different types of gifts you are looking for in every corner of the shop. If you want to choose delicious gifts, you can choose from Bosnia and Herzegovina's coffee and coffee cups, dried meats, vegetable powder and various spices.

You can find many special products you are looking for in Bascarsija and Coppersmiths Bazaar in Sarajevo. If you want to buy country-specific flavors, you can visit the Gradska Trznica and the Pijaca Markale markets.

In Mostar, there are everything from copper and silver embroidery to local clothing in the public markets that you will encounter in many streets.

Things You Should Know Before Traveling to Bosnia-Herzegovina

There are many Turkish banks in Sarajevo.

Sarajevo is the place where the first tramway trip was made in Europe.

Smoking is free everywhere, on and off. Therefore, you can be exposed to cigarette smoke in closed areas.

Sarajevo is famous for its historic tram line.

Sarajevo Film Festival is one of the most important festivals of the Balkans and South West Europe.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Nightlife

The streets of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are lively during the day, maintain their colorful and active at night. Especially in Sarajevo, there are many places where you can find the entertainment you are looking for. While you can relieve the tiredness of the whole day in the cafes in Bar Street, you can have fun until the first lights of the morning in the places that are not like the nightclubs in metropolitan cities. You will see that in touristic cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina such as Sarajevo and Mostar, the people fill all entertainment places on the weekend. In addition, Bosnia-Herzegovina nightlife is one of the preferred routes with affordable prices.

The regions in Sarajevo where places are concentrated and preferred by tourists; Zelenih Beretk and Muvekita streets.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Official Holidays

Eid al-Fitr (The date varies.)

Eid al-Adha (The date varies.)

Easter (The date varies.)

Independence Day (March 1)

National State Day (25 November)

Festivals in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Children's Festival (April)

Kozara Ethno Festival (July)

Sarajevo Film Festival (August)

Sarajevo Jazz Festival (November)

MESS International Theater Festival (in Autumn)

National symbol of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zlatni Ljiljan

that is, GOLDEN ZAMBAK.

Bosnia takes its name from "Horion Bosana". It means the region with good people in the old language. It is also said that the name "Bosnia" comes from BOSANA, which means water in the Indian European language.

Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of two sub-states; Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is the 10th country with the highest coffee consumption in the world.

The first tram service in Europe took place in Sarajevo (Sarajevo), the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 1885.

The conversion of Bosnian Christians to Islam, which started in Jajce under the influence of the Ottoman rule of Bosnia, has gone down in history as an important and surprising phenomenon in European history.

Perucica Forest is one of Europe's rainforests and the last remaining primitive forests. In addition, the tallest Norwegian Spruce is also found in this forest.

It is claimed that there are pyramids in the city of Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Due to the light heart shape of the country, the country is also called 'heart shaped country'. Bosnia and Herzegovina has 3 official languages; Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian. However, these 3 languages ​​are almost the same.

Sarajevo Film Festival is the largest and most important film festival in the Balkans and Southwest Europe.

Neum is the only city of Bosnia and Herzegovina with a coastline. The approximately 21-kilometer coastline here is the country's only exit point to the Adriatic Sea.

Danis Tanovic won an Oscar for "Best Foreign Language Film" in 2002 for his movie No Man's Land.

Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics.

Medjugorje (Mecugoriye) is a mountain town near Mostar. In this town in 1981, six children claimed to have seen the silhouette of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It has become a very popular and highly visited place among Catholic pilgrims after that period.