DuckstersDucksters
History Biography Geography Science Games

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Country of Bosnia and Herzegovina Flag

Capital: Sarajevo

Population: 3,301,000

Brief History of Bosnia and Herzegovina:

The area that is currently the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina was once part of the Roman Empire. When the Roman Empire collapsed, the region eventually developed into the kingdom of Bosnia. In 1463, Bosnia was taken over by the Ottoman Turks.

The Turks ruled in Bosnia until the late 1800s when it became part of Austria-Hungary. In 1908, Austria-Hungary officially annexed Bosnia to become a part of their country. Some of the people in southern Bosnia did not want to be part of Austria-Hungary.

Soon WWI broke out. After the war Bosnia became part of Yugoslavia. Things did not get any better for the Bosnians. During WWII many Bosnians were killed and persecuted.

After WWII, Yugoslavia became a communist country. Josip Broz Tito was the original leader for many years. He was followed by Slobodan Milosevic in 1986. This was a terrible time for the country. The different ethnic groups within Yugoslavia began to war with each other. The Bosnians wanted their own country and declared their independence on April 5, 1992. They were recognized as a country by the United Nations a month later.

Today there are three main ethnic groups that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats. There are also three major languages including Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian.



Country of Bosnia and Herzegovina Map

The Geography of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Total Size: 51,129 square km

Size Comparison: slightly smaller than West Virginia

Geographical Coordinates: 44 00 N, 18 00 E

World Region or Continent: Europe

General Terrain: mountains and valleys

Geographical Low Point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

Geographical High Point: Maglic 2,386 m

Climate: hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast

Major cities: SARAJEVO (capital) 392,000 (2009), Banja Luka, Tuzla

The People of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Type of Government: emerging federal democratic republic

Languages Spoken: Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian

Independence: 1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for independence was completed 1 March 1992; independence was declared 3 March 1992)

National Holiday: National Day, 25 November (1943)

Nationality: Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s)

Religions: Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 14%

National Symbol: golden lily

National Anthem or Song: Drzavna himna Bosne i Hercegovine (The National Anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Major Industries: steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining

Agricultural Products: wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock

Natural Resources: coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, cobalt, manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand, forests, hydropower

Major Exports: metals, clothing, wood products

Major Imports: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs

Currency: marka (BAM)

National GDP: $31,570,000,000




** Source for population (2012 est.) and GDP (2011 est.) is CIA World Factbook.

Back to Geography Home Page



Ducksters Footer Gif with Ducks


About Ducksters Privacy Policy 

 

This site is a product of TSI (Technological Solutions, Inc.), Copyright 2024, All Rights Reserved. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use.