Identification Card of  BiH

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country in Southeastern Europe located within the Balkan Peninsula and is bordered on the north, west and southwest by the Republic of Croatia, on the east by the Republic of Serbia and on the southeast by Montenegro.  It has a narrow coast to the Adriatic Sea.

Probably the most distinctive feature among them all is astonishing beauty of Bosnia and Herzegovina with its vast array of natural landscapes, cultures, tradition and exceptionally hospitable people.     
Total area of the country is 51,197 km2 and the border is 1,543 km long. Total population is a bit less than 4 million inhabitants. The capital is Sarajevo. Currency is convertible mark (KM); 1 EUR=1.95 KM.
Bosna and Herzegovina has always been a meeting place of many civilizations and cultures and the territory of present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina was inhabited since the Neolithic age.  
Population of BiH is of Slavic origin. Slavic tribes arrived to the Balkan Peninsula in the 6th century. Indigenous Illyrian tribes blended into Slavic ethnic mass but the Illyrians left significant traces in cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In terms of culture, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a jewel of diversity and multiculturalism, the juncture where East meets and intertwines with West. In this unique European country, especially in its old cities, more often than not you will find mosques and synagogues, catholic and orthodox churches in the same street.

Archeological examinations confirm that organized tribal communities lived in this area more than 12, 000 years ago.
Various spiritual and cultural customs were foundations for development of Bosnia and Herzegovina as one of the countries with the greatest natural and cultural diversity in Europe.
Through generations, influenced by Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Western European influences, inhabitants of Bosnia and Herzegovina preserved the pride of various ethnic origins that are currently characteristic for this country. There are numerous anthropological and historic evidence for this: common language, common origins, similar folklore and centuries of shared harmonious life.

Destinations

Not so many people are familiar with all splendors of Bosnia and Herzegovina, its intact nature as well as numerous rivers and springs. A unique geographical location exposes BiH to warm Mediterranean climate on the south and fresh continental influences from the north that result in diverse flora and fauna, another unique feature of this country.

Kravice Waterfalls
 
Blagaj Tekke at the Buna wellspring
 
Kastel Fortress in Banjaluka

Mountainous areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina offer perfect conditions for development of winter tourism while access to the Adriatic coast provides opportunity to enjoy during summer season.
 
Town of Neum

Nevertheless, already mentioned location of the country offers even more possibilities to enjoy ecotourism, wellness and cultural tourism, visits to numerous national parks, enjoying rural tourism and gastronomic offer, water rafting on some among many clean and emerald-green rivers, visiting the Adriatic coast, enjoying local wine along well-known Herzegovina Wine Route, pilgrimage to Medugorje, visiting some of necropolis with stećci (medieval tombstones), attending movie screenings at the world-renown Sarajevo Film Festival or exploring some of the cities in BiH.

Stećci are old tombstones with various ancient inscriptions, symbols, epitaphs and verses about life, love, country, family, the Sun, the Moon, tribal warriors, dance and praising gods. These types of medieval tombstones are specific for this region. Many of these stećci are dating back to more than 800 years and preserve a precious part from the ancient past of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They cannot be found in other parts of the world because they are remnants of BiHžs history and a national symbol, the expression of culture and art that has survived and developed over the centuries. Stećci are monuments inscribed at the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Jahorina and Bjelašnica are two mountains in BiH where the 1984 Winter Olympic Games were held. Currently, these mountains are hosts to the best and most affordable skiing in all of Europe. We invite everyone to try skiing on those slopes and enjoy this magnificent mountain ambiance.

Mountainous terrain in BiH provides ideal conditions for sustainable tourism. Mountaineering and hiking, especially in mountain areas, and visiting some among many charming and remote villages represents a magical journey for beginners and professionals. Biking is also very popular as well as fishing, rafting, bird watching or wild herb picking.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has two more monuments inscribed at the UNESCO World Heritage List – Old Bridge in Mostar and the Bridge in Višegrad. 

Useful information 

Tourism Association of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina - http://www.bhtourism.ba/loc/
Tourist Association of the Republic of Srpska - http://turizamrs.org/
Commission to Preserve National Monuments http://www.kons.gov.ba/Language.aspx
Ministry of Civil Affairs of B&H – State Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina for UNESCO http://unescobih.mcp.gov.ba/Default.aspx?template_id=76&pageIndex=1
Currency Exchange - http://www.cbbh.ba/CurrencyExchange/
Visas for B&H - http://mvp.gov.ba/konzularne_informacije/vize/Default.aspx
Important telephone numbers:  
Information Center 121
Police 122
Fire Department 123
Ambulance 124

Virtual Bosnia and Herzegovina
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v50wJao-RC4