LocationSoutheastern Europe.
Area51,129 sq km (19,741 sq miles).
Population4 million (2005 estimate).
Population Density88.8 per sq km.
CapitalSarajevo.
Population: 420,000 (2005 estimate).
GovernmentParliamentary democracy. Under the terms of the 1995 Dayton Peace agreement, Bosnia & Herzegovina consists of two entities:
Federacija Bosne i Hercegovine (the Federation of Bosnia & Herzegovina) and
Republika Srpska (the Serbian Republic). Each has its own president, although
there is also a three-member rotating presidency, elected every four years. The presidency then appoints a chairman of the council of Ministers. A central government, based in Sarajevo, is responsible for national functions including foreign, external trade and finance policies. Two thirds of the seats in the national assembly are reserved for Federation candidates and one third for Serbs. In addition,
Republika Srpska elects its own president and national assembly, while the Federation elects a national assembly.
LanguageThe official languages are Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian. The Croats and Bosniaks use the Latin alphabet, whereas the Serbs use the Cyrillic.
Religion40% Muslim, 31% Orthodox, 15% Roman Catholic, 4% Protestant and 10% other denominations and religions.
TimeGMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are in use.
Head of GovernmentPrime Minister Nikola Spiric since 2007.
Head of StateThe presidency of Bosnia & Herzegovina consists of two members and one chairperson: one Bosniak, one Serb and one Croat. Current members and chairman are: Haris Silajdic, Nebojsa Radmanovic and Zeljko Komsic, all since 2006. The chair rotates every eight months.
Recent HistoryThe first set of post-war elections under the terms of the Dayton Accord took place in October 1996. These brought victories for the main nationalist parties representing each of the three communities – the Party of Democratic Action (KCD) for the Muslims, the Croat Democratic Party (HDZ) and the Serb Democratic Party (SDS). These have since remained the dominant political forces in their respective territories, despite none-too-subtle efforts by the international community to promote more moderate political forces, which it is hoped will eventually guide the country towards reunification and ultimately NATO and EU membership.
At the 2000 polls, effective opposition parties did emerge for the first time on both sides –
Sloga on the Serb side mounted a serious challenge to the SDS, while in the Muslim-Croat Federation, the Croat Social Democratic Party did likewise to the Croat HDZ. The KCD remained pre-eminent as the main representative party of the Muslim population. However, the polls in October 2002, reaffirmed the dominant position of the three main nationalist parties – the SDS governs
Republika Srpska while the KCD is the largest single party in the Muslim-Croat Federation. There has been some friction within the Federation but so far it has held together as a political entity. The 2002 elections were also notable for the fact that they were the first to have been organized domestically; previous polls had been administered and supervised by the international community.
There was evidence of possible corruption from the Croat member of presidency, Covic, but he was promptly sacked by High Representative Paddy Ashdown in 2005.
The most recent administration, run by Prime MInister Spiric, is the first to run Bosnia without international supervision since the end of the 1992-95 war.
TelephoneCountry code: 387.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is average.
InternetAvailable in some towns. There are few Internet cafes; however, hotels might provide facilities.
MediaSince the war in Bosnia & Herzegovina, the media is no longer steeped in propaganda, but it is still only partially free, with journalists under pressure from state bodies and political parties to somewhat censor their content. This is thanks to the 1995 Dayton Peace Accord efforts, although this has had limited success.
The most influential broadcasters are the public radio and TV stations operated by the Bosnian Muslim-Croat and Serb entities. A national public broadcasting service is now in development.
PostNormal post takes approximately one week to reach its destination, while heavier packages could take up to 10 days. Coins, bank notes, precious metals and stones, narcotics, alcohol, firearms and ammunition are not permitted to be sent by mail.
Post office hours: Generally Monday to Friday 1000-1700.
Press• The main newspaper for the Federation of Bosnia & Herzegovina,
Dnevni avaz, is published in Sarajevo.
• Serbian newspapers include
Nezavisne novine, published in Banja Luka.
•
Dnevni list and the weekly
Hratska rijec are Croatian-language papers, published in Banja Luka and Sarajevo, respectively.
Radio• Public Broadcasting Service of Bosnia Herzegovina is a state-wide public broadcaster, operating
BH Radio 1.
• Radio FBiH is a public radio service of Bosnian Muslim-Croat entity.
•
Serf Republic Radio TV operates a public radio service of Bosnian Serb entity.
• Bosanska Radio Mreza is a private network, as are
BM Radio (Zenica-based) and
Radio Stari Grad (Sarajevo-based).
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6-7 Jan Orthodox Christmas.
14-15 Jan Orthodox New Year.
27 Jan St Sava's Day.
1 Mar Independence Day.
10-13 Apr Easter.
1 May Labor Day.
15 Aug Velika gospa (Western Christian Assumption).
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
25 Nov National Statehood Day.
25 Dec Christmas.
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6-7 Jan Orthodox Christmas.
14-15 Jan Orthodox New Year.
27 Jan St Sava's Day.
1 Mar Independence Day.
2-5 Apr Easter.
1 May Labor Day.
15 Aug Velika gospa (Western Christian Assumption).
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
25 Nov National Statehood Day.
25 Dec Christmas.
NoteIn addition to the above dates, the government of Bosnia & Herzegovina has decided to allow its citizens two working days per year to fulfil their religious needs. These days are not considered official holidays and the measure has been introduced to respect the religious and ethnic diversity of the country.
Contact Information:Tourism Association of Bosnia & HerzegovinaBranilaca Sarajeva st 21/II, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Tel: (33) 252 924.
Website:
www.bhtourism.ba Embassy of Bosnia & Herzegovina in the UK5-7 Lexham Gardens, London W8 5JJ, UK
Tel: (020) 7373 0867.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; Mon-Fri 1000-1300 (consular section, personal callers).
Embassy of Bosnia & Herzegovina in the USA2109 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA
Tel: (202) 337 1500
or 6473/9 (consular section).
Website:
www.bhembassy.org
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