Wikijunior:Europe/Bosnia Herzegovina

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Bosnia Herzegovina (also known as Bosnia & Hercegovina) is a country in southern Europe. It shares borders with Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro. Bosnia Hercegovina consists of two geographic regions - Bosnia (in the north, east and centre) and Hercegovina (in the south west). Bosnia Hercegovina is divided into two political states - the Federation of Bosnia Hercegovinia and Republika Srpska. People who live in Bosnia Hercegovina are called Bosniak (or Bosnian), Croatian or Serbian. The capital city is Sarajevo (capital of the whole country and the capital of the federation). Banja Luka is the capital of the Republika Srpska state. Other big cities in B&H are Mostar, Tuzla and Doboj. Bosnia Herzegovina is best known for the brutal conflict in the 1990s and its stunning scenery, cities and mix of different cultures.

[edit] History of Bosnia & Hercegovina

The Bosnian War between 1992 and 1995 killed around 110,000 people and devastated historic cities like Sarajevo and Mostar and continues to disrupt normal life today because of land mines and ruined houses which pose a hazard to citizens. To find out more about the Bosnian War read this Wikipedia article.

[edit] Geography of Bosnia & Hercegovina

[edit] People of Bosnia & Herzegovina

Due to the conflicts in the 1990s, the Bosnian people can be nationalistic and often claim to be Bosniak, Croatian or Serbian. The term 'Bosnian' usually describes people who are Bosniak (muslim).

B&H has 3 major religions. Islam is practiced by around 50% of the population. Christian Orthodox is practiced by around 30% of the population and by the majority living in Republika Srpska. Catholicism is practiced by around 20% of the population of B&H - mainly by Croatians.