Bosnia and Herzegovina make up a triangular-shaped republic, about half the size of Kentucky, on the Balkan peninsula. The Bosnian region in the north is mountainous and covered with thick forests. The Herzegovina region in the south is largely rugged, flat farmland. It has a narrow coastline without natural harbors stretching 13 mi (20 km) along the Adriatic Sea.
Country lead by Presidency, Chairman of the (rotating): Borjana Kristo (2007)
Prime Minister: Nikola Spiric (2007)
Population
4,498,976 (all data dealing with population are subject to considerable error because of the dislocations caused by military action and ethnic cleansing) (growth rate: 1.4%); birth rate: 8.8/1000; infant mortality rate: 9.8/1000; life expectancy: 78.0; density per sq mi: 228
Land Area
19,741 sq mi (51,129 sq km)
Monetary unit
Marka Language
Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Ethnicity Bosniak 48%, Serb 37.1%, Croat 14.3%, other 0.6% (2000)
Religion Islam 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 14%
Transportation Railways: total: 1,021 km (electrified 795 km) (2004). Highways: total: 21,846 km; paved: 11,424 km; unpaved: 10,422 km (1999 est). Waterways: Sava River (northern border) open to shipping but use limited because of no agreement with neighboring countries (2004). Ports and harbors: Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, and Brcko (all inland waterway ports on the Sava), Orasje. Airports: 27 (2004 est.).
Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar