Country Information

Bosnia and Herzegovina (commonly abbreviated as BiH) is a sovereign state located in Southeast Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. It shares borders with Serbia to the east, Montenegro to the southeast, and Croatia to the north and southwest. The country also has a narrow stretch of coastline along the Adriatic Sea in the south. The northern and larger part of the country is traditionally referred to as Bosnia, while the southern and smaller region is known as Herzegovina. The capital and largest city is Sarajevo, a historical and cultural center of the region.

Bosnia and Herzegovina covers an area of 51,129 square kilometers and is geographically diverse, characterized by mountains, valleys, and rivers. The Dinaric Alps stretch along its western border, and the terrain is predominantly mountainous, particularly in the central and southern regions.

It consists of two autonomous entities—the Republic of Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina—as well as the Brčko District, a condominium that functions as a self-governing administrative unit under the sovereignty of the state. Bosnia and Herzegovina is governed by a rotating tripartite Presidency, composed of three members representing the country’s constituent peoples—a Serb, a Bosniak, and a Croat. Each member serves a four-year term, with the Chair of the Presidency rotating every eight months. This collective head of state primarily oversees foreign affairs. The Council of Ministers serves as the highest executive authority, with its chair nominated by the Presidency and approved by the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has been transitioning toward a market-oriented economy. It is a potential candidate for membership in the European Union. The country became a member of the Council of Europe on April 24, 2002, and is a founding member of the Union for the Mediterranean, established on July 13, 2008.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the official languages are Serbian, Bosnian, and Croatian.  Both the Latin and Cyrillic scripts hold official status throughout the country.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s rich cultural heritage, ethnic diversity, natural beauty, and resilient spirit continue to shape its development and its aspirations toward integration into the broader European and international community.