Here are some facts about Bosnia-Herzegovina.
- Bosnia-Herzegovina is a small country in southeast Europe, created when Yugoslavia split up into several countries. It covers about 51,000 square km and has a population of 3.8 million.
- Bosnia-Herzegovina was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the 15th to the 19th centuries. After World War I, it became part of Yugoslavia, declaring its independence in 1992.
- It is bordered by Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro.
- The country is mostly mountainous and forested, and is landlocked except for a 20 km coastline on the Adriatic Sea.
- Bosnia-Herzegovina has become one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world. It has been voted a top mountain biking destination and is also popular for winter sports.
- Medjugorje is Europe’s third most visited religious site. Mary, Mother of Jesus is said to have appeared there many times, and strange apparitions can often be seen in the sky.
- Mostar is a popular tourist destination. Its most famous landmark is the Old Bridge, built in the 16th century, destroyed in the 1990s Bosnian War and rebuilt in 2004.
- Sarajevo is the capital and largest city, with about 600,000 people. It was besieged for over 4 years during the Bosnian War of 1990s, one of the longest sieges of modern times.
- The Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was killed in Sarajevo in 1914, leading to World War I.
- It was also the first European city to have a network of electric trams, in 1885.
- The Bosnian Pyramids are a cluster of hills about 210 metres in height. Some archaeologists believe they are man-made by people who lived in the area up to 14,000 years ago.
- Bosnian cuisine is similar to Greek and Turkish food and uses many spices. Coffee drinking is part of daily life and Bosnia-Herzegovina is one of the top 10 coffee drinking countries in the world.
