19 interesting facts about Bosnia and Herzegovina

The young Balkan state of Bosnia and Herzegovina appeared on the world maps relatively recently. Nevertheless, a unique culture has long been formed on these lands, for which tourists come here. Of course, BiH is not the most popular holiday destination, and the echoes of the socialist past still make themselves felt, but the country itself is extremely curious.

Facts about Bosnia and Herzegovina

1. The unemployment rate here is one of the highest in Europe.
2. The country was formed only in 1992, after the collapse of Yugoslavia.
3. About half of the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina are Bosniaks, the other half are Serbo-Croats.
4. During the existence of Yugoslavia, this republic was the poorest part of it. However, little has changed since then, and now BiH is one of the poorest countries in Europe, along with Albania (facts about Albania).
5. The constitution was adopted here only 3 years after gaining independence.
6. Bosnia and Herzegovina is actually divided in two, into Serbian and Bosnian parts. Even banknotes for both parts of the state are issued with different designs. Tensions are in the air in places, caused by differences in culture and religion.
7. The population of Bosnia and Herzegovina is 3.2 million.
8. Many buildings in the historic center of Sarajevo, the capital Bosnia and Herzegovina, were built back in those distant times, when these lands belonged to the Ottoman Empire.
9. Local money, convertible marks, is rigidly pegged to the euro at a rate of approximately 2 to 1.
10. Sarajevo hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics.
11. On the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina there are about 60 thousand stone tombstones made by Christians of the Middle Ages (facts about the Middle Ages).
12. In terms of coffee consumption per capita, this country is in the top 10 in the world.
13. The area of ​​the whole country is slightly inferior to the area of ​​the US state of Virginia.
14. Islam began to spread in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 15th century, after the capture of these lands by the Turks. Now Muslims and Christians in the country are approximately equal.
15. On the territory of this country are the last jungles in Europe. A real relic forest!
16. About 90% of all Bosnian land is occupied by mountains (facts about mountains).
17. The golden lily is considered the national symbol of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
18. Red footprints on Sarajevo streets – these are the so-called «Sarajevo roses». During the war of 1992-1995, shell craters were filled with red resin, and in some places it is still preserved.
19. Forests cover about half of all of Bosnia and Herzegovina.