Bosnia and Herzegovina




                                  Header


Note:
     Bosnia and Herzegovina is suffering from interethnic civil strife
     which began in March 1992 after the Government of Bosnia and
     Herzegovina held a referendum on independence. Bosnia's Serbs -
     supported by neighboring Serbia - responded with armed resistance
     aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining
     Serb-held areas to a "greater Serbia." Since the onset of the
     conflict, which has driven approximately half of the pre-war
     population of 4.4 million from their homes, both the Bosnian Serbs and
     the Bosnian Croats have asserted control of more than three-quarters
     of the territory formerly under the control of the Government of
     Bosnia and Herzegovina. The UN and the EU are continuing to try to
     mediate a plan for peace. In March 1994 Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian
     Croats signed an agreement in Washington, DC, creating a Federation of
     Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is to include territories in which
     Muslims or Croats predominated, according to the 1991 census. Bosnian
     Serbs refused to become a part of this Federation.


                                 Geography


Location:
     Balkan State, Southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula, between
     Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro
Map references:
     Africa, Arctic Region, Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe,
     Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
     51,233 sq km
land area:
     51,233 sq km
comparative area:
     slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
     total 1,459 km, Croatia 932 km, Serbia and Montenegro 527 km (312 km
     with Serbia; 215 km with Montenegro)
Coastline:
     20 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
     200-m depth
exclusive economic zone:
     12 nm
exclusive fishing zone:
     12 nm
territorial sea:
     12 nm




International disputes:
     as of May 1994, members of the Bosnian Serb armed factions, desirous
     of establishing a separate state linked with neighboring Serbia,
     occupied 70% of Bosnia after having killed or driven out non-Serb
     inhabitants; the Bosnian Croats, occupied and declared an independent
     state in an additional 10% of Bosnia in 1993, but in March 1994, this
     faction and the Bosnian Government settled their dispute and entered
     into a bicommunal Federation; a Bosnian Government army commander who
     opposes the leadership of Bosnian President IZETBEGOVIC is leading an
     insurrection in the government-held enclave of Bihac
Climate:
     hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool
     summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast
Terrain:
     mountains and valleys
Natural resources:
     coal, iron, bauxite, manganese, timber, wood products, copper,
     chromium, lead, zinc
Land use:
arable land:
     20%
permanent crops:
     2%
meadows and pastures:
     25%
forest and woodland:
     36%
other:
     17%
Irrigated land:
     NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
     air pollution from metallurgical plants; water scarce; sites for
     disposing of urban waste are limited; widespread casualties and
     destruction of infrastructure because of civil strife
natural hazards:
     subject to frequent and destructive earthquakes
international agreements:
     party to - Air Pollution, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer
     Protection


                                  People


Population:
     4,651,485 (July 1994 est.)
note:
     all data dealing with population is subject to considerable error
     because of the dislocations caused by military action and ethnic
     cleansing
Population growth rate:
     0.69% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
     13.33 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)




Death rate:
     6.39 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
     0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
     12.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
     75.13 years
male:
     72.43 years
female:
     78.02 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
     1.61 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
     Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s)
adjective:
     Bosnian, Herzegovinian
Ethnic divisions:
     Muslim 44%, Serb 31%, Croat 17%, other 8%
Religions:
     Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Catholic 15%, Protestant 4%, other 10%
Languages:
     Serbo-Croatian 99%
Literacy:
total population:
     NA%
male:
     NA%
female:
     NA%
Labor force:
     1,026,254
by occupation:
     agriculture 2%, industry, mining 45% (1991 est.)


                                Government


Note:
     The US recognizes the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The
     Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a new government being formed
     by the Muslims and Croats. On 31 May 1994 a Croat president, Kresimir
     ZUBAK, and a Muslim vice president, Ejup GANIC, were elected. Haris
     SILAJDZIC, who is prime minister of the Republic, is also the prime
     minister of the Federation.
Names:
conventional long form:
     Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
conventional short form:
local long form:
     Republika Bosna i Hercegovina




local short form:
     Bosna i Hercegovina
Digraph:
     BK
Type:
     emerging democracy
Capital:
     Sarajevo
Administrative divisions:
     109 districts (opstinas, singular - opstina) Banovici, Banja Luka,
     Bihac, Bijeljina, Bileca, Bosanska Dubica, Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanska
     Krupa, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Novi, Bosanski Petrovac, Bosanski
     Samac, Bosansko Grahovo, Bratunac, Brcko, Breza, Bugojno, Busovaca,
     Cazin, Cajnice, Capljina, Celinac, Citluk, Derventa, Doboj, Donji
     Vakuf, Foca, Fojnica, Gacko, Glamoc, Gorazde, Gornji Vakuf, Gracanica,
     Gradacac, Grude, Han Pijesak, Jablanica, Jajce, Kakanj, Kalesija,
     Kalinovik, Kiseljak, Kladanj, Kljuc, Konjic, Kotor Varos, Kresevo,
     Kupres, Laktasi, Listica, Livno, Lopare, Lukavac, Ljubinje, Ljubuski,
     Maglaj, Modrica, Mostar, Mrkonjic-Grad, Neum, Nevesinje, Odzak, Olovo,
     Orasje, Posusje, Prijedor, Prnjavor, Prozor, (Pucarevo) Novi Travnik,
     Rogatica, Rudo, Sanski Most, Sarajevo-Centar, Sarajevo-Hadzici,
     Sarajevo-Ilidza, Sarajevo-Ilijas, Sarajevo-Novi Grad, Sarajevo-Novo,
     Sarajevo-Pale, Sarajevo-Stari Grad, Sarajevo-Trnovo, Sarajevo-Vogosca,
     Skender Vakuf, Sokolac, Srbac, Srebrenica, Srebrenik, Stolac,
     Sekovici, Sipovo, Teslic, Tesanj, Drvar, Duvno, Travnik, Trebinje,
     Tuzla, Ugljevik, Vares, Velika Kladusa, Visoko, Visegrad, Vitez,
     Vlasenica, Zavidovici, Zenica, Zvornik, Zepce, Zivinice
note:
     currently under negotiation with the assistance of international
     mediators
Independence:
     NA April 1992 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday:
     NA
Constitution:
     promulgated in 1974 (under the Communists), amended 1989, 1990, and
     1991; the Assembly planned to draft a new constitution in 1991, before
     conditions deteriorated; constitution of Federation of Bosnia and
     Herzegovina (including Muslim and Croatian controlled parts of
     Republic) ratified April 1994
Legal system:
     based on civil law system
Suffrage:
     16 years of age, if employed;  18 years of age, universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
     President Alija IZETBEGOVIC (since 20 December 1990), other members of
     the collective presidency: Ejup GANIC (since NA November 1990), Nijaz
     DURAKOVIC (since NA October 1993), Stjepan KLJUJIC (since NA October
     1993), Ivo KOMSIC (since NA October 1993), Mirko PEJANOVIC (since NA
     June 1992), Tatjana LJUJIC-MIJATOVIC (since NA December 1992)
head of government:
     Prime Minister Haris SILAJDZIC (since NA October 1993); Deputy Prime
     Minister Edib BUKVIC (since NA October 1993)




cabinet:
     executive body of ministers; members of, and responsible to, the
     National Assembly
Legislative branch:
     bicameral National Assembly
Chamber of Municipalities (Vijece Opeina):
     elections last held November-December 1990 (next to be held NA);
     percent of vote by party NA; seats - (110 total) SDA 43, SDS BiH 38,
     HDZ BiH 23, Party of Democratic Changes 4, DSS 1, SPO 1
Chamber of Citizens (Vijece Gradanstvo):
     elections last held November-December 1990 (next to be held NA);
     percent of vote by party NA; seats - (130 total) SDA 43, SDS BiH 34,
     HDZ BiH 21, Party of Democratic Changes 15, SRSJ BiH 12, MBO 2, DSS 1,
     DSZ 1, LS 1
note:
     legislative elections for Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina are
     slated for late 1994
Judicial branch:
     Supreme Court, Constitutional Court
Political parties and leaders:
     Party of Democratic Action (SDA), Alija IZETBEGOVIC; Croatian
     Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HDZ BiH), KresimirZUBAK;
     Serbian Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina (SDS BiH), Radovan
     KARADZIC, president; Muslim-Bosnian Organization (MBO), Adil
     ZULFIKARPASIC, president; Democratic Party of Socialists (DSS), Nijaz
     DURAKOVIC, president; Party of Democratic Changes, leader NA; Serbian
     Movement for Renewal (SPO), Milan TRIVUNCIC; Alliance of Reform Forces
     of Yugoslavia for Bosnia and Herzegovina (SRSJ BiH), Dr. Nenad
     KECMANOVIC, president; Democratic League of Greens (DSZ), Drazen
     PETROVIC; Liberal Party (LS), Rasim KADIC, president
Other political or pressure groups:
     NA
Member of:
     CEI, CSCE, ECE, ICAO, ILO, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user),
     INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
     (vacant); Minister-Counselor, Charge d'Affaires ad interim Seven
     ALKALAJ
chancery:
     Suite 760, 1707 L Street NW, Washington, DC 10036
telephone:
     (202) 833-3612, 3613, and 3615
FAX:
     (202) 833-2061
consulate(s) general:
     New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
     Ambassador Victor JACKOVICH
embassy:
     address NA
mailing address:
     NA




telephone:
     NA
FAX:
     NA
Flag:
     white with a large blue shield; the shield contains white Roman
     crosses with a white diagonal band running from the upper hoist corner
     to the lower fly side


                                  Economy


Overview:
     Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to The Former Yugoslav Republic of
     Macedonia as the poorest republic in the old Yugoslav federation.
     Although agriculture has been almost all in private hands, farms have
     been small and inefficient, and the republic traditionally has been a
     net importer of food. Industry has been greatly overstaffed, one
     reflection of the rigidities of Communist central planning and
     management. Tito had pushed the development of military industries in
     the republic with the result that Bosnia hosted a large share of
     Yugoslavia's defense plants. As of April 1994, Bosnia and Herzegovina
     was being torn apart by the continued bitter interethnic warfare that
     has caused production to plummet, unemployment and inflation to soar,
     and human misery to multiply. No reliable economic statistics for
     1992-93 are available, although output clearly has fallen
     substantially below the levels of earlier years.
National product:
     GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $NA
National product real growth rate:
     NA%
National product per capita:
     $NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
     NA%
Unemployment rate:
     NA%
Budget:
revenues:
     $NA
expenditures:
     $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
     $NA
commodities:
     NA
partners:
     NA
Imports:
     $NA
commodities:
     NA
partners:
     NA
External debt:
     $NA




Industrial production:
     growth rate NA%; production is sharply down because of interethnic and
     interrepublic warfare (1991-93)
Electricity:
capacity:
     NA kW
production:
     NA kWh
consumption per capita:
     NA kWh
Industries:
     steel production, mining (coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, and
     bauxite), manufacturing (vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products,
     wooden furniture, 40% of former Yugoslavia's armaments including tank
     and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances), oil refining (1991)
Agriculture:
     accounted for 9.0% of GDP in 1989; regularly produces less than 50% of
     food needs; the foothills of northern Bosnia support orchards,
     vineyards, livestock, and some wheat and corn; long winters and heavy
     precipitation leach soil fertility reducing agricultural output in the
     mountains; farms are mostly privately held, small, and not very
     productive (1991)
Illicit drugs:
     NA
Economic aid:
     $NA
Currency:
     1 dinar = 100 para; Croatian dinar used in Croat-held area, presumably
     to be replaced by new Croatian kuna; old and new Serbian dinars used
     in Serb-held area; hard currencies probably supplanting local
     currencies in areas held by Bosnian government
Exchange rates:
     NA
Fiscal year:
     calendar year


                              Communications


Railroads:
     NA km
Highways:
total:
     21,168 km
paved:
     11,436 km
unpaved:
     gravel 8,146 km; earth 1,586 km (1991)
Inland waterways:
     NA km
Pipelines:
     crude oil 174 km; natural gas 90 km (1992); note - pipelines now
     disrupted
Ports:
     coastal - none; inland - Bosanski Brod on the Sava River




Airports:
total:
     28
usable:
     24
with permanent-surface runways:
     5
with runways over 3659:
     0
with runways 2440-3659 m:
     3
with runways 1220-2439 m:
     6
Telecommunications:
     telephone and telegraph network is in need of modernization and
     expansion, many urban areas being below average compared with services
     in other former Yugoslav republics; 727,000 telephones; broadcast
     stations - 9 AM, 2 FM, 6 TV; 840,000 radios; 1,012,094 TVs; satellite
     ground stations - none


                              Defense Forces


Branches:
     Army
Manpower availability:
     males age 15-49 1,298,102; fit for military service 1,054,068; reach
     military age (19) annually 38,283 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
     $NA, NA% of GDP