Bosnia and Herzegovina apparently seem to be two different places, but is the name of a single country that lies in the south east region of Europe , is spread over more than fifty-one thousand square kilometers and has a population of over four million people. Though Bosnia mainly comprises of Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats, a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina is referred to as a Bosnian only.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a strategic location. On its west lies the land of beautiful damsels, Croatia and on the east lie the much known Serbia and Montenegro .

The capital of Bosnia is its largest city, Sarajevo . Sarajevo is an important city of the Balkans. It was discovered by the Ottomans in 1461 and has a long and rich history since then.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country rich with history, culture and natural beauty. Lying at the heart of the western Balkans, the area that now comprises Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a part of numerous empires from the Romans to the socialist Yugoslav federation. Through the centuries, the region has developed unique architecture, foods and cultures that reflect the mixing of peoples and ideas. It is a country where the past - both good and bad - remains an integral part of everyday life.

Coming out of the violent war that both caused and was caused by the break-up of Yugoslavia , Bosnia and Herzegovina has sought since 1995 to rebuild a devastated infrastructure and create a political system that recognizes difference but seeks to create democratic norms and processes.

Bosnia-Herzegovina's climate is different for each province. Herzegovina and the southern area has a modified Mediterranean climate with an average annual precipitation of 600 to 800 mm (24 to 31.5 inches) while the central and northern area of Bosnia has a modified Pannoian or Alpine climate with an average annual precipitation of 1,500 to 2,500 mm (59 to 98 inches). Average temperature ranges in Sarajevo are from -.5 degrees Celsius (31 degrees Fahrenheit) in January to 19.6 degrees Celsius (67 degrees Fahrenheit) in July.

The majority of Croats are Roman Catholic while the Serbs are Orthodox Christians. Whereas, the Slav Muslims are Muslims. In addition, there are also religious minorities of Protestants, Greek or Uniate Catholics and a small number of Jews.

Each ethnic group has its own language or dialect with the national language Serbo-Croatian. The religious differences between the ethnic groups accounts for the two alphabets that are used. A Latin alphabet which is used by the Croats. A Cyrillic alphabet which is used by the Serbs. Serbo-Croatian is basically the same language with some minor differences reflecting religious and cultural characteristics. German is also widely understood.