1. Geographical Information:
  2. Climate:
  3. Map
  4. State & political system of BiH:

Geographical Information:

Time: GMT +1

In the north, west and southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina borders with the Republic of Croatia (932 km of border), and in the east and south with Serbia and Montenegro (606 km of border).
Bosnia and Herzegovina has an exit the Adriatic Sea of 13 km of coastline.

The country consists of four geographical units.
 

  • Central Bosnia, which as the name says includes the central area of the country. Geographically, this is mostly a mountainn region and economically it is the mmost developed region of the country, in which human communities are continuously present since the very early times.
  • Bosnia and Herzegovinian high karst includes the mountian karst region of western Bosnia and Herzegovinia; this is the least population lives in the cities.
  • Mediterranean region, the so called Low Herzegovina, is the smallest geographical area of Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in the background of Middle Mediterranean coast.
  • Northern Bosnia includes mostly flat area with cultivated land near river Sava.

Total area: 51,209.00 km2

Land structure: cultivated 14%
                           planted 5%
                           pastures 20%
                           forests 39%
                           other 22%

Geographical coordinates of end spots of BiH:
  Northern latitude Eastern longitude Municipality Settlement
North 45"16'30" 16"55'56" Bos. Dubica Gradina Donja
South 42"33'00" 18"32'24" Trebinje Podstirovnik
East 44"03'00" 19"37'41" Bratunac Zlijebac
West 44"49'30" 15"44'00" Bihac Bugar

Air distance by latitude and longitude is: north-east 2"43'30" or 314 km, and east-west 3"53'41" or 309 km.

The highest mountain top in Bosnia and Herzegovina is Maglic, 2,386 meters above the sea level, located in the municipality Foca. The lowest point is, logically, the zero altitude in the coast of the Adriatic.

The longest river is Drina - 346 km, and the largest lake is Busko, with area of 55.8 km2 and the depth of 17.3 m.
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Climate:

Bardakcije br.12,71000 Sarajevo
Tel. +387 33/276-700; Fax. + 387 33/276-701
E-mail: fmzbih@fmzbih.co.ba
Web: www.fmzbih.co.ba

Due to specific geographical location and topography, climate of Bosnia & Herzegovina is quite complex, and one can differentiate three separate parts with, more or less, pronounced borders, as:

1. Southwest : mediterian, or maritime climate type
2. Central part : continental-mountain or alpine climate type
3. North : moderate continental or middle Europe climate type

At southern part of B&H due to the vicinity of Adriatic Sea, which in winter period radiates heat accumulated in summer period, average January tempeatures are quite high (from 3 - 5 C) while the summers are dry and warm (abs. max. temperatures are from 40 - 45 C). Average yearly amount of precipitation is between 1000 - 1800 l/m 2, and average yarly temperature is from 12 - 15 C. At this area snow is rare, but not impossible phenoena.

At central part of B&H we have continental- mountain climate, alpine type. Main characteristics of this climate type are sharp winters (abs.min. temperatures from - 24 to - 34 C) and warm summers (abs.max.temperatures from 30 to 36 C). Average yearly amount of precipitation is between 1000 - 1200 l/m 2. Snow rainfalls are rich, expecially at higher points.

At north part of the country we have moderate continental climate, with quite sharp winters and warm summers, but in relation with alpine region, diameters between winter and summer temperatures are smaller. The warmest areas are at the northeast, while aaverage temperatures decreases toward southwest, going in line with river valleys toward central part. Average yearly amount of precipitation is between 700 and 1200 l/m 2. Snow precipitations are present there but less then at central part.

As an example, here are two cities from each of the climate zones:

Station

 Average annual temperature (c) Annual precipitation (l/m 2) Number of cloudy days (yearly) Number of bright days (yearly)
Bihac 10.6 1306 106 37
Tuzla 10.2 895 95 47
Zenica 10.1 776 96 32
Sarajevo 9.6 931 97 46
Mostar 14.6 1493 78 67
Livno 13.9 1817 86 54

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State & political system of BiH

Legislative Branch

The legislative authority in the Bosnia and Herzegovina is exercised by the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which consists of two chambers: the House of representatives and the House of Peoples.

All legislation requries the approval of both chambers.

Any decision by the Parliamentary Assembly shall reflect the will of each of the three constituent peoples. Protection of vital national interests of the constituent peoples is ensures by a strict parliamentary procedure.

Parliamentary Assembly of BiH
Trg BiH br.1, Sarajevo
www.parlament.ba

Secretariat of Parliamentary Assembly
Secretary
Aljosa Campara
Tel: 033/284-423

Public Relations Office
Zlatko Vukmirovic
Tel: 033/284-441
Tel/Fax: 033/284-447

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The House of Representatives has 42 Representatives, where two-thireds are from the territory of Federation BiH and one-thired is from the territory of Republika Srpska. Representatives of the House of Representatives are elected directly from their own Entity, for a 4-year mandate, in accordance with the BiH Election Law.

Caucuses are formed as principle-working units for the Representatives in the House of Representatives, especially in preparation and creation of Agendas for sessions. At least 3 representatives shall form a Caucus. Representatives, who are not members of any particular Caucus, may be members of mixed Caucus. The rights and responsibilities of the mixed Caucus are the same as the rights and responsibilities of all other Caucusese. Each Caucus has its Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Each Caucus independently establishes its own structure and working mehtodology.

Among its members, the House of Representatvies shall elect one Bosniak, one Croat, and one Serb Representative to assume the duties of Speaker, First Deputy Speaker, and Second Deputy Speaker. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall not be of the same constituent people as the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH and Shairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH. The Speaker is automatically, without voting, rotated every eight months, starting with the Election Day of the Speaker.

A commission shall not have more than nine members, of which two-thirds are apponinted from the territory of the Federation of BiH and one-thired from the territory of the Republika Srpska.

House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH
Trg BiH br.1, Sarajevo
Tel: 033/284-406
www.parlament.ba
 
Speaker of the House
Milorad Zivkovic
Tel: 033/284-410

First Deputy Speaker
Niko Lozancic
Tel: 033/ 284-403

Second Deputy Speaker
Beriz Belkic
Tel: 033/284-408

Secretary of the House
Branka Todorovic
Tel 033/284-410

HOUSE OF PEOPLES OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The House of Peoples has 15 Delegates, where two-thirds are from Federation BiH (including 5 Croats and 5 Bosniaks) and one-third from Republika Srpska (5 Serbs).

Delegates are elected for period of four years. Nominated Croat Delegates are elected by the Croat Delegates in the Federation House of Peoples and the nominated Bosniak Delegates are elected by the Bosniak Delegates in the Federation House of Peoples. The Republika Srpska Natinal Assembly elects Serb Delegates from Republika Srpska.

Among its Members, the House of Peoples elects one Bosniak, one Croat, and one Serb member to assume the duties of Speaker, First Deputy Speaker, and Second Deputy Speaker. The Speaker of the House of Peoples is not of the same constituent people as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Speaker is automatically, without voting, rotated every eight months, starting with the Election Day of the Speaker.

A quorum in the House of Peoples are at least nine members of the House of the Peoples, provided that there are at least three Bosniak, three Croat and three Serb Delegates.

A commission has six Delegates' members, whereas the House of Peoples may also appoint three additional expert members to the commission, who shall not have either the right to vote or the decision-making authority.

House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly
Trg BiH br.1, Sarajevo
Tel: 033/284-453
www.parlament.ba

Speaker of the House
Sulejman Tihic


First Deputy Speaker
Mladen Ivanic


Second Deputy Speaker
Ilija Filipovic


Secretary of the House
Tel: 033/284-440
 

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Executive Branch

1. Council of Ministers of BiH
2. Agenices, services, commissions, and other bodies of BiH
3. Ministries of BiH

The executive branch of Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of the Presidency of BiH and the Council of BiH and the Council of Ministers of BiH.

Presidency of BiH
 

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina represents and symbolizes the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is responsible to coordinate and harmonize the work of BiH institutions, to represent interests of Entities, related to all constituent peoples and all cititzens.

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of three Members: one Bosniak and one Croat, each directly elected from the territory of the Federation, and one Serb directly elected from the territory of the Republika Srpska. The mandate for Members of the Presidency is four years. The Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovnia is changed every eight (8) months by the priniciples of rotation.

The Presidency shall have responsibility for:

In addition to the above, the Presidency of BiH nominates Chairman of the Council of Ministers and passes this nomination to the House of Representative of Parliamentary Assembly of BiH for approval. Within its jurisdiction, the Presidency of BiH may dismiss the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.

The Presidency shall endeavor to adopt all Presidency Decisions by consensus.

Two Members may nevertheless adopt such decision when all efforts to reach consensus have failed. A dissenting Member of the Presidency may declare a Presidency Decision to be destructive of a vital interest of the Entity from the territory from which he was elected, provided that he does so within three days of its adoption. Such a Decision shall be referred immediately to the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska, if the declaration was made by the Member from that territory; to the Bosniak Delegates of the House of Peoples of the Federation, if the declaration was made by the Bosniak Member; or to the Croat Delegates of that body, if the declaration was made by the Croat Member. If the declaration is confirmed by a two-thirds vots in the RS National Assembly or the House of Peoples of the Federation of BiH within ten days of the referral, the challenged Presidency Decision shall not take effect.

The Presidecy of BiH appoints members to the Commission for protection of National Monuments, officials of the State Border Service of BiH, and members of the Standing Committee of Military Matters.

Each Member of the Presidency shall, by virtue of the office, have civilian command authority over armed forces.
 


Presidency of BiH
Musala br.9, Sarajevo
 www.predsjednistvobih.ba

Chairman
Dr. Haris Silajdzic
Tel: 033/664-941
Fax: 033/472-491

Member of the Presidency
Nebojsa Radmanovic
Tel: 033/471-213
Fax: 033/206-563

Member of the Presidency
Zeljko Komsic
Tel: 033/212-761
Fax: 033/212-720


Public Relations Office
Ljerka Bojic
Tel: 033/556-140
Fax: 033/556-050

Acting General Secretary of the Presidency
Ranko Ninkovic
Tel: 033/473-036
Fax: 033/555-620
 


Standing Committee on Military Matters

The Standing Committee on Military Matters coordinates the activites of armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Members of the Presidency are members of the Standing Committee and select other members of the Committee.

The Standing Committee on Military Matters has seven members with the right to vote, as follows:

  • three Members of the Presidency of BiH;

  • Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH;

  • Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH;

  • President/Vice-President of the Federation BiH; and

  • President/Vice-President of Republika Srpska.

Each of the three constituent peoples shall be represented in the Standing Committee by at least two members.

Representatives of international community in BiH (SFOR) are invited to the sessions of the Standing Committee, and other persons if necessary.

Neither Entity shall threaten or use force against the other Entity and under no circumstances shall any armed forces of either Entity enter into or stay within the territory of the other Entity without the consent of the government of the latter and of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. All armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovnia shall operate consistently with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 


Standing Committee on Military Matters
Trg BiH br.1, Sarajevo
Tel: 033/286-500
Fax: 033/206-107
 


COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVNIA

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovnia is a part of the executive branch of Bosnia and Herzegovnia exercising its governmental rights, in accordance with the Constitution of BiH. The seat of the Council of Ministers is in Sarajevo.

The Council of Ministers consists of:

  • Chairman of the Council of Ministers;

  • Minister of Foreign Affairs;

  • Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations;

  • Minister of Finance and Treasury;

  • Minister of Communications and Transport;

  • Minister of Civil Affairs;

  • Minister of Human Rights and Refugees;

  • Minister of Justice; and

  • Minister of Security.

The term of office of the Council of Ministers coincides with the mandate of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Presidency of BiH nominates Chairman of the Council of Ministers, who takes over the office after the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH approves the nomination.

The Chairman of the Council of Ministers nominates Ministers and Deputy Ministers, and two Deputy Chairmen, whose nominations need to be approved by the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly.

The Chairman and Deputy Chairmen are from among different constituent peoples.

If Chairman resigns or is permanently unable to perform his/her duty, the Council of Ministers regsigns as a whole. They will continue to perform their duties until a new Chairman and the Council of Ministers are nominated and approved.

Council of Ministers of BiH
Trg BiH br.1, Sarajevo
www.vijeceministara.gov.ba

Chairman
Nikola Spiric
Tel: 033/269-570
Fax: 033/211-464


Pree office of the Council of Ministers of BiH
Pree Secretary
Mirjana Micevska
Tel: 033/211-581

Permanent Bodies of the Council of Ministers of BiH

DIRECTORATE FOR EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
The Directorate for European Integration performs tasks and duties relating to the coordination of activities of the authorities in BiH, supervision of the implementation of decisions taken by responsible institutions of BiH concerning all relevant activities required for European integration.

Director of the Directorate is appointed and dismissed by the Council of Ministers, at the proposal of the Chairman.

Directorate for European Integration
Trg BiH br.1, Sarajevo
www.dei.gov.ba

Director
Osman Topcagic
Tel: 033/264-330
 

Internal Policy Committee

The Internal Policy Committee is a co-ordination body for the issuse within the scope of the work of the following Ministries: Ministry for Human Right and Refugees, Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Security.

Economy Committee

The Economy Committee a co-ordination body for the issuse within the scope of the work of the following Ministries: Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, Ministry of Finance and Treasury, and Ministry of Communications and Transport.

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