FACTS ABOUT BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Geography: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia, total surface 51,129 sq km

Climate: hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast

Population: Around 4.5 million

Language: Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian. English is widely spoken in the cities.

Religion: Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 14%

Government: emerging federal democratic republic

Clothing: Gets very cold during the winter, winter coats and comfortable winter sweaters are adviseable, especially if you plan on a skiing weekend in a beautiful mountiains surrounding Sarajevo – Jahorina, Bjelasnica and others. More information:

http://www.sartour-hostel-sarajevo.ba/webdoc3.htm

Local time: GMT + 1 hours.

TRAVEL TIPS

Currency and Money Exchange

• You may bring in foreign currencies or any other types of foreign exchange.
• Bosnian currency is Convertible Mark.
• Major foreign currencies can be exchanged for Bosnian convertible mark with banks and authorized moneychangers.
• 1 USD equals approximately 1.44 BAM; 1 Euro buys 1.96 BAM (Bosnian convertible mark)
• Cheques and drafts brought in, if the owner wants to sell them must be sold in a bank
• Major credit cards are also widely accepted in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  
  
  

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

Airport

Sarajevo International Airport , airport code: SJJ.

Visas

The partition of the republic make legal border crossing and airport (Sarajevo) entry for all foreign nationals difficult. Citizens of the United States and most EU nations currently need only a passport to enter Bosnia-Hercegovina.
Check before travelling to the country

Currency

Bosnia and Herzegovina Konvertibilna Marka (KM) = 100 pfeninga. Notes are in denominations of KM200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 and 50 pfenings. Coins are available in denominations of KM2 and 1, and 50, 20 and 10 pfenings.

Tipping

Tipping is customary for taxis, as well as in hotels and restaurants; the bill is often rounded up.

Useful Numbers

Country Code: 387
Outgoing Code: 99
Ambulance: 124

Electricity

220 volts AC; 50 Hz.

Clothing

In rural areas it is wise to dress modestly as their are old fashioned attitudes to women's clothing.

Geography

Sarajevo is located close to the geometric centre of triangularly shaped Bosnia and Herzegovina, and covers some 142.0 km² (88.2 mi²) of land. The core of the city is built in the Sarajevo valley (Also translated as Sarajevo field), a small depression 500 metres above sea level, nestled in between the surrounding mountains. Although much of the city itself is relatively flat, some of the outskirts and far Eastern parts are hilly. Neighborhoods in the old town, in particular, are well known for their steep streets and landscape.
The river Miljacka flows through the city from east to west and is one of the city's chief geographic features. The source of the river Bosna, Vrelo Bosne, is found on the city's outskirts near Ilidža and is one of the most well known natural landmarks in the country. The city is surrounded by five major mountains. They are part of the Dinaric Alps mountain range that winds through Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro. The mountains are popular tourist attractions for hiking and skiing.

Useful links:

Tourism Association of Sarajevo
http://www.sarajevo-tourism.com/eng/default.wbsp

Sarajevo travel guide
Sarajevo travelguide

Official presentation of the city of Sarajevo
http://www.sarajevo.ba/en/