Bosnia - Herzegovina Essay -- essays research papers fc

Bosnia-Herzegovina is a country located in southeastern Europe. Bosnia- Herzegovina declared its independence in March of 1992. Usually, this country is referred to as Bosnia, but is officially named Bosnia-Herzegovina. In 1918, Bosnia-Herzegovina became part of the kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which later became known as the country of Yugoslavia. In 1946, Yugoslavia became a federal state consisting of six republics, one of which was Bosnia-Herzegovina. Slavic people make up most of the counties population. The largest groups are the Bosnia Muslims, the Serbs, and the Croats. Much of the Serbian population opposed to Bosnia's independence and a civil war erupted in the Spring of 1992. Serbian forces soon occupied about two-thirds of the country. About one-fifth was soon held by Bosnian Croatians. The remainder of the country was held by Bosnian government troops, mainly Bosnian Muslims. From 1945, till 1990, communists held a monopoly on powers in all of Yugoslavia, including Bosnia-Herzegovina. In 1990, non-communists gained a majority of seats in Bosnia's first multi-party election. Bosnia-Herzegovina's capitol city is Sarajevo, which can be found in the center of the country. Although many languages are spoke there, the main language is Serbo-Croatian. In a 1991 census, there was a reported 4,365,639 people living in the borders of Bosnia-Herzegovina which has an area of 19,741 square miles, and in 1995 there was an estimated 4,454,000 people in the country (Twenty-two people per square mile.) Sixty-six percent of those people live in rural areas, leaving only thirty-four percent living in urban areas. Bosnia- Herzegovina's money system is based on the Dinar. Their main agricultural exports are cattle, cherries, corn, grapes, hogs, peaches, pears, plums, potatoes, sheep, soybeans, tobacco, walnuts, and wheat. As a developing country, their industrial production is slightly limited, producing mainly electrical appliances and textiles. There is also a lot of mining of coal and iron ore which also contributes to the countries economy. Bosnia's government is headed by a seven member collective presidency. The presidency consists of two Croats, two Bosnian Muslims, two Serbs, and one individual who is not affiliated with a specific ethnic group. Voters elect members to a four year term. The members then elect a president who serves a one year... ...ims, Serbs, and Croats should fight for what the believe in, and the strongest will eventually prevail. Bibliography: 1. The Christian Science Monitor 11-16-94 Title: Opening the Docket: Trials of a War Tribunal 2. USA Today 12-5-94 Title: Serb Defiance has its Roots in Balkan History 3. USA Today 2-14-95 Title: UN Tribunal Accuses 21 Serbs of War Atrocities 4. USA Today 10-16-95 Title: Mass Graves Yield Horror in Bosnia 5. USA Today 10-11-95 Title: Clear Messages to Bosnian War Criminals...No Deal 6. Pittsburgh Post Gazette 10-8-95 Title: War Crime Trails may be Thwarted by Peace Bid 7. US News & World Report 4-10-95 Title: A Hunt for the Killers of Bosnia 8. Macleans 8-15-94 Title: Serbian Death Camp 9. War Criminals, War Victims by Random House Inc. 1971 10. World Book Encyclopedia Volume B & Y, 1990 11. US News & World Report 11-27-94 Title: Jumping the Gun in Bosnia 12. US News & World Report 9-18-95 Title: The US Risk in Bosnia 13. US News & World Report 11-6-95 Title: Keepers of the Peace 14. Merit Students Encyclopedia Volume 3. 1988 15. Newsweek 8-17-95 Title: Ethnic Cleansing 16. Pittsburgh Post Gazette 11-14-95 Title: Tribunal Changes: Bosnian Croats