Bosnia and Herzegovina

SAFETY:  adequate
Although the war ended in 1995, the situation still cannot be considered normalised, as the political difficulties of autumn 2007 showed. Ethnic tensions periodically resurface, while petty crime is on the rise, though without reaching particularly dangerous levels. The greatest source of risk, however, lies in the significant presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance, which is why any excursion off established roads and tracks is strongly discouraged.

TRANSPORT SYSTEM:  poor
There are no motorways; surfaced roads are in very poor condition, and the unsurfaced secondary roads even more so. The latter account for 50% of the total and become very dangerous in the winter months, during snowfall or rain. Public transport is poor. The only usable railway line is the one to Croatia. Domestic and international air links are also poor.

Main airports: Banja Luka, Mostar, Sarajevo (Butmir)

ACCOMMODATION:  poor

Apart from the capital, the hotel offering is still poor in both quantity and quality.

COUNTRY FACTS:  Full name:  Bosnia – Herzegovina  –  Location:  western Balkans. Borders: Serbia to the north-east, Montenegro to the south-east, Croatia to the north, south and south-west – Time zone: UTC +1, the same as Italy, observes daylight saving time – Area: 51,000 sq km – Capital: Sarajevo – Population: 4,552,000 – Religion: 40% Muslim, 31% Orthodox, 15% Catholic, 14% other religions – Languages: Bosnian, Serbo-Croatian. English and Italian understood – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: Convertible mark  (BAM).  There are no restrictions on importing foreign currency  – Credit cards: the major cards are accepted in hotels and shops in the main urban centres - Exchange: bring euros, easy to exchange.

ELECTRICITY: 220 V and 50 Hz (as in Italy) – Sockets: types C and F (bring an adaptor).

DOCUMENTS: identity card valid for travel abroad or valid passport – Driving: Italian driving licence – Car: Green Card.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: International dialling code: 00387 – GSM: coverage available  across almost the entire country (excluding some mountain areas). Standard: GSM 800/1900 and 3G 2100 (as in Italy). Local operators:  BH Telekom, Public Enterprise Croatian Telecom and RS Telecommunications JSC Banja Luka – Internet: available in the main cities – Web domain: .ba – Emergency numbers:  ambulance (Sarajevo)
611111/611124, fire brigade (Sarajevo) 664115/123, police (Sarajevo) 664211, roadside assistance 1282.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: for drug use and possession, local law provides for sentences of up to 2 years’ imprisonment and, for foreigners, expulsion from the country. More serious drug offences are punishable by up to 12 years’ imprisonment.

HEALTH: no compulsory vaccinations are required.  Hygiene and sanitation in the country are improving but still below European standards.  Local hospitals are of a fair standard only in the capital and the main cities.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1-2 January, New Year; 1 March, Independence Day (Croat-Muslim Federation only); 1 May, Labour Day; 9 May, VE Day; 25 November, Constitution Day (Croat-Muslim Federation only); in the Republika Srpska: 6-7 January, Orthodox Christmas; 9 January,  National Day; 14 January, Orthodox New Year; 19 January, Orthodox Epiphany; 28 June, St Vitus’ Day.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 8.00-17.00 – Banks: Mon-Fri  8.00-17.00 – Shops: Mon-Sat 9.00-18.00

CLIMATE: continental in Sarajevo and the surrounding areas, with very harsh, snowy winters and scorching summers. Rainfall is concentrated in the intermediate seasons, when temperatures are unsettled. The south-western part of the country has a Mediterranean climate.

Monthly max/min temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain)/monthly rainfall in mm

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY

Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Piazzale Clodio 12/III - 00195 Rome – Tel. 06/ 39742817 –  Fax 06/39030567
E-mail: ambasciatabosnia@libero.it

Consulates

Via Pilo Albertelli, 11 – 00195 Rome – Tel. 06/3728509 – Fax 06/39030567

Via Luigi Galvani, 21 – 20124 Milan – Tel. 06/66982707

USEFUL ADDRESSES  IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Italian Embassy

Ulica Cekalusa, 39 – 71000 Sarajevo – Tel. 00387/33/203959/203960

Web: ambsarajevo.esteri.it  -  E-mail: amb.sarajevo@esteri.it