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Geography and Environment

Geography and Environment of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Speed

Overview

Bosnia and Herzegovina is located on the Balkan Peninsula. It is almost entirely landlocked, except for a narrow, undeveloped outlet to the Adriatic along the Neretva River, which gives Bosnia and Herzegovina 12.4 miles of Adriatic coastline. The size of Bosnia and Herzegovina is 19,781-sq. mi. The land boundaries are 850.8 miles long. Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of two land regions: Bosnia, the northern part, is mountainous, and covered with thick forests; Herzegovina, the southern part, is composed largely of rocky hills and flat farmland. Major rivers in Bosnia include the Bosna, Drina, Neretva, Vrbas and Sava.

Detailed geography

Physical Features

Terrain
mountains and valleys
Climate
Bosnia and Herzegovina has scenic, snowy winters, and a rainy season in the early summer. Summers are warm in the mountain valleys, but cool at higher elevations. The far northern part of the country has somewhat colder winters and warmer summers. The average January temperature in Sarajevo is 30°F. The average July temperature is 66°F.
Weather Patterns
http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/BKXX0004?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
Highest Point
2386 — Maglic 2,386 m
Lowest Point
Adriatic Sea 0 m

Borders and Area

Area (Comparative)
slightly smaller than West Virginia
Border Countries
Croatia 932 km, Serbia and Montenegro 527 km

Natural Resources and Hazards

Natural Resources
coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, cobalt, manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand, forests, hydropower
Natural Hazards
destructive earthquakes

Environment and Land Use

Current Environmental Issues
air pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; water shortages and destruction of infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife; deforestation
International Agreements
Party To: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements