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'Herzegovina' (natively: 'Hercegovina' or 'Херцеговина') is a historical and geographical region in the Dinaric Alps that comprises the southern part of present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina. The area of Herzegovina is 9,948 km² (or 10,190 km² according to other sources). There is no clear border between Herzegovina and the Bosnia region. There are many opinions on where Herzegovina ends and Bosnia begins.
The name Herzegovina means "Herzog's estate", which refers to a medieval ruler of the area, great duke of the Bosnian kingdom'' ('Herzog' means duke in German) 'Stjepan Vukčić Kosača'.
As preparations for the annexation of Bosnia by Austria-Hungary were begun, the "divide and rule" policy was imposed by the European powers upon the gravely weakened Ottoman administration. The name of Herzegovina for the south-western parts of Bosnia was re-applied, and the country then changed its name from "Bosnia" to "Bosnia and Herzegovina" in 1853.

Contents

Population

History

Political status

Geography

Cities

Tourism

Gallery

See also

External links

Population

The population of Herzegovina was mixed prior to the Yugoslav wars as well as the Second World War, both of which saw ethnic cleansing on a large scale. In the 1991 census, Herzegovina was recorded as having a population of 437,095 inhabitants. The ethnic composition of the population was as follows: 206,457 were Croats (47.2%), 112,948 Bosniaks (25.8%), 93,047 Serbs (21.3%), 18,494 Yugoslavs (4.2%), and 6,149 were registered as 'others' (1.4%).
Today, the western part of Herzegovina that belong to Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is mainly populated by Croats and Bosniaks (Bosniak population mainly live along the flow of the Neretva, including the cities of Mostar, Konjic and Stolac), while eastern part that belong to Republika Srpska is mainly populated by Serbs. [1]

History

Main articles: History of Herzegovina

In the early Middle Ages, the territory of modern Bosnia and Herzegovina was divided into many smaller more or less independent territories. Herzegovina encompasses the regions then known as the Land of Hum or Zahumlje and Travunija. The westernmost parts of Herzegovina belonged to the Kingdom of Croatia.
After the 1320s, all of these lands became a part of the Bosnian kingdom. In a document sent to Friedrich III on January 20, 1448, Bosnian duke Stjepan Vukčić Kosača called himself ''Herzog (duke) of Saint Sava, lord of Hum and Primorje, great duke of the Bosnian kingdom'' and so the lands he controlled became (much later) known as ''Herzog's lands'' or ''Herzegovina''.
In 1482 Herzog was overpowered by Ottoman forces led by his own son, Ahmed Hercegović, who accepted Islam. In the Ottoman Empire Herzegovina was organized as a province (''sanjak'') within the state (''pashaluk'') of Bosnia. From 1833 to 1851 Herzegovina was separate pashaluk ruled by semi-independent vizier Ali-paša Rizvanbegović. After his death, pashaluks of Bosnia and Herzegovina were merged and therefore the name of the new joint entity was changed to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1853, as a result of preparations by European powers for annexation of Bosnia (by Austria-Hungary). By the end of this period, there happened a major uprising known as the Herzegovinian rebellion.
In 1878, Herzegovina was occupied by Austria-Hungary. This caused great resentment among its populace which together resisted the invaders in smaller flare-ups that ended in 1882.

Political status

In the modern Bosnian-Herzegovinian state, Herzegovina is divided between two entities (see Bosnia and Herzegovina and History of Bosnia and Herzegovina). Republika Srpska doesn't have any official administrative units within Herzegovina (though the term Trebinje Region is often used informally). In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Herzegovina is administratively divided between the cantons of Herzegovina-Neretva, West Herzegovina and partially Canton 10.

Geography

The Herzegovina terrain is mostly hilly, karst (with high mountains in north Herzegovina such as Cvrsnica and Prenj), except for the central valley of the river Neretva. The largest city is Mostar, in the center of the region. Other larger towns include Stolac, Trebinje, Široki Brijeg, Konjic and Čapljina. Borders between Bosnia and Herzegovina are unclear and often disputed.
The upper flow of the river Neretva lies in the northern parts of Herzegovina, a heavily forested area with fast flowing rivers and high mountains. Towns like Konjic and Jablanica lie in this area, considered by many the most beautiful part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
River Neretva rises on Lebršnik Mountain, close to the border to Montenegro, and as the river flows towards west, it enters Herzegovina. The entire upper catchment of Neretva constitutes a precious ecoregion with many endemic and endangered species. Fast flowing emerald river carves its way through the precipitius karst terrain, providing excellent opportunities for rafting and kayaking, while the spectacular scenery of the surrounding mountains and forests is a challenging hiking terrain.
Neretva's tributaries in the upper flow are mostly short, due to the mountainous terrain: Notably river Rakitnica has cut a deep canyon, its mystical waters being one of the least explored areas in this part of Europe. River Rakitnica flows into Neretva upstream from Konjic.
Neretva then flows towards northwest, trough the town of Konjic. The river enters the artificial Jablanica Lake ("Jablaničko jezero"), one of the biggest in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The lake ends near the town of Jablanica, famous for the Battle of Neretva, marking a crucial victory of Yugoslav Partisans over the German army and its quisling allies during World War II. From here on, Neretva turns southward continuing its course towards the Adriatic Sea.
With mountains lining its shores gradually receding, Neretva enters a valley where the city of Mostar lies. It flows under the famous old bridge Stari most and continues now more widely flowing towards the town of Čapljina and the Neretva delta in Croatia before emptying into the Adriatic Sea.

Cities

There are several famous cities in Herzegovina, Mostar is the most famous city and unofficial capital, but also the only city with over 100,000 citizens. There are no big cities in Herzegovina but they are historical and famous nonetheless.
Stolac, for example is maybe the oldest city in Herzegovina. There have been settlements dating from paleolithic period (Badanj cave), Ilyric tribe lived in city Daorson, there have been also several roman setlements along side Bregava river and medieval habitants have left us largest and most beautiful stone grave monuments called stećak in Radimlja. Trebinje is the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, near the border with Montenegro, and this beautiful city is a historical city on the river Trebišnjica. Čapljina and Ljubuški are famous for there history and rivers; Međugorje is famous for its religious importance for many Croats and Catholics. Konjic and Jablanica become famous during World War II, and other cities in Herzegovina are: Rama, Široki Brijeg, Posušje, Čitluk, Grude, Gacko, Bileća, Ljubinje and the coastal town of Neum.

Tourism

In Herzegovina there are many beautiful and famous natural landmarks like the falls of Kravica. It is several waterfalls near the city of Ljubuški and a popular spot for the local people, to take a bath in the hot Herzegovinan weather, or just to enjoy the view.
The Hutovo Blato is a bird reserve, one of the most important in the Europe and many international ornithologists have been there.
Vjetrenica cave is a cave system near the border to Croatia, in the Ravno municipality. The cave has not been explored totally yet but it is open for visitors. More and more species are being discovered there and it is a unique ecosystem with cave animals and other interesting things.
The mouth of Blagaj is also famous where the river Buna origin, inside a cave system.
Neum at the Adriatic Sea is also a popular tourist attraction, Bosnia and Herzegovina's only coastal town.

Gallery

See also

★ Pashaluk of Herzegovina

★ Herceg Novi

★ Bosnia (region)

★ Bosanska Krajina

★ Sutjeska National Park

External links

★ Visit Bosnia and Herzegovina

★ Tourism in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton

★ Culture of Lower Herzegovina