Sarajevo

Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It lies in a valley surrounded by mountains in the center of the country. The city is the seat of the state government, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Sarajevo Canton.

Historically, Sarajevo was a place where Islamic, Orthodox, Catholic, and Jewish cultures met and influenced one another. In the twentieth century it twice became the focus of international attention: in 1984 when it hosted the Winter Olympic Games, and from 1992 to 1996 during a prolonged military conflict.

Geography and structure

The city sits in the valley of the Miljacka River, with mountains surrounding it on most sides. This valley formation means that during winter, when air pressure systems stall, polluted air becomes trapped over the city for extended periods. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) ranked Sarajevo among the region's cities with the worst air quality in winter, identifying household heating using coal and fuel oil, older vehicles, and workshops as major contributors.

Foundation and the Ottoman period

The modern city is traced to Isa-beg Ishaković, an Ottoman military commander who administered the Bosnia region. Historical sources indicate that the city was founded around 1461, when mosques, markets, and administrative buildings were constructed—these became the core of the city. The name Sarajevo derives from a Turkish word related to 'saray' (administrative residence).

The 1984 Winter Olympics

In February 1984, Sarajevo hosted the fourteenth Winter Olympic Games, then part of Yugoslavia. New facilities were built in the surrounding mountains, including on Jahorina and Bjelašnica. These were the first Winter Olympics held in a socialist country of that era, and competitors from Olympic organizations participated in the Winter Games for the first time.

The 1992–1996 conflict

After Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence, Bosnian Serb forces in the surrounding mountains began a siege and bombardment of the city lasting from 5 April 1992 to 29 February 1996. This extended period is considered the longest siege in the history of modern Europe. Much of the city's infrastructure was damaged.

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) heard cases related to the conflict. Stanislav Galić, commander of the Sarajevo-Romanija Corps, was found responsible for sniper fire and heavy weapons attacks targeting civilians; the tribunal's appeals court upheld a sentence of imprisonment.

People and culture

The 2013 national census was the first since 1991. According to the census reference site citypopulation.de, which draws on data from Bosnia's statistical authorities, the city districts of Sarajevo held approximately 275,000 people, while Sarajevo Canton exceeded 400,000. Some formerly Sarajevo districts now belong to Republika Srpska, known as 'East Sarajevo' (Istočno Sarajevo).