Herzegovina
167385
225459727
2008-07-13T20:25:33Z
193.254.227.145
{{POV|date=December 2007}}
{{otheruses4|the geographic area of Herzegovina|the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
[[Image:Herzegovina location.PNG|thumb|270px|Location of Herzegovina in Europe]]
[[Image:Bosna regija update.jpg|270px|thumb|right|Approximate borders between Bosnia (marked dark) and Herzegovina (marked light)]]
'''Herzegovina''' ([[Bosnian language|Bosnian]], [[Croatian language|Croatian]]: ''Hercegovina'', [[Serbian language|Serbian]]: Херцеговина, ''Hercegovina'') 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)|Bosnia region]]. There are many opinions on where Herzegovina ends and Bosnia begins.
==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]] (30.0%), 98,047 [[Serbs]] (21.3%), 77,166 and 6,149 were registered as 'others' (1.4%).
The Bosniak population mainly lives along the flow of the [[Neretva]] River, including the cities of [[Konjic]] and [[Jablanica, Bosnia and Herzegovina|Jablanica]]. The eastern part belongs to the [[Republika Srpska]], and is mainly populated by Serbs.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
==History==
{{History of Herzegovina}}
{{main|History of Herzegovina}} {{see also|History of Bosnia and 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 [[Zahumlje|Hum or Zahumlje]] and [[Travunia|Travunija]], through most of the late Middle Ages belonging to the [[Serbia]]n kings of the [[Nemanjić dynasty]]. The westernmost parts of Herzegovina belonged to the [[Medieval Croatian state|Kingdom of Croatia]] until its demise in 1102. Ban [[Stjepan II Kotromanić]] and King [[Tvrtko I Kotromanić]] adjoined these regions to the Bosnian state in the 14th century.
Following the weakening of the Bosnian crown after the death of [[Tvrtko I]], powerful noblemen of the [[Kosača]] family, Grand Duke [[Sandalj Hranić]] and his nephew, Herzog [[Stefan Vukčić]], ruled the Hum region independently, only nominally recognizing the overlordship of the Bosnian kings. In a document sent to [[Friedrich III, Elector of Saxony|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''.
[[Image:Old Herzegovina.png|250px|thumb|left|[[Old Herzegovina]] in [[Montenegro]]]]
In 1482, the lands of Herzog Stefan's successors were occupied by [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] forces. In the [[Ottoman Empire]], Herzegovina was organized as a county (''[[sanjak]]'') within the province (''[[pashaluk]]'') of [[Bosnia (region)|Bosnia]]. From 1833 to 1851, Herzegovina was a separate [[Pashaluk of Herzegovina|pashaluk]] ruled by [[vizier]] [[Ali-paša Rizvanbegović]]. After his death, the pashaluks of Bosnia and Herzegovina were merged. The new joint entity was after 1853 commonly referred to as [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. Throughout the mid-19th century, Herzegovina was a target of expansion of the young [[Montenegrin]] state in the name of the liberation of the [[Serbia]]n people from [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] rule. Herzegovinian Serbs and Croats actively participated in the Montenegrin efforts to liberate them and to that end, they frequently rose in rebellion against the Ottoman rule. These efforts culminated in 1875 and 1876, during the ''[[Nevesinjska puška]]'' uprising. Montenegro did succeed in liberating and annexing large parts of Herzegovina before the [[Berlin Congress]] of 1878, including the Niksic area.
In 1878, Herzegovina, along with Bosnia, was occupied by [[Austria-Hungary]], only nominally remaining under Ottoman rule. This caused great resentment among its populace which resisted the invaders in small flare-ups of rebellious activity that ended in 1882. The Serbian population of Herzegovina and Bosnia had hoped that the province would be divided and annexed to Serbia and Montenegro. The occupation caused a temporary rift in the Serbo-Austrian relations and threatened to grow into an open conflict.
In 1908, Austria-Hungary annexed the province, leading to the [[Bosnian Crisis]], an international dispute that almost started a world war. The assassination of the [[Archduke Francis Ferdinand]] came as a result of the resentment of the Serbs of Bosnia and Herzegovina against Austro-Hungarian rule.
During [[World War One]], Herzegovina was a scene of inter-ethnic conflict. During the war started by [[Serbia]], the Austro-Hungarian government formed [[Šuckori]], Muslim and Croat militia units. [[Šuckori]] units were especially active in Herzegovina.
In 1918, Herzegovina became a part of the newly formed [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]] (later renamed [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]]). In 1941 Herzegovina fell under the rule of the Nazi-puppet state,<ref>http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-1413183/Independent-State-of-Croatia</ref><ref>[http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?lang=en&ModuleId=10005456 [[USHMM]] about Independent State of Croatia]</ref> the [[Independent State of Croatia]] and the terror against the Serbian population intensified to the point of a genocide in the early months of the occupation. From 1941 to 1945, Herzegovina was a battling ground in conflicts between Croatian [[Ustaše]], Serbian [[Chetniks]], and the pan-Yugoslav [[Yugoslav Partisans|Partisans]]. In 1945, Bosnia and Herzegovina became one of the republics of [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|SFR Yugoslavia]]. It remained so until the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.
==Political status==
In the modern Bosnian-Herzegovinian state, Herzegovina is divided between two entities, [[Republika Srpska]] and the [[Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina]] (see [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] and [[History of Bosnia and Herzegovina]]). [[Republika Srpska]]'s part of Herzegovina, commonly referred to as [[East Herzegovina]] or, as of late, [[Trebinje Region]] is administratively divided into municipalities of [[Trebinje]], [[Bileća]], [[Gacko]], [[Nevesinje]], [[Ljubinje]], [[Berkovići]], [[Istočni Mostar]] and [[Foča]]. Within the [[Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina]], Herzegovina is administratively divided between the cantons of [[Herzegovina-Neretva Canton|Herzegovina-Neretva]], [[West Herzegovina Canton|West Herzegovina]] and includes part of [[West Bosnia Canton|Canton 10]].
==Geography==
[[Image:Hercegovacko Neretvanski kanton.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Herzegovina in spring]]
The terrain of Herzegovina is mostly hilly [[karst]] with high mountains in the north 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, through 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 settlements alongside 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 their history and rivers; village of [[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: [[Prozor]], [[Široki Brijeg]], [[Posušje]], [[Čitluk]], [[Grude]], [[Nevesinje]], [[Ulog]], [[Gacko]], [[Bileća]], [[Ljubinje]], [[Ravno]] 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 River (Neretva)|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==
<gallery>
Image:Mostar1.jpg|[[Mostar]]
Image:Mostarbridge2004.jpg|The "Old Bridge" ("Stari most") in [[Mostar]], rebuilt in 2004.
Image:NeumCoastBH.jpg|[[Neum]] and the Herzegovinian coast.
Image:Pocitelj.PNG|[[Počitelj]], Old town
Image:IMG_0899.jpg|Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, near the mountain Ivan
Image:Trebinje.jpg|[[Trebinje]]
Image:Neretva in Mostar.JPG|River [[Neretva]] in [[Mostar]], 2004
</gallery>
==See also==
*[[Herceg Novi]]
*[[Bosnia (region)]]
*[[Bosanska Krajina]]
*[[Sutjeska National Park]]
==External links==
*[http://www.visit-bosniaherzegovina.com/ Visit Bosnia and Herzegovina]
*[http://www.hercegovina.ba/ Tourism in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton]
*[http://www.rb-donjahercegovina.ba/ Culture of Lower Herzegovina]
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