Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Encyclopedia
Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina form one of the three constitutive nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina
.
There is no precise data regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina's population since the last war. Ethnic cleansing within Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s saw the vast majority of Croats move and take up residence in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
, as well as Croatia
. It is estimated that there are approximately 571,317 Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to 2000 data from the CIA World Factbook, Bosnia and Herzegovina is ethnically 14.3% Croat.
and Romans
in that area, which they soon assimilate in the early seventh century, during the great migration of the Slavs
. They accepted Christianity and develop their own culture and art, they form their own political institutions and soon their own kingdom
. The Croats formed two principalities: Pannonian Croatia
in the north and Littoral Croatia in the south. Red Croatia
, southern from Littoral Croatia, was land of few minor states. One of the most important events of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina in early medieval age is First Croatian Assembly held in 753 in Županjac
(present-day Tomislavgrad
). Second one is coronation of first King of Croatia Tomislav in cca. 925, in fields of Županjac
. After that Croats lived in Kingdom of Croatia
. Basic feature of that period in Croatia is isolation from European cultural and political flow which resulted in small number of secular monuments, exception are tens of thousands of Stećak
. Territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina was divided in few independent administrative units: Bosnia, Hum
, Travunia
, Soli
, Usora and Završje
.
. As Bosnian king Tvrtko
conquered part of Croatian Kingdom and as House of Šubić was weaken, Bosnia and Herzegovina feld under new state, Bosnian Kingdom, so did Bosnian Croats, even though, part of Bosnia and Herzegovina was still under Kingdom of Croatia. Regarding religion, Bosnia was closer to Croatia rather then Orthodox lands to the east, Bosnian Diocese is mention as Catholic in 11th Century, and later falls under jurisdiction of Archdiocese of Split and in 12th Century under jurisdiction of Dubrovnik Diocese.. Another connection of Bosnia with Croatia is that Bosnian rulers always used Croatian political title "ban
". Specific religion in medieval Bosnia was Bogomilism
and Bosnian Church
, so some of the notable medieval Bosnian Croats were followers of this religion, like Croatian duke Hrvoje Hrvatinić.
invaded Europe, and occupied Bosnia and much of present day Croatia for centuries to come. Many Croats living in Bosnia converted to Islam during this time period, and their numbers in areas shrank as many fled from fear of conversion and persecution, as the Christian folk were mistreated as low-grade citizens. The region henceforth became known as "Turkish Croatia" in Croatian literature.
From 1815 to 1878 Ottoman authority in Bosnia and Herzegovina was decreasing. After reorganization of Ottoman army and abolition of Jannisaries, Bosnian nobility revolted, led by Husein Gradaščević
who wanted to establish autonomy of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to stop any further social reforms. During 19th Century, various reforms were made in order to increase freedom of religion which sharped relations between of Catholics and Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Soon, economical decay happen and nationalist
influence from Europe came to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since state administration was very unorganized and since national conscience was very strong among Christian population, Ottoman Empire lost control over Bosnia and Herzegovina. On June 19, 1875 Catholic Croats, led by Don Ivan Musić, revolted because of high taxes in West Herzegovina
. Soon after, Orthodox population also revolted in East Herzegovina, which led to Herzegovina Uprising
. Turks were unable to defeat rebels, so Serbia and Montenegro used their weakness and attacked Ottoman Empire in 1876, soon Russian Empire
done the same. Turks lost the war in 1878, and this resulted with over 150,000 Croatian refugees who went in Croatia. After that, after Congress of Berlin
was held in same year, Bosnia and Herzegovina got new ruler, Austria-Hungary
.
was formed, that included most of western Herzegovina and parts of central Bosnia. From 1941 to 1945, most of Bosnia and Herzegovina was a part of the Axis Ustasha Independent State of Croatia
. After 1945, the current state of Bosnia and Herzegovina was created under the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
as the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
. On April 8, 1992, the "Socialist" was dropped and was renamed the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Official Yugoslav census data shows that the total number of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina has increased in almost every census, asides from between 1971 and 1981. Despite this, their total percentage of the total population has decreased.
Prior the war in 1991, Croats made up 17.3% of the population, less than in previous years. From 1971 to 1991, the Croat percentage fell due to emigration into Croatia and lands of Western Europe. This fact should be taken into account for any estimation, regional or for Bosnia and Herzegovina
as a whole. Nevertheless, the fall in population percentage is only absent in western Herzegovina municipalities where Croats account for more than 98% of population.
The majority of Croats live in Western Herzegovina, Western Bosnia, Central Bosnia and Posavina (BiH Croats 1991). The war saw a large scale of ethnic cleansing and the migration of populations on all sides. Municipalities in which Croats are the majority in Bosnia and Herzegovina
today: Mostar
, Stolac
, Ravno
, Čapljina
, Neum
, Čitluk
, Grude
, Kiseljak
, Kreševo
, Livno
, Ljubuški
, Kupres
, Dobretići
, Odžak
, Domaljevac-Šamac
, Orašje
, Posušje
, Prozor-Rama
, Široki Brijeg
, Tomislavgrad
, Vitez
, Žepče
, Usora, Novi Travnik
and Busovača
.
. It helps educate Croatian youths by granting university scholarships, and works to promote culture. It has dozens of branches throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, as well as the Croatian diaspora. In the diaspora it is one of the main concert organizers for Croatian artists.
The University of Mostar
is the only Croatian language
institute of higher education in the country. Many of the nation's Croats also attend universities in Croatia, with the University of Zagreb
being the most popular.
There are currently two major Croatian music festivals in the country: Etnofest Neum and Melodije Mostara
. These festivals regularly attract the best native Bosnian and Herzegovinian Croat singers as well as top artists within Croatia itself.
Popular Croatian musicians coming from the country include Bijelo Dugme
's Željko Bebek
, Mate Bulić
, Ivan Mikulić
, Boris Novković
, Vesna Pisarović
and the group Feminnem
.
. From the 19th-20th centuries, Father Ivan Franjo Jukić, Antun Branko Šimić
, Musa Ćazim Ćatić
, are well known for their works.
In the Yugoslav period Ivo Andrić
became the most well-known ethnic Croat writer from Bosnia and Herzegovina. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature
in 1961.
Modern-day writers from Bosnia and Herzegovina today include Mirko Vidović
, Željko Ivanković
, and Miljenko Jergović
.
. There are also dioceses centered in Banja Luka
and in Mostar
, which is the largest. Vinko Puljić
is the current Cardinal
and Archbishop of Vrhbosna
.
The parish of Međugorje is a significant Marian shrine which attracts approximately one million visitors annually. It became a popular site of religious pilgrimage due to reports of apparitions of the Virgin Mary
to six local Catholics in 1981. Over a thousand hotel
and hostel beds are available for religious tourism
.
The Cathedral of Jesus' Heart
in Sarajevo
is the largest cathedral
in Bosnia and Herzegovina
, and is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vrhbosna
. The other three Roman Catholic cathedrals in Bosnia and Herzegovina are: the Cathedral of Saint Bonaventure
in Banja Luka
, the Cathedral of Mary the Mother of the Church in Mostar
, and Cathedral of the Birth of Mary
in Trebinje
.
There are numerous monasteries throughout the region. The oldest is the 14th century Monastery of the Holy Spirit located in Fojnica
in central Bosnia. It houses a large library filled with many historical documents dating back to medieval Bosnia.
Two other well-known monasteries are the Guča Gora Monastery
and Kraljeva Sutjeska Monastery. Both are located in central Bosnia, near Travnik
and Kakanj
respectively. The rest of the monasteries in the region are: the Monastery of St. Anthony in Sarajevo
, the Monastery of St. Mark in Derventa
, Gorica Monastery in Livno
, and the Assumption of Mary Monastery in Prozor-Rama
.
NK Zrinjski Mostar, NK Široki Brijeg
, NK Žepče
, NK Posušje
, and HNK Orašje are some of the most successful. Collectively, they have won three national Cup
and five national Championships
since national competition began in 2000. Other Croatian-run clubs are NK Brotnjo
, NK SAŠK Napredak
, HNK Ljubuški
, HNK Sloga Uskoplje
and others. The clubs themselves are often among the nation's most multi-ethnic.
Prior to 2000, the Croats ran their own First League of Herzeg-Bosnia in football. However, they have joined the UEFA
-approved Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina
's league system. Bosnia and Herzegovina has produced many successful internationals, both for the Croatian national team
and the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina
.
.
Currently, there are several Croatian political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina, many corresponding to parties within Croatia itself. The Croatian Democratic Union
, Croatian Democratic Union 1990
, and the Croatian Party of Right are the most popular parties. The Croatian Peasant Party
, New Croatian Initiative
, Croatian Right Bloc
, People's Party Work for Betterment
are relatively minor Croatian parties.
In 2005, a conference on the Constitutional-law position of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina
was held in Neum. It addressed ways to fix the political system.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
.
There is no precise data regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina's population since the last war. Ethnic cleansing within Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s saw the vast majority of Croats move and take up residence in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the two political entities that compose the sovereign country of Bosnia and Herzegovina . The two entities are delineated by the Inter-Entity Boundary Line...
, as well as Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
. It is estimated that there are approximately 571,317 Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to 2000 data from the CIA World Factbook, Bosnia and Herzegovina is ethnically 14.3% Croat.
Kingdom of Croatia
Croats settled into the areas of modern Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in VII Century, finding IllyriansIllyrians
The Illyrians were a group of tribes who inhabited part of the western Balkans in antiquity and the south-eastern coasts of the Italian peninsula...
and Romans
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
in that area, which they soon assimilate in the early seventh century, during the great migration of the Slavs
Migration Period
The Migration Period, also called the Barbarian Invasions , was a period of intensified human migration in Europe that occurred from c. 400 to 800 CE. This period marked the transition from Late Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages...
. They accepted Christianity and develop their own culture and art, they form their own political institutions and soon their own kingdom
Kingdom of Croatia (medieval)
The Kingdom of Croatia , also known as the Kingdom of the Croats , was a medieval kingdom covering most of what is today Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Balkans.Established in 925, it ruled as a sovereign state for almost two centuries...
. The Croats formed two principalities: Pannonian Croatia
Pannonian Croatia
Pannonian Croatia was a medieval duchy from the 7th to the 10th century located in the Pannonian Plain approximately between the rivers Drava and Sava in today's Croatia, but at times also considerably to the south of the Sava. Its capital was Sisak...
in the north and Littoral Croatia in the south. Red Croatia
Red Croatia
Red Croatia , is a historical term used for the southeastern parts of Roman Dalmatia and some other territories, in including part of present-day Montenegro, greater part of Albania, the Herzegovina part of Bosnia and Herzegovina and southeastern Croatia, stretching across the Adriatic Sea.Another...
, southern from Littoral Croatia, was land of few minor states. One of the most important events of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina in early medieval age is First Croatian Assembly held in 753 in Županjac
Tomislavgrad
Tomislavgrad is a town and municipality in southwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is in the Canton 10 of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Herzegovina region.- Name :...
(present-day Tomislavgrad
Tomislavgrad
Tomislavgrad is a town and municipality in southwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is in the Canton 10 of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Herzegovina region.- Name :...
). Second one is coronation of first King of Croatia Tomislav in cca. 925, in fields of Županjac
Tomislavgrad
Tomislavgrad is a town and municipality in southwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is in the Canton 10 of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Herzegovina region.- Name :...
. After that Croats lived in Kingdom of Croatia
Kingdom of Croatia (medieval)
The Kingdom of Croatia , also known as the Kingdom of the Croats , was a medieval kingdom covering most of what is today Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Balkans.Established in 925, it ruled as a sovereign state for almost two centuries...
. Basic feature of that period in Croatia is isolation from European cultural and political flow which resulted in small number of secular monuments, exception are tens of thousands of Stećak
Stecak
The Stećci , are monumental medieval tombstones that lie scattered across Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the border parts of Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia. An estimated 60,000 are found within the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the rest of 10,000 are found in Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro...
. Territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina was divided in few independent administrative units: Bosnia, Hum
Hum
A hum is a sound made by humming a wordless tone with the mouth opened or closed, forcing the sound to emerge from the nose. To hum is to produce such a sound, most often with a melody. It is difficult to hum with your nose pinched closed for more than a few seconds...
, Travunia
Travunia
Travunia was a medieval region, administrative unit and principality, which was part of Medieval Serbia , and in its last years, the Bosnian Kingdom . The county became hereditary in a number of noble houses, often kin to the ruling dynasty. The region came under Ottoman rule in 1482...
, Soli
Soli
Soli can refer to:* Soli, Cyprus, an ancient city on the island of Cyprus.* Soli, Cilicia, an ancient city in Cilicia, later renamed Pompeiopolis.* Soli, a 10th century name for Tuzla, a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina....
, Usora and Završje
Završje
-Croatia:* Završje, Primorje–Gorski Kotar County, HR-51312* Završje, Brod–Posavina County, HR-35252* Završje, Istria County, HR-52429* Završje, Požega-Slavonia County, HR-34322* Završje Belečko, HR-49254, Krapina–Zagorje County...
.
High and late middle age
In 1102 Croatia entered into a personal union with Kingdom of HungaryKingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
. As Bosnian king Tvrtko
Tvrtko I of Bosnia
Stjepan Tvrtko I was a ruler of medieval Bosnia. He ruled in 1353–1366 and again in 1367–1377 as Ban and in 1377–1391 as the first Bosnian King....
conquered part of Croatian Kingdom and as House of Šubić was weaken, Bosnia and Herzegovina feld under new state, Bosnian Kingdom, so did Bosnian Croats, even though, part of Bosnia and Herzegovina was still under Kingdom of Croatia. Regarding religion, Bosnia was closer to Croatia rather then Orthodox lands to the east, Bosnian Diocese is mention as Catholic in 11th Century, and later falls under jurisdiction of Archdiocese of Split and in 12th Century under jurisdiction of Dubrovnik Diocese.. Another connection of Bosnia with Croatia is that Bosnian rulers always used Croatian political title "ban
Ban
Ban may refer to:* Ban , a decree that prohibits something, sometimes a form of censorship* The imperial ban, a form of outlawry in the medieval Holy Roman Empire* Cherem, usually translated as the Ban, a form of excommunication in Judaism...
". Specific religion in medieval Bosnia was Bogomilism
Bogomilism
Bogomilism was a Gnostic religiopolitical sect founded in the First Bulgarian Empire by the priest Bogomil during the reign of Tsar Petar I in the 10th century...
and Bosnian Church
Bosnian Church
The Bosnian Church is historically thought to be an indigenous branch of the Bogomils that existed in Bosnia during the Middle Ages. Adherents of the church called themselves simply Krstjani...
, so some of the notable medieval Bosnian Croats were followers of this religion, like Croatian duke Hrvoje Hrvatinić.
Ottoman Empire
Over the centuries Croatia saw its land shrink as the Ottoman TurksOttoman Turks
The Ottoman Turks were the Turkish-speaking population of the Ottoman Empire who formed the base of the state's military and ruling classes. Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks is scarce, but they take their Turkish name, Osmanlı , from the house of Osman I The Ottoman...
invaded Europe, and occupied Bosnia and much of present day Croatia for centuries to come. Many Croats living in Bosnia converted to Islam during this time period, and their numbers in areas shrank as many fled from fear of conversion and persecution, as the Christian folk were mistreated as low-grade citizens. The region henceforth became known as "Turkish Croatia" in Croatian literature.
From 1815 to 1878 Ottoman authority in Bosnia and Herzegovina was decreasing. After reorganization of Ottoman army and abolition of Jannisaries, Bosnian nobility revolted, led by Husein Gradaščević
Husein Gradašcevic
Husein-kapetan Gradaščević was a Bosnian Muslim general who fought for Bosnian autonomy in the Ottoman Empire. He is often referred to as "Zmaj od Bosne", meaning "Dragon of Bosnia"...
who wanted to establish autonomy of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to stop any further social reforms. During 19th Century, various reforms were made in order to increase freedom of religion which sharped relations between of Catholics and Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Soon, economical decay happen and nationalist
Nationalism
Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity. There are various definitions for what...
influence from Europe came to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since state administration was very unorganized and since national conscience was very strong among Christian population, Ottoman Empire lost control over Bosnia and Herzegovina. On June 19, 1875 Catholic Croats, led by Don Ivan Musić, revolted because of high taxes in West Herzegovina
Herzegovina
Herzegovina is the southern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While there is no official border distinguishing it from the Bosnian region, it is generally accepted that the borders of the region are Croatia to the west, Montenegro to the south, the canton boundaries of the Herzegovina-Neretva...
. Soon after, Orthodox population also revolted in East Herzegovina, which led to Herzegovina Uprising
Herzegovina Uprising
Several uprisings were led by Serbs and Croats in the region of Herzegovina, then under Ottoman rule:*1852-1878 Uprising*1875-1878 Uprising*1882 Uprising...
. Turks were unable to defeat rebels, so Serbia and Montenegro used their weakness and attacked Ottoman Empire in 1876, soon Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
done the same. Turks lost the war in 1878, and this resulted with over 150,000 Croatian refugees who went in Croatia. After that, after Congress of Berlin
Congress of Berlin
The Congress of Berlin was a meeting of the European Great Powers' and the Ottoman Empire's leading statesmen in Berlin in 1878. In the wake of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78, the meeting's aim was to reorganize the countries of the Balkans...
was held in same year, Bosnia and Herzegovina got new ruler, Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
.
Late history
In the 19th century with the Croatian national reawakening movements, acts were made to unite all Croats into one state. Such an act was realized only in 1939, when the Croatian Banate autonomous within the Kingdom of YugoslaviaKingdom of Yugoslavia
The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was a state stretching from the Western Balkans to Central Europe which existed during the often-tumultuous interwar era of 1918–1941...
was formed, that included most of western Herzegovina and parts of central Bosnia. From 1941 to 1945, most of Bosnia and Herzegovina was a part of the Axis Ustasha Independent State of Croatia
Independent State of Croatia
The Independent State of Croatia was a World War II puppet state of Nazi Germany, established on a part of Axis-occupied Yugoslavia. The NDH was founded on 10 April 1941, after the invasion of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers. All of Bosnia and Herzegovina was annexed to NDH, together with some parts...
. After 1945, the current state of Bosnia and Herzegovina was created under the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,...
as the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina , known until 1963 under the name of People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was a socialist state that was a constituent country of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia...
. On April 8, 1992, the "Socialist" was dropped and was renamed the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Population geography
Early population data comes from the Austro-Hungarian empire's censuses. After taking control of Bosnia and Herzgovina, the empire had a few censuses. After World War I the Yugoslav monarchy had two censuses.| Ethnic totals and percentages | |||||||||
| Year/Population | Croats | % | Total BiH Population | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1879 | 209,391 | 18.08% | 1,158,164 | ||||||
| 1885 | 265,788 | 19.88% | 1,336,091 | ||||||
| 1895 | 334,142 | 21.31% | 1,361,868 | ||||||
| 1910 | 434,061 | 22.87% | 1,898,044 | ||||||
| 1921 | 444,308 | 23.50% | 1,890,440 | ||||||
| 1931 | 547,949 | 23.58% | 2,323,555 | ||||||
| Official Population Census Results - note: some Croats declared themselves as Yugoslavs in some censuses | |||||||||
Official Yugoslav census data shows that the total number of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina has increased in almost every census, asides from between 1971 and 1981. Despite this, their total percentage of the total population has decreased.
| Ethnic totals and percentages | |||||||||
| Year/Population | Croats | % | Total BiH Population | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | 614,123 | 23.93% | 2,565,277 | ||||||
| 1953 | 654,229 | 22.97% | 2,847,790 | ||||||
| 1961 | 711,666 | 21.71% | 3,277,948 | ||||||
| 1971 | 772,491 | 20.62% | 3,746,111 | ||||||
| 1981 | 758,140 | 18.39% | 4,124.008 | ||||||
| 1991 | 760,852 | 17.38% | 4,377,053 | ||||||
| Official Population Census Results - note: some Croats declared themselves as Yugoslavs in some censuses | |||||||||
Prior the war in 1991, Croats made up 17.3% of the population, less than in previous years. From 1971 to 1991, the Croat percentage fell due to emigration into Croatia and lands of Western Europe. This fact should be taken into account for any estimation, regional or for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
as a whole. Nevertheless, the fall in population percentage is only absent in western Herzegovina municipalities where Croats account for more than 98% of population.
The majority of Croats live in Western Herzegovina, Western Bosnia, Central Bosnia and Posavina (BiH Croats 1991). The war saw a large scale of ethnic cleansing and the migration of populations on all sides. Municipalities in which Croats are the majority in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
today: Mostar
Mostar
Mostar is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the largest and one of the most important cities in the Herzegovina region and the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation. Mostar is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country...
, Stolac
Stolac
Stolac is a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in the southern part of Herzegovina. Administratively, it is part of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
, Ravno
Ravno
Ravno is a town and the seat of its municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entity. Ravno was a municipality until 1963, when it became a part of the Trebinje municipality...
, Čapljina
Capljina
Čapljina is a town and municipality of the same name in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Čapljina is located on the border with Croatia a mere from the Adriatic Sea....
, Neum
Neum
Neum is the only coastal town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It comprises of coastline, the country's only access to the Adriatic Sea. As of 2009, municipal population was of 4,605 and the one of Neum main town was of 4,268 .-Features:Neum has steep hills, sandy beaches, and several large tourist...
, Čitluk
Citluk
Čitluk is a town and municipality located in Herzegovina, in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a municipality of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
, Grude
Grude
Grude is a town and municipality in western Bosnia and Herzegovina.- Geography :Grude is 49 kilometers from Mostar,19 kilometers from Imotski, and 100 km from Split....
, Kiseljak
Kiseljak
Kiseljak is a small town and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, located northwest of Sarajevo and south of Zenica. Kiseljak lies in the valley of the rivers Fojnica , Lepenica and Kreševka, which are a tributary of the Bosna, and it is on the intersection of roads from Visoko, Fojnica,...
, Kreševo
Kreševo
Kreševo is a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located in the Central Bosnia Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entity.-Settlements:• Alagići• Bjelovići• Botunja• Bukva• Crkvenjak• Crnički Kamenik• Crnići• Deževice...
, Livno
Livno
Livno is a town in western Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Canton 10 of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, located between Tomislavgrad, Glamoč, Bosansko Grahovo, Kupres and the Croatian border.- Position :...
, Ljubuški
Ljubuški
Ljubuški is a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in thewestern part of Herzegovina.-1971:28.269 total* Croats - 26.198 * Muslims by nationality - 1.812 * Serbs - 118 * Yugoslavs - 49...
, Kupres
Kupres
Kupres can refer to:* Kupres, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a town and municipality in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina* Kupres, Republika Srpska, a municipality in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina...
, Dobretići
Dobretici
Dobretići is a village and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is one of the youngest and smallest municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina hence being one of the poorest municipalities as well...
, Odžak
Odžak
Odžak is a town in the northern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, located near the river Sava, from the border with Croatia. Odžak is in the Posavina Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.-Demographics:...
, Domaljevac-Šamac
Domaljevac-Šamac
The municipality of Domaljevac-Šamac is one of the newly created municipalities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located in the Posavina Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.-Ethnic composition, 1991 census, town of Domaljevac:total: 4,152...
, Orašje
Orašje
Orašje is a town in the northern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, located on the river Sava on the border with Croatia. Orašje is the center of the Posavina Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
, Posušje
Posušje
Posušje is a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in the West Herzegovina Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entity.-Name:...
, Prozor-Rama
Prozor-Rama
Prozor-Rama is a municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina.The town of Prozor is located in the northern part of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton...
, Široki Brijeg
Široki Brijeg
-Name:The name of the city means "the wide hill" in Croatian . The city is also sometime referred to as "Široki Brig" and among the inhabitants of Herzegovina simply as "Široki" . Between 1945 and 1990, the name was officially Lištica, after the river that flows through it.-Geography:The river...
, Tomislavgrad
Tomislavgrad
Tomislavgrad is a town and municipality in southwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is in the Canton 10 of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Herzegovina region.- Name :...
, Vitez
Vitez
Vitez is a town and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is administratively part of the Central Bosnia Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.-Name:...
, Žepče
Žepce
Žepče is a town and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, located between Doboj and Zenica. It is administratively part of the Zenica-Doboj Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.-About Žepče:...
, Usora, Novi Travnik
Novi Travnik
Novi Travnik is a town and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, located south of Travnik on the road to Bugojno...
and Busovača
Busovaca
Busovača is a small town and municipality in the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is from Sarajevo, from Zenica, and from Travnik.-History:During the Bosnian War, the city saw heavy fighting between the Bosnian Army and the Croatian Defence Council...
.
Culture
One of the most important cultural institutions for the Bosnian and Herzegovinian Croats is the Croatian Cultural Society NapredakHKD Napredak
HKD Napredak is a cultural society of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina...
. It helps educate Croatian youths by granting university scholarships, and works to promote culture. It has dozens of branches throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, as well as the Croatian diaspora. In the diaspora it is one of the main concert organizers for Croatian artists.
The University of Mostar
University of Mostar
The University of Mostar is the only Croatian language university in Bosnia and Herzegovina.Roots of University of Mostar date back to 1895 when the Franciscan theological school was established. In 1950 Higher teacher-training school started with its work in Mostar...
is the only Croatian language
Croatian language
Croatian is the collective name for the standard language and dialects spoken by Croats, principally in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serbian province of Vojvodina and other neighbouring countries...
institute of higher education in the country. Many of the nation's Croats also attend universities in Croatia, with the University of Zagreb
University of Zagreb
The University of Zagreb is the biggest Croatian university and the oldest continuously operating university in the area covering Central Europe south of Vienna and all of Southeastern Europe...
being the most popular.
There are currently two major Croatian music festivals in the country: Etnofest Neum and Melodije Mostara
Melodije Mostara
Melodije Mostara is a music festival held annually in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The festival was first held in 1995 and has been held annually since then...
. These festivals regularly attract the best native Bosnian and Herzegovinian Croat singers as well as top artists within Croatia itself.
Popular Croatian musicians coming from the country include Bijelo Dugme
Bijelo dugme
Bijelo dugme was a highly influential former Yugoslav rock band, based in Sarajevo. Active between 1974 and 1989, it is widely considered to have been the most popular band ever to exist in former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and one of the most important acts of the Yugoslav rock...
's Željko Bebek
Željko Bebek
Želimir "Željko" Bebek is a popular Bosnian Croat singer most notable for being the lead vocalist of Bijelo dugme from 1974 to 1984....
, Mate Bulić
Mate Bulic
Mate Bulić is a Bosnian Croat pop/folk singer.Many of his songs are influenced by the region of Herzegovina. Bulić finished his schooling in Čitluk and at Mostar, where he graduated in electrical engineering...
, Ivan Mikulić
Ivan Mikulic
Ivan Mikulić is a Bosnian Croat singer, best known outside his country for having represented Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004, singing "You Are The Only One"...
, Boris Novković
Boris Novkovic
Boris Novković is a Croatian pop singer. Born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina in the former Yugoslavia, his interest in a musical career was cultivated by his family background, with a mother who taught music, and a father, Đorđe Novković, who was a leading Croatian songwriter and music manager...
, Vesna Pisarović
Vesna Pisarovic
Vesna Pisarović is a Croatian pop singer.Pisarović was born in Brčko, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yugoslavia and grew up in Požega, Croatia, a part of the same country until she was 13...
and the group Feminnem
Feminnem
Feminnem is a girl group from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina composed of three members, Neda Parmać, Nika Antolos, and Pamela Ramljak. They have represented both countries at the Eurovision Song Contest; Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2005 and Croatia in 2010....
.
Literature
Croatian literature in Bosnia and Herzegovina has its foundations in the 17th century writer Matija DivkovićMatija Divkovic
Matija Divković was a Croatian writer, the founder of the Croatian literature in Bosnia.-Life:Divković was born in Jelaške near Vareš in Bosnia. He probably joined the Franciscans in the nearest monastery in Olovo and was schooled there. He continued his studies in Italy, but then returned to...
. From the 19th-20th centuries, Father Ivan Franjo Jukić, Antun Branko Šimić
Antun Branko Šimic
Antun Branko Šimić was a Herzegovinian Croat expressionist poet.-Life:He was born in Drinovci near Grude on November 18, 1898, in the family of Vida and Martin Šimić. He attended primary school in his native village, and then the first three forms of the Franciscan classical grammar school in...
, Musa Ćazim Ćatić
Musa Cazim Catic
Musa Ćazim Ćatić was a Bosnian Muslim poet of Croat orientation. He is currently featured on the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina 50 km note ....
, are well known for their works.
In the Yugoslav period Ivo Andrić
Ivo Andric
Ivan "Ivo" Andrić was a Yugoslav novelist, short story writer, and the 1961 winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. His writings dealt mainly with life in his native Bosnia under the Ottoman Empire...
became the most well-known ethnic Croat writer from Bosnia and Herzegovina. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature
Nobel Prize in Literature
Since 1901, the Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded annually to an author from any country who has, in the words from the will of Alfred Nobel, produced "in the field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction"...
in 1961.
Modern-day writers from Bosnia and Herzegovina today include Mirko Vidović
Mirko Vidovic
Mirko Vidović , is a Croatian writer from Bosnia and Hercegovina.-Early life and education:He attended primary school at his native village of Bila near Livno in the period 1947-1951, and lower gymnasium in 1952-1955 in Odžak and Bosanski Šamac. That was the first time that his name showed up as a...
, Željko Ivanković
Željko Ivanković
Željko Ivanković .- Bibliography :* Nesto od onog što jest, Sarajevo, 1978 * Utrka puzeva, Sarajevo, 1982...
, and Miljenko Jergović
Miljenko Jergovic
Miljenko Jergović is a Bosnian prose writer. Jergović currently lives and works in Zagreb, Croatia, having moved there in 1993....
.
Religion
Croats form the core of the Catholic Church in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The metropolitan diocese is the Archdiocese of VrhbosnaRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Vrhbosna
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vrhbosna is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in eastern Bosnia. Its episcopal see is the city of Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was elevated to an archdiocese on July 5, 1881. The Diocese of Vrhbosna is much older...
. There are also dioceses centered in Banja Luka
Roman Catholic Diocese of Banja Luka
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Banja Luka a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in western Bosnia. The diocese is centred in the city of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.Erected on July 5, 1881, the diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna, as the Diocese of...
and in Mostar
Roman Catholic Diocese of Mostar-Duvno
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Mostar-Duvno is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church encompassing Herzegovina. The diocese, as well as the Franciscan Province, is centred in the city of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was formed on July 5, 1881...
, which is the largest. Vinko Puljić
Vinko Puljic
Vinko Puljić is a Bosnian Croat Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the sixth and current Archbishop of Vrhbosna, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1994.-Early life and education:...
is the current Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
and Archbishop of Vrhbosna
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vrhbosna
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vrhbosna is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in eastern Bosnia. Its episcopal see is the city of Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was elevated to an archdiocese on July 5, 1881. The Diocese of Vrhbosna is much older...
.
The parish of Međugorje is a significant Marian shrine which attracts approximately one million visitors annually. It became a popular site of religious pilgrimage due to reports of apparitions of the Virgin Mary
Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic)
Roman Catholic veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary is based on Holy Scripture: In the fullness of time, God sent his son, born of a virgin. The mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God through Mary thus signifies her honour as Mother of God...
to six local Catholics in 1981. Over a thousand hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
and hostel beds are available for religious tourism
Religious tourism
Religious tourism, also commonly referred to as faith tourism, is a form of tourism, whereby people of faith travel individually or in groups for pilgrimage, missionary, or leisure purposes. The world's largest form of mass religious tourism takes place at the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca,...
.
The Cathedral of Jesus' Heart
Cathedral of Jesus' Heart
The Cathedral of Jesus' Heart in Sarajevo, commonly referred as the Sarajevo Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the seat of the Vrhbosanski Archbishop, currently Cardinal Vinko Puljić, and center of Catholic worship in the city...
in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
is the largest cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, and is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vrhbosna
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vrhbosna
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vrhbosna is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in eastern Bosnia. Its episcopal see is the city of Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was elevated to an archdiocese on July 5, 1881. The Diocese of Vrhbosna is much older...
. The other three Roman Catholic cathedrals in Bosnia and Herzegovina are: the Cathedral of Saint Bonaventure
Cathedral of Saint Bonaventure
The Cathedral of Saint Bonaventure in Banja Luka is one of four Roman Catholic cathedrals in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the seat of the Banja Luka Bishopric currently led by Bishop Franjo Komarica....
in Banja Luka
Banja Luka
-History:The name "Banja Luka" was first mentioned in a document dated February 6, 1494, but Banja Luka's history dates back to ancient times. There is a substantial evidence of the Roman presence in the region during the first few centuries A.D., including an old fort "Kastel" in the centre of...
, the Cathedral of Mary the Mother of the Church in Mostar
Mostar
Mostar is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the largest and one of the most important cities in the Herzegovina region and the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation. Mostar is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country...
, and Cathedral of the Birth of Mary
Cathedral of the Birth of Mary
The Cathedral of the Birth of Mary in Trebinje is one of four Roman Catholic cathedrals in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the seat of the Trebinje-Mrkan Bishopric. Ratko Perić acts as bishop to the Trebinje-Mrkan Bishopric as well as the Mostar-Duvno Bishopric....
in Trebinje
Trebinje
Trebinje is the southernmost municipality and town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is administratively part of the Republika Srpska entity and is located in southeastern Herzegovina, some from the Adriatic Sea....
.
There are numerous monasteries throughout the region. The oldest is the 14th century Monastery of the Holy Spirit located in Fojnica
Fojnica
Fojnica is a town and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, located west of the capital Sarajevo. It lies in the valley of the Fojnička River, tributary of the river Bosna...
in central Bosnia. It houses a large library filled with many historical documents dating back to medieval Bosnia.
Two other well-known monasteries are the Guča Gora Monastery
Guča Gora Monastery
The Guča Gora Monastery is a Roman Catholic Franciscan monastery in a small village Guča Gora east of Travnik in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the mid-19th century Bosnian Franciscans decided to build the monastery in the area of Travnik. On May 30, 1859, the General Minister of the Franciscan Order...
and Kraljeva Sutjeska Monastery. Both are located in central Bosnia, near Travnik
Travnik
Travnik is a city and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, 90 km west of Sarajevo. It is the capital of the Central Bosnia Canton, and is located in the Travnik Municipality. Travnik today has some 27,000 residents, with a metro population that is probably close to 70,000 people...
and Kakanj
Kakanj
Kakanj , is an industrial town and a municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, located north of Visoko and southeast of Zenica. It was built along the slopes of wide hills on either side of the Zgošća river...
respectively. The rest of the monasteries in the region are: the Monastery of St. Anthony in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
, the Monastery of St. Mark in Derventa
Derventa
Derventa is the name of a town and municipality of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the northern part of Republika Srpska just northwest of the town of Doboj, in the Posavina region...
, Gorica Monastery in Livno
Livno
Livno is a town in western Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Canton 10 of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, located between Tomislavgrad, Glamoč, Bosansko Grahovo, Kupres and the Croatian border.- Position :...
, and the Assumption of Mary Monastery in Prozor-Rama
Prozor-Rama
Prozor-Rama is a municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina.The town of Prozor is located in the northern part of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton...
.
Sport
Croatian-run clubs in Bosnia and Herzegovina number among the country's most successful. They are well-represented in terms of national championships in relation to the percentage of Croats in the population. In footballFootball (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
NK Zrinjski Mostar, NK Široki Brijeg
NK Široki Brijeg
NK Široki Brijeg is a Bosnian-Herzegovinian team from the town of Široki Brijeg that currently plays in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
, NK Žepče
NK Žepce
NK Žepče was a football club from Žepče, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The team was known as NK Zovko Žepče, until 2003, when Limorad became their primary sponsor. Since 2004/2005 season, there are no sponsors in the name....
, NK Posušje
NK Posušje
HŠK Posušje is a defunct football club based in Posušje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club is in the First League of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was founded in 1950. The club plays at the Mokri Dolac Stadium which has a capacity of 8,000...
, and HNK Orašje are some of the most successful. Collectively, they have won three national Cup
Football Cup of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by clubs from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The winner qualifies for the UEFA Cup.Until 1999/2000 season, three separated cups were organized...
and five national Championships
Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the top football league in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the country's most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs with last two teams relegated at the end of every season....
since national competition began in 2000. Other Croatian-run clubs are NK Brotnjo
NK Brotnjo
NK Brotnjo is a football club was founded in 1955 and based out of Čitluk, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club is in the First League of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. NK Brotnjo plays out of Bare Stadium which has a capacity of 8,000....
, NK SAŠK Napredak
NK SAŠK Napredak
NK Famos-SAŠK Napredak is a football club from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It came into existence in 2000 through the merger of SAŠK with NK Napredak ....
, HNK Ljubuški
HNK Ljubuški
NK BIGESTE is a football club from Ljubuški, Bosnia and Herzegovina.The club was established 2005.Bigeste is named after the Roman camp near Ljubuški.The club plays its games at Babovac Stadium.The club is currently a member of the second division of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina jug...
, HNK Sloga Uskoplje
HNK Sloga Uskoplje
HNK Sloga Uskoplje is a Croat-founded football club from Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje, Bosnia and Herzegovina....
and others. The clubs themselves are often among the nation's most multi-ethnic.
Prior to 2000, the Croats ran their own First League of Herzeg-Bosnia in football. However, they have joined the UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
-approved Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina |football]] in Bosnia and Herzegovina based in Sarajevo.It operates the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team, the Bosnia and Herzegovina national under-21 football team, Bosnia and Herzegovina...
's league system. Bosnia and Herzegovina has produced many successful internationals, both for the Croatian national team
Croatia national football team
The Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by former player Slaven Bilić...
and the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team is the national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, governed by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
.
Politics
Historically, the Croats formed their own parties with the end of Ottoman rule. The Croatian National Community and the Croatian Catholic Association took part in the country's first elections in 1910Bosnia and Herzegovina parliamentary election, 1910
-Results:...
.
Currently, there are several Croatian political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina, many corresponding to parties within Croatia itself. The Croatian Democratic Union
Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a political party of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is an observer member of the European People's Party ....
, Croatian Democratic Union 1990
Croatian Democratic Union 1990
The Croatian Democratic Union 1990 is a political party of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It split of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is led by Božo Ljubić. In the 2006 it was the leading member of the Croats Together coalition....
, and the Croatian Party of Right are the most popular parties. The Croatian Peasant Party
Croatian Peasant Party (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
The Croatian Peasant Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a Croatian political party in Bosnia and Herzegovina.In 2007, the division of the Croatian Peasant Party in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the New Croatian Initiative merged. The New Croatian Initiative was formed as a splinter group from the...
, New Croatian Initiative
New Croatian Initiative
The New Croatian Initiative is a Croatian political party in Bosnia and Herzegovina.At the last legislative elections, 5 October 2002, the party won 1.4% of the popular vote and 1 out of 42 seats in the House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2 out of 140 seats in the House of...
, Croatian Right Bloc
Croatian Right Bloc
The Croatian Right Bloc is a Croatian political party in Bosnia and Herzegovina.At the last legislative elections, 5 October 2002, the party won no seats in the House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but 1 out of 140 seats in the House of Representatives of the Federation of Bosnia...
, People's Party Work for Betterment
People's Party Work for Betterment
People's Party Work for Betterment is a multi-ethnic party in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which enjoys support from all ethnic groups, but most of its members and voters are Croats. It was founded and run by Mladen Ivanković-Lijanović, from Široki Brijeg...
are relatively minor Croatian parties.
In 2005, a conference on the Constitutional-law position of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Constitutional-law position of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Constitutional-law position of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina - language, education, culture and media was a conference held in Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina on October 27 and 28th 2005....
was held in Neum. It addressed ways to fix the political system.
Literature
- Bove, Laurence F.; Duhan-Kaplan, Laura. From the Eye of the Storm: Regional Conflicts and the Philosophy of Peace. Amsterdam: Atlanta. ISBN 90-5183-870-0
- Džino, Danijel. Becoming Slav, Becoming Croat: Identity Transformations in Post-Roman and Early Medieval Dalmatia. Leiden: Koninklijke Brill. ISBN 978 90 04 18646 0