Sarajevo
Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and one of the most important cities in the Balkans. Its population was 429,672 according to the 1991 census, and is estimated to be around 300,000 residents today. Sarajevo was founded by the Ottomans in 1461. The city gained historical notoriety in 1914 as the site of the assassination that sparked World War I. Seventy years later, Sarajevo was in a more favorable historical spotlight as the host city for the 1984 Winter Olympics. From 1992-1995, Sarajevo endured over three years of siege by the Bosnian Serb forces during the Yugoslav wars.
Nine years later, Sarajevo is well on its way to recovery as a modern European capital. Sarajevo is part of Canton Sarajevo, one of the ten Cantons in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is home to a variety of important historical structures such as the Gazi Husrev-Beg Mosque and the Cathedral of Jesus' Heart. The Sarajevo Film Festival is held in the city every summer. The Bašćaršija Nights, the Sarajevo Winter Festival, and the Sarajevo Jazz Festival also take place in the city.
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Legislative BranchThe main legislative body of the city of Sarajevo is the ‘’Gradsko Vijeće’’, or City Council. The council is headed by the speaker, two deputies, and 24 council-members. As of 2004, members of the Sarajevo city council are:
Judicial BranchAs the center of Canton Sarajevo, the city is also the center of judicial procedures for the area, based on the post-transitional judicial system for the country as outlined by the High Representative and his plans for the “High Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils” of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2002. Sarajevo is also the center of law training and education for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.Demographics\n
Historically Sarajevo had always been a very populous city, but as the Ottoman Empire declined, so did its population. Although it had more than 80,000 people in the 1660s, by the end of World War II in the 1940s Sarajevo had only grown to some 115,000 people. Heavy industrialization and increased importance in regional affairs during the time of Yugoslavia resulted in a rapid increase however, and by the time of the 1984 Olympics the greater Sarajevo area had some 450,000 residents. Although exact ethnic distribution is unknown, of these 450,000, 49% were Muslim, 30% Orthodox Christians, and 7% Catholics, indicating relatively corresponding percentages of Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats.
The Yugoslav Wars and the resulting Siege of Sarajevo radically disrupted this order of things. The city was completely surrounded by Bosnian Serb forces, and it has been estimated that some 12,000 people were killed, with another 50,000 wounded. Combined with horrific living conditions forced upon by the aggressors, the result was thousands of refugees leaving the city. By 1996, Sarajevo had less than 300,000 residents. In the years that followed, a tremendous influx of returning refugees and people from a war torn countryside has resulted in the city population once again going above 300,000 residents. Today the population of the city is approaching 400,000 residents. The Bosniak population now comprises a significantly larger percentage of the populace, close to 80%, although Sarajevo still very much remains the multicultural city it has always been. The city population has gotten understandably older, with children less than 14 years of age making up some 15% of the population, adults 15-64 years of age 68%, and seniors older than 65 years of age 18%. The 6 billionth person in the World was estimated to have been born in Sarajevo in 1999.
EconomyThe economy of Sarajevo reached its peak during the 1980s, with increased tourism from the Olympics and extra government attention combined with massive investments. During the Siege of Sarajevo, the aggressor often purposely targeted structures key to the city’s economic health, including the headquarters of companies and many services. By 2004 the Sarajevo economy significantly recovered. Although far from perfect, it was well ahead of its status in the post war year of 1996. The city's employment still remains drastically below pre-war levels, at only 24% according to a 2003 estimate by the city of Sarajevo. Of the city's employed, 20% work in marketing, and 19% in industry. Many also work in construction. traffic and communications, tourism, hospitality services, and financial services among other fields. 78% of overall capital is held by state firms, although the best results and effectiveness of employment occur among private firms. Major industries of Sarajevo include:
Major CompaniesMajor companies based in Sarajevo include:
Communications and MediaAs the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo is naturally the main center of media and communications as well. Computers, once rare, are now fairly common, although Internet connection can still be relatively expensive. Many prefer to go to Internet clubs, which are now to be found by the dozens in all areas of the city. Newspapers are perhaps the most well established form of media. The two most popular and credible daily newspapers are the Oslobodenje and the Dnevni Avaz. After these two come a variety of magazines and political tabloids, such as Slobodna Bosna, Dani, and Ljiljan. In radio and television, the choices are somewhat limited. Many small independent radio stations exist, although the majority listen to the more established ones such as ISV Radio, Radio M, Radio Grad, and RSG. Radio Free Europe can still be heard, and several American and West European stations are available for listening as well. Several TV stations are widely viewed by the local population. In Sarajevo, FTV is the government station and one of the most popular. After FTV there are several other television stations, perhaps the most prominent being NTV Hayat (Independent Television Hayat), following which are television stations from Croatia and Serbia. Serbian Eastern European media giant RTV Pink is currently in the process of establishing itself in Bosnia and Herzegovina.MunicipalitiesThe city of Sarajevo consists of 4 Municipalities, territories that are somewhat the Bosnian equivalent of the United States’ counties or New York City’s boroughs. The Bosnian word for them is "Općina". They are, Centar (Center), Novi Grad, (New Town) Novo Sarajevo (New Sarajevo), and Stari Grad (Old Town). Like the city at large, all of the Municipalities have their own regional government, including a foreman, councils, and various Municipality services.CentarMain Article: Centar Municipality Centar Municipality is located in central Sarajevo, between the older parts of the city under Stari Grad Municipality, and the more modern parts of the city under the Municipalities Novi Grad and Novo Sarajevo. Centar Municipality houses most major branches of the city and national government. Today Centar Municipality has some 67,316 citizens.Novi GradMain Article: Novi Grad Municipality The Westernmost of the four Municipalities that make up the City of Sarajevo is Novi Grad Municipality. During the 1970s, Sarajevo was undergoing a rapid economic and cultural development, with great expansion focused on population and industry. Novi Grad Municipality was a direct result of this period of heavy growth, in which many acres of previously unused land were transformed into Communist urban centers filled with apartment buildings. By the time Novi Grad Municipality was formally recognized, it had some 60,000 citizens, in 18 neighborhoods.Novo SarajevoMain Article: Novo Sarajevo Municipality Novo Sarajevo Municipality (New Sarajevo) is also a product of Sarajevo's massive growth and development in the 1960s and 1970s. It is located in the middle of the Sarajevo field, predominantly on the Northern Bank of the Miljaćka, between Novi Grad and Centar Municipalities. Novo Sarajevo Municipality today has around 66,208 people, of which some two thirds are Bosniaks.Stari GradMain Article: Stari Grad Municipality Stari Grad Municipality is the oldest and most historically significant part of Sarajevo. At its heart is the Bascarsija, the old town market sector where the city was founded by the Ottomans in the 15th century. Stari Grad Municipality is characterized by its many religious structures, and examples of unique architecture. Stari Grad Municipality features most of the city's historical tourist attractions.SuburbsSarajevo’s suburbs are essentially the 5 Municipalities of Canton Sarajevo that are not included in Sarajevo’s official city limits. Of these 5, only two have a large enough population and are urbanized enough to be considered true suburbs. They are the cities of Ilidža and Vogošća, found in the Municipalities of the same name.IlidžaMain Article: Ilidža Ilidža is the chief suburb of Sarajevo, located just west of Novi Grad Municipality. It is the oldest inhabited part of Sarajevo. Ilidža had some 70,000 citizens prior to the Siege of Sarajevo. Today it is almost fully integrated into Sarajevo proper.VogošćaMain Article: Vogošća Vogošća is the secondary suburb of Sarajevo, located about 6 kilometers north of the city center and covering some 72km². Vogošća was the second most industrious and productive Municipality in the ex-Yugoslavia. Vogošća has a population of around 9000.NeighborhoodsLike many other major world cities, Sarajevo and its Municipalities are further split into neighborhoods. In Bosnia each Municipality has a number of neighborhoods that themselves have a small function in city government, as well as their own histories and notable features. Among the more prominent Sarajevo neighborhoods by Municipality are:
People\n
The people of Sarajevo are known as “Sarayliyas” (Spelled Sarajlijas in Bosnian). Sarayliyas are known for being very proud and patriotic of their city. The song by popular singer Kemal Monteno, “Sarajevo Ljubavi Moja” (Sarajevo Love of Mine) has come to somewhat epitomize this feeling among the people, and to this day remains something of an unofficial anthem for the city. Bosnians from outside Sarajevo are thought to have the sense that Sarajevo receives too much attention, but this is more of a sibling rivalry than an actual dislike for Sarajevo and its people. Within the city itself, the people of the various Municipalities have somewhat taken up the stereotypes of the regions they live in.
Famous SarayliyasPeople from Sarajevo who have achieved fame or note include:
TourismEver since the 1984 Olympics, Sarajevo has been a popular tourist attraction (save for the war years in the early 1990s). Indeed, even long before that Sarajevo was a popular stop for travelers in the Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian empires, and is mentioned in traveling books from all sides of Europe and the Middle East. Sarajevo overall has some 50 major hotels, along with numerous smaller motels and hospitality businesses. A variety of travel agencies in the city can help organize a visit. The most famous hotel in Sarajevo is the Holiday Inn, whose distinctive color and location has made it something of a city icon. Tourism is one of Sarajevo's major industries, and is constantly growing now with stability in the region. Sarajevo's mountain ranges and Olympic facilities make it an ideal location for winter sports. Another reason for Sarajevo's popularity among tourists is its 600 years of accumulated history, which have been impacted by both Western and Eastern empires.
TransportationGeographic and historical factors have combined to make Sarajevo a very small city for its population. Due to this and a lack of parking structures, it is very difficult to find places for parking. Sarajevo makes up for this with its traditional old world city planning, which allows for pedestrians to easily walk to wherever they need to go. Bicycling is also practiced, but is not very common. Public transportation is very common and has a long tradition in Sarajevo. The chief methods of this are tramways, trolleys, and buses. Tramways in fact, were first introduced to Europe in Sarajevo during the late 19th century by Austria-Hungarian officials. The Sarajevo tramway is 16 kilometers long. During the last years of Yugoslavia, a subway was planned as well but never implemented. Sarajevo International Airport (intl. code SJJ) is located just a few kilometers southwest of the city. During the war the airport was used for United Nations flights and humanitarian relief. Since the Dayton Accord in 1996, the airport has welcomed a thriving commercial flight business. A highway that connects Sarajevo with Budapest and central Europe is being modernized, but presently it is at some spots little more than a paved countryside road. The speed limit at most parts is 60 or 80 km/h.SportsSports and sporting events played an important part in Sarajevo life well before the city hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics. For instance, one of the city's best-loved sports is football (soccer). The two football clubs, FK Sarajevo and NK Željezničar Sarajevo, both have a long tradition of competing in European and World Cups tournaments. Another is basketball. The basketball club Bosna Sarajevo won the European championship in 1979. The chess club Bosna Sarajevo has been a championship team since the 1980s. Sarajevo often holds international events and competitions in various other sports as well, such as tennis and kickboxing. Overall, Sarajevo has sports clubs to Athletics, Bicycling, Boxing, Football, Wrestling, Judo, Karate, Kickboxing, Skating, Basketball, Bowling, Volleyball, Swimming, Rugby, Gymnastics, Diving, Handball, Chess, Skiing, Snowboarding, Archery, Tennis, and numerous others.Culture\n
Sarajevo’s extensive culture is represented in various ways. Numerous cultural festivals occur every year, such as the Bašćaršija Nights, Sarajevo Winter Festival, and the Sarajevo Jazz Festival. Numerous theatres are present in Sarajevo as well, such as the National Theatre of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The first ever Bosnian opera was held in Sarajevo in 2003. Historically, Sarajevo was home to several famous Bosnian poets and thinkers during the times of the Ottoman Empire. Nobel Prize winner Ivo Andrić was educated in the city.
Cultural Institutions
Theatres
Museums
Libraries
FolkloreAs an historic city, Sarajevo has numerous myths and folklore surrounding it. The character Nasrudin Hodza is popular throughout the former lands of the Ottoman Empire, and Sarajevo is no exception. Numerous stories about him dealing with Sarajevo have been written over the years. A famous piece of Sarajevo folklore is the story of the Sarajevo Orthodox Church. It was said that when a request came to build it, authorities required that it go no higher than the tallest minaret in Sarajevo. A wise old man was then said to have advised for the church to be built into the ground. Thus the building reached a proper height but met the restrictions.EventsNumerous events take place yearly in Sarajevo. With the various religions present, religious holidays are very popular. The month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Catholic and Orthodox Church Christmas and Easter are all important holidays. Muhammad's birthday, though technically not allowed by conservative Islam, is widely celebrated in Sarajevo. The Sarajevo Film Festival has been going on since 1995 and has become the premier film festival in the Balkans. Largely due to its size and the success and popularity of cinema in Bosnia, the event has gained considerable importance and often attracts foreign celebrities. The Sarajevo Winter Festival is also well-known, as are the Bašćaršija Nights, a month-long showcase of local culture, music, and dance.EducationEducation has a long tradition in Sarajevo. The first university in Sarajevo was a school of Sufi philosophy established by Gazi Husrev-beg in 1531. Over the years, numerous other religious schools were established as well. The Sarajevo library, in its prime, was in the same category as the Madrassa of Beyazid II. The annexation of Bosnia by Austria-Hungary introduced Sarajevo to Western education. The first high school in Sarajevo was established in 1887. Starting in the 1940s, numerous modern faculties were added to the University of Sarajevo for a wide variety of professions ranging from economics to forestry. Sarajevo today also has 46 elementary schools (Grades 1-8), and 19 high schools (Grades 9-12). The University of Sarajevo includes faculties for medicine, law, agriculture, technical services, philosophy, and economics. Sarajevo students are required to pass entrance exams into high schools. Unlike in the United States, high school students in Bosnia are prepared for specific occupations and industries. Among the high schools in Sarajevo, there exist those for education, music, medicine, technicians, dentistry, economics, and a variety of other fields of work.External links
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"The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready." - Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) |
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\nSarajevo is located close to the geometric center of triangularly shaped 