Bosnia and Herzegovina - Your next adventure [antikvár]

THE UNIQUE BEAUTY OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Bosnia and Hei^egovina has long been the erossroads of many civilizations and cultures. It is these centuries of cultui-ally diversity that has melded Bosnia and Hereegovina into one of the most fascinating, interesting,j . and beautiful countries in Europe. Our-" people are mostly of Slavic origin -those of Slavic lines aj-e Muslim (44%), Orthodox (32%), and Catholic (17%). There ai« also small Roma, Albanian, Jewish, and mixed communities further enhacing our U-ademaik as a magical mix of many cultures, races, and nations. Bosnia aiid Heraegovina has a laige rui-al population and the main industiy is agiiculture. But our most special aspects ai-e nature and the rich towns and cities that have been erected in these pristine places. One cannot separate the culture and traditions of its people fiiom the nature where from it all evolved. This is one country where neither the Good Lord nor Mother Nature cut coniere with beautiful sceneiy. So many unique and fascinating sites -unique and fascinating in geogi:aphic, geological, biological, cultural, historical and environmental terms - can be found here within these tiny 51,000 square kilometers called Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a country made for eco-tomism, tailored to peoples' most basic needs and joys. Bosnia and Heizegovina has luckily succeeded in preserving many of its most precious natural and cultural heritages in their original foi-m. Some of these gems of unique beauty, such as the Una River aiid its magical waterfalls, the wild caiiyon of the upper Neretva, or the pristine beauty of the River Sutjeska that flows through om-oldest National i^k even meet the criteria of world natural heritage sites. All these and so much more present vast tomist potential and a most mystical destination to all those ti-avelleis sensitive to tlie envii-onment. , Many a ti'aveler to these parts J have praised the beauty of this country, and point out that this very beauty pi-esents a compai-ative advantage for eco-friendly, sustainable development. We have more often than not been advised to devise effective protection mechanisms in order to presei-ve these invaluable gems of our enviiTjnment and cultural history, l^ut also to use it to imprwe the lives of our people. Experts say that the time is coming when the quality of tourism will be assessed on the basis of its vicinity to nature aird the natui:al. Being satur:at-ed with industrialized hotels, unifoiTO boarxlirrg arrd entertaiirment, visitors from highly developed nations are in pureuit of genuinely natural eiwiron-ments where they can live and experience the real meaning of the woi-d, at least when they ai^e on holiday. Many a tourist of this sort would see a trip to Bosnia arid Herzegovina as an ideal tomist pilgrimage but only for those who are motivated and inspired by imaginative and unusual tourist offers. The most precious possession of Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with its wann, hospitable people, is its unique beauty. Despite not being a great power - neither politically nor economically - Bosnia and Herzegovirra is a true natural super power, glittering with all the wondei-s that matt and nature have created here. Nija-^yitlzii' 'Editor ill Chief aiul UNEP Ciuiner of Honor Lciiireiile - ¦¦CIoIhiI 5(H)"