Sarajevo

Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, located at {{coor dm|43|52|N|18|25|E|}}. According to the 1991 census, its population was 429,672; currently estimated at around 290,000.

Geography and climate

Geography

Sarajevo is located close to the geometric center of the triangularly-shaped Bosnia and Herzegovina, and covers 142 km²(88.2 mi²) of land. The core of the city is built in the Sarajevo valley (also translated as Sarajevo field), a small depression 500 meters above sea level, nestled between the surrounding mountains. Although much of the city itself is relatively flat, some of the outskirts and far eastern parts are hilly. Neighborhoods in the old town in particular are well known for their steep streets and landscape.

Related Topics:
Sea level - Old town

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The river Miljacka flows through the city from east to west and is one of the city's chief geographic features. The source of the river Bosna, Vrelo Bosne is found on the city's outskirts near Ilid?a and is one of the most well known natural landmarks in the country.

Related Topics:
Miljacka - Bosna - Vrelo Bosne - Ilid?a

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The city is surrounded by five major mountains. In 1984 Bosnia and Herzegovina was the host of the Winter Olympic Games. The unique beauty of this jewel of the Central Europe, the natural wealth that is contained in its fresh and healthy air, mineral and thermal water and the resourceful potential for the enjoying different sports, made Sarajevo and the rest of Bosnia and Herzegovina famous all around the world. They are part of the Dinaric Alps mountain range that winds through Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia and Montenegro. The mountains are popular tourist attractions for hiking and skiing. In alphabetical order they are:

Related Topics:
Dinaric Alps - Croatia - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Serbia and Montenegro - Hiking - Skiing

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• Bjela?nica: 2067 meters (6782 ft), southwest
• Igman: 1502 meters (4928 ft), southwest
• Jahorina: 1913 meters (6276 ft), southeast
• Trebevi?: 1627 meters (5338 ft), southeast
• Treskavica: 2088 meters (6950 ft), north

Sarajevo itself is part of Bosnia proper, known for its mountainous and heavily forested landscape. Natural disasters pose little threat in the region, although small earthquakes have been known to occur.

Related Topics:
Natural disaster - Earthquakes

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Climate

Sarajevo has a continental climate, lying between the climate zones of central Europe to the North and the Mediterranean to the South. Sarajevo experiences warm summers, with temperatures of 35 °C (95°F) not being uncommon, and cold winters, when snow is guaranteed due to the city's altitude. Sarajevo has three major weather stations. They are located on Bjela?nica mountain, Butmir, and in the city itself.

Related Topics:
Continental climate - Central Europe - Mediterranean - °C - °F - Bjela?nica - Butmir

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The warmest month of the year is July, when the average temperature is about 19 °C (66 °F), although August's average temperature is only a degree lower. The coldest month of the year is January when the average temperature is -1 °C (30 °F). The average year-round temperature is 10 °C (45 °F).

Related Topics:
July - August - January

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Sarajevo receives about 905 mm (36 inches) of precipitation a year. The rainiest month is October when the city receives 89.4 mm (3.5 in) of rainfall. The driest is February when the city gets only 61.4 mm (2.4 in) of precipitation. Average air pressure at the city's elevation is 942.3 millibars, and this varies little throughout the year.

Related Topics:
Precipitation - October - Air pressure - Millibar

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