Sarajevo
The Sarajevo Canton lies roughly in the middle of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is not only the geographical, but also the economical, cultural and intellectual heart of this young Balkan state. The territory of the administrative unit corresponds approximately to the territory of the capital Sarajevo and its surroundings. The city itself is separated between the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which part is concentrated around 98 per cent of the population, and the Republic of Srpska. The landscape consists of karst mountains and bare hills, separated by narrow fields, in one of which lies the capital city. The most attractive scenery in the canton can be enjoyed in the Bjelasnica Mountain south of the city. It is a renowned ski resort that hosted some of the events during the 1984 Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo. Today Bjelasnica is the favourite place for recreation for the citizens of the Bosnian capital in all seasons. The Bosna River, which is the longest river in the country, has its source in the area. The city of Sarajevo is remarkable with its ethnical, religious and cultural diversity, and the fascinating old quarter where the glamour of the Ottoman Empire is still clearly felt. Sarajevo is notorious as the place where World War I began. It is also the first European city to have a regularly functioning electric tram network.