Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is an administrative unit within Bosnia and Herzegovina, covering much of the country and divided into ten cantons. Each canton operates with its own institutions and parliament, creating a decentralized administrative structure across the territory.

The Washington Agreement of March 1994 created this entity during the Bosnian War as a basis for ending hostilities between the involved groups. The Dayton Agreement of 1995 then solidified the political structure and integrated the new entity into the overall state framework.

The entity takes its name from the Washington Agreement and today remains home to communities where several languages and scripts appear side by side in public life. Street signs and official documents often display both Latin and Cyrillic alphabets, reflecting the linguistic traditions of the residents.

Travelers will find regional administrations with separate responsibilities for local matters, meaning that practical questions may have different rules depending on the canton. Those spending time in one canton should check the regulations that apply there.

The system of ten cantons means that a traveler within the entity can encounter different regional laws and administrative practices several times. This diversity shows itself in everyday areas such as traffic rules or local regulations.

Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Inception: March 18, 1994

Capital city: Sarajevo

Elevation above the sea: 1,126 m

Shares border with: Brčko District, Republika Srpska

Website: http://fbihvlada.gov.ba

GPS coordinates: 43.85833,18.41389

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:00