Bosnia and Herzegovina's Political Structure: Entities, Not Provinces

No Provinces — Two Entities + One District

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has no provinces. Its constitutional structure (Dayton Accords, 1995) comprises:

1. Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH)

• 51% territory; majority Bosniak (Muslim) and Croat (Catholic).
• 10 cantons (federal units) with own governments.
• Capital: Sarajevo (also state capital).

2. Republika Srpska (RS)

• 49% territory; majority Serb (Orthodox).
• Centralized (no cantons); 64 municipalities.
• Capital: Banja Luka.

3. Brčko District

• Self-governing condominium (belongs to both entities).
• Multiethnic; strategic transport hub (rail, river, highway).
• Supervised by international supervisor (historically).

State-Level Institutions

• Presidency (3 members: Bosniak, Croat, Serb — rotate chair).
• Parliamentary Assembly (House of Representatives, House of Peoples).
• Council of Ministers (executive).
• Constitutional Court, Central Bank.

Why This Complexity?

Post-war power-sharing to end 1992–95 conflict. Entities have broad competencies (police, education, health); state handles foreign policy, currency, immigration, telecommunications.