Bosnian Flag

Bosnian Flag

Bosnian Flag

Once an ancient Roman province, the area that is today known as Bosnia-Herzegovina was incorporated into the Yugoslav Socialist Federal Republic in 1945. In 1990, nationalist parties routed the ruling communists in the elections, but conflict between Serbia and Croatia - and civil war in the latter - spread chaos into Bosnia-Herzegovina. A referendum in 1992 showed that a majority was in favor of Bosnian independence from Yugoslavia, international recognition of Bosnia-Herzegovina being gained in April 1992. The country is now divided into two parts: the Bosnian-Croat Federation and the Serb Republic.

When Bosnia-Herzegovina seceded from Yugoslavia in 1992 and at a time when the three leading ethnic groups (Muslims, Serbs, and Croats) were at war with each other, the first flag adopted by the new nation was a neutral, white field bearing the central blue, white and gold shield of the Kotromanic Dynasty (the last independent rulers of the country during the 14th century). This flag was unacceptable to some factions, however, and in 1998 a new flag, designed by a committee of members from all three ethnic groups, was adopted. The colors of blue, white and gold having been retained, a gold triangle represents the country's shape, as well as the three ethnic groups. The continuous stars were inspired by the European Union flag and represent peace and the future.