Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Capital City

Living in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a study in contrasts. The city's population of 105,448 is nearly evenly split between Croats and Bosniaks, a legacy of the brutal Bosnian War that still divides the city along ethnic lines. Administratively, Mostar has struggled for years, with no local elections held between 2012 and 2020 due to political deadlock. Bureaucracy and corruption are persistent headaches. On the plus side, Mostar enjoys a sunny, Mediterranean climate, with average temperatures ranging from 5°C in January to 26°C in July. However, the city can experience extreme weather, as evidenced by the record snowfall of 82.5 cm during the 2012 European cold wave. For those willing to navigate Mostar's lingering ethnic tensions and administrative challenges, the city's stunning Ottoman architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and beautiful natural setting make it an intriguing, if complex, destination.