Banja Luka: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Banja Luka is the second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a population of 196,500 (metro population 220,000). It is also the de facto capital of Republika Srpska, and houses the sub-entity's government, as well as the center of the Banja Luka Region, and municipality of the same name. Banja Luka is famous for it's culture and history, which dates back to the high middle ages. It is located in northwestern Bosnia, on the river Vrbas.

Geography and Climate

Geography

Banja Luka covers some 93.2 km² (57.9 mi²) of land in northwestern Bosnia on the river Vrbas. Latitude and longitude wise, Banja Luka is located at 44°78' N latitude and 17°19' E longitude.

The spring of the river Vrbas is located nearby, and the tributary rivers Suturlija, Crkvena, and Vrbanja flow into Vrbas in Banja Luka. Banja Luka also has a number of springs close by.

The area immediately around Banja Luka is woodland, although a bit farther out there are a number of mountains. The city itself is built in the Banja Luka valley, which is located on the transition between high and low mountain areas. The most notable of these mountains are Manjača (1214 meters), Čemernica (1338 meters), and Tisovac (1172 meters). These are all part of the Dinaric Alps mountain range.

Climate

Banja Luka has a continental climate, with harsh winters and warm summers. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of 20°C (68°F). The coldest month of the year is January, where temperatures reach a near freezing 0.6°C (33°F).

Annual precipitation for Banja Luka is about 988mm. Banja Luka has an average of 52 rain days a year. Due to the city's high latitude, it snows in Banja Luka every year as well. Strong winds come from the north and northeast.

Banja Luka's history dates back to ancient times. There is substantial evidence of a Roman presence in the region during the first few centuries AD, including an old fort in the center of the city. The area of Banja Luka was wholly in the Roman province of Illyricum, lying on important Roman roads between Dalmatia and Pannonia.

Slavs settled the area in the 7th century a.d., although the exact nature of their migrations remains something of a mystery. What is known is that the first mention of the city dates to 1494, by Vladislav II. The origins of the name are debated to this day. Banja means "Bath", perhaps a reference to the mineral springs in the region, and Luka means port which could be because of the city's location on the Vrbas river. Nothing is known for sure however.

During Ottoman rule, Banja Luka grew significantly in terms of importance. For a while, it was the seat of the Bosnian pashaluk, and the lords of the region built a variety of impressive structures that would make up the core of the city's old town. In 1688 the city was set to the torch by an Austrian army. For all it's good to the region however, Banja Luka as a city wasn't modernized until rule by Austria-Hungary in the late 19th century.

Austrian occupation brought westernization to Banja Luka. Railroads, schools, factories, and infrastructure appeared and was developed. This led to a modern city of great importance, that after World War I became the center of the Vrbas province of the 1st Yugoslavia. During World War II, Banja Luka would be occupied by the Croatian Ustasha regime. It was liberated on April 22nd, 1945.

Aside from a devastating earthquake in 1969, Banja Luka's time in Yugoslavia was extremely beneficial. The city became far more urbanized as it's population grew five fold. In the final years of the socialist Yugoslavia, Banja Luka's population was 150,000.

The city underwent considerable changes during the Yugoslav wars. Upon the declaration of establishment of Republika Srpska, Banja Luka became the de facto center of the entity's politics, which it remains to this day (while technically the capital is the small town of Pale outside Sarajevo). Although no heavy fighting took place, all indications point to ethnic cleansing having taken place. Manjača was the site of one of the larger concentration camps during the war. Banja Luka's once large Bosniak and Croat population is now virtually nonexistent. Many Serbs from the outlying countryside also moved to the city in the 1990s. As of 2004, one third of its inhabitants are said to be "refugees" or "displaced persons".

The population of Banja Luka city is about 196,500. Along with the metro area, Banja Luka's population reaches some 220,000 people. Although there is a lack of official statistics on ethnic distribution, there is little doubt that Serbs make up an overwhelming majority in the city. It is said that 65,000 of today's Banja Luka population are refugees or displaced persons. About 20% of Banja Luka's residents are employed.

According to the 1991 census, Banja Luka had a population of some 195,139. Of these, 54.8% were Serbs, 14.9% were Croats, 14.6% were Bosniaks, 12% were "Yugoslavs", and 3.7% registered as others.

Historical population

Note: The population for 1969 and onwards represents the population of the entire Banja Luka Metropolitan area.

• 1895: 13,566
• 1939: 32,000
• 1969: 75,000
• 1971: 158,736
• 1981: 183,618
• 1991: 195,139
• 1999: 220,000

Banja Luka plays a very important role in government on many different levels. First of all it is the center of the Banja Luka Region, one of the five regions of Republika Srpska. After that, Banja Luka is also the center of government for the Municipality of Banja Luka. Of course, Banja Luka is the seat of it's own city government. On top of all this, Banja Luka is the de facto capital of Republika Srpska. All this makes Banja Luka one of the most important cities in all of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Banja Luka is split into a number of neighborhoods, which have a small amount of political power as well.

Although the city itself was not directly affected by the war in the early 1990s, Banja Luka's economy was. For four years, Banja Luka fell behind the world in key areas such as technology, with the result being a rather stagnant economy today. A mere 20% or so of Banja Lukan citizens are employed.

In 1990, the Banja Luka region had an export worth of 400 million US$. Although the economy today is a far cry from what it used to be, many of the industries are the same. Among the chief industries in Banja Luka are, metal working, wood processing, leather, textiles, rubber processing, the tobacco industry, and food processing.

Due to it's long history, Banja Luka has an equally long and rich culture. A number of museums can be found in the city, including the Museum of Republika Srpska, and the Ethnographic Museum, established in 1930. Banja Luka also has a national theatre, and library, both also dating from the first half of the 20th century. There are numerous other museums and theatres in the city.

One of the most famous cultural sites in Banja Luka is the cultural centre "Banski Dvor" (Halls of the Ban), built in the 1930s as a spot of residence for the Bans of Vrbaš banovina. The well preserved fortress Kastel is found in the center of the city.

Banja Luka has a number of hotels, the oldest one dating back to 1885. The city and surrounding area have a number of popular tourist attractions. Among the most famous are the pools, thermal springs, and spas in the region. The area is popular among natural lovers, while the city center is attractive to tourists due to it's historical structures and many restaurants.

Banja Luka has one major football (soccer) stadium and two smaller indoor sports halls. The local handball and soccer teams bear the traditional name Borac (fighter), though the basketball club was recently renamed to Banjalučka pivara, after the Banja Luka brewery.

The city was once nicknamed the "Green City", due to it's trees (over 10,000 in number) and parks.

Cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Banja Luka | Bihać | Bijeljina | Bosanska Krupa | Brčko | Bugojno | Cazin | Derventa | Doboj | Gračanica | Gradačac | Bosanska Gradiška | Kakanj | Ilidža | Livno | Lukavac | Mostar | Neum | Prijedor | Sanski Most | Sarajevo | Foča | Srebrenica | Teslić | Tešanj | Travnik | Trebinje | Tuzla | Velika Kladuša | Visoko | Zavidovići | Zenica | Zvornik | Živinice