pearl of the active rest”. Central Bosnia, connected with its municipalities in economy, culture and history, has always been proud of its great men in the field of culture, science, arts and sports. Besides, many rulers of the foreign and local nobility had the need to stay for a while in Central Bosnia during their campaigns, thus giving it a distinct atmosphere, which is witnessed by numerous forts and other buildings at the tops of the mountains and on the river banks. The most important roads go through the valleys of the Lašva and Vrbas Rivers where the important urban places are also placed. Central geographical position of the Central Bosnia Canton connects the transit routes northwest – southeast (BihaćTravnik-SarajevoGoražde) and northeast – southwest (Tuzla-Zenica-Travnik-Bugojno-Mostar-Ploče, Neum, and from Neum to the route Livno-Split). Central Bosnia Canton is rich with water, and it embraces the confluences of the rivers Vrbas, Lašva and Pecanje na brzacima • Fishing on rapids Lepenica, and there are seven lakes at the area of the Mrki medvjed • Bear Canton: Plivsko, Prokoško, Radovan, Ždrimačka (Big Ždrimačko, Pasje, Hodžića), Zanasovići. Beside the vegetation of middle European characteristics one can find some typically southern species of flora, and according to the zoo-geographical characteristics CenTaking up 12.1 % of the area of the Federation of BiH extended across 325,000 hectares, where about 270,000 people live and work, Central Bosnian Canton is proud of its 12 municipalities out of which each has the number of the types of the selective tourist offer with particular destinations. With the total surface of 3,199 square km and mountainous – continental climate, Central Bosnia Canton is very pleasant region and attractive tourist destination for visiting during the whole year. The visitors can use their stay here for seeing the sights and learning about the rich history, tradition, culture and natural heritage and find out at the spot why Central Bosnia holds the epithet of the “Tourist
tral Bosnia belongs to the middle European Alpine strip with some endemic species. As the most important agricultural branch dominates the cattle-breeding, and cattle, sheep, goats and horses are bred the most. And in the field of agriculture the corn, vegetable and forage crops prevail. Economic resources in this area are very different and important for Central Bosnia and the entire Bosnia and Herzegovina also (lignite, coal, natural gas, aluminiumbauxite, iron-magnetite, hematite and loess, ores of gypsum, quartzite, mercury, copper, lead and zinc, and construction materials, thermal and mineral waters). Central Bosnian Canton has also a number of important industrial capacities in the field of metal-working, wood and leather industry. This, very important Bosnia and Herzegovina and European crossroads attracts numerous tourists in many ways. Based upon the generosity of the nature and culturalhistorical treasure in the Central Bosnian Canton different kinds of tourism developed during the time. Thanks to the natural potentials and cultural-historical characteristics, but also to the ingenuity and hospitality of the people in the area of Central Bosnian Canton the mountain tourism is present through the whole year, because the visitors are offered various favourable conditions during the summer and the winter season. Mountain tourism is especially recognized after XIV Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, 1984, when our ski-centre “Vlašić” at Bobanovac on the mountain Vlašić was spare sports acclimatization centre. This beauty of Travnik has gained much recognition, so since 1977 till 1990, Vlašić was known for international competition “Vlašić Europe Cup” where competitors from 10 European countries, Japan and USA participated on 90 meter ski-jump. Prestigious award “The Silver Snowflake” that Vlašić got as the best ski centre in the former state speaks about the benefits and beauty
Tourism BiH • October 2009
109