The division of Bosnia & Herzegovina began as early as the Roman times when most of the lands fell under Roman rule, but the divide between Roman and Byzantine control ran through this same area. With the division of the Christian church into east and west, the people in the region also became divided. Although ethnically and linguistically similar, some people adopted Catholicism and others adopted Eastern Orthodox. Even today the descendants of these people remain divided here and elsewhere in the region as the Croats tend to be Catholic and the Serbs tend to be Orthodox.
In the 1500s the Turks arrived and took control over the region. Like the earlier rulers, the Turks introduced Islam to the people and many people adopted this religion, people that today are known as Bosniaks (a citizen of the country is called a "Bosnian;" the term Bosniak specifies that the person is Muslim).
More than just religion though, the cultures of these people are greatly divided. The Croats tend to look west for inspiration and allies as they identify more closely with Western Europe and have adopted many cultural aspects from there. The ethnic Serbs tend to look towards Russia for inspiration as many cultural aspects from Russia and Eastern Europe have been adopted. Lastly, the Bosniaks tend to look towards Turkey for inspiration as they share many foods, clothing, and traditions with Turkey.
Under Yugoslav rule, the country and people unified to a great degree, however this unity was more in the way of coexistence than changing cultures or actual friendship. After the end of communism, Bosnia & Herzegovina experienced a huge amount of violence between the people. Although most violence in the country has ended, the people remain culturally divided as each religious group continues to seek outside allies while continuing on their cultural path, which diverges from the others. Despite this, the people still share many similarities, including in the lifestyle for many, in language, and in ethnicity, although all three groups may argue these similarities.
The blue, yellow, and white on the flag of Bosnia & Herzegovina represent neutrality and peace. The large yellow triangle is a rough representation of the country and its shape; while the three points on the triangle symbolize the Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs. The white stars represent Europe and are cut off on top and bottom to show that Europe continues on.
Name: Bosnia & Herzegovina
Independence: March 1, 1992
Capital: Sarajevo
Currency: Convertible Mark
Population: 3,875,723 (2013 estimate)
Ethnicity: Bosniak, Serb, & Croat
Language: Bosnian & Croatian
Religion: Muslim, Orthodox, & Catholic