Neum
Encyclopedia
Neum is the only coastal town in Bosnia and Herzegovina
. It comprises 24.5 km (15 mi) of coastline, the country's only access to the Adriatic Sea
. As of 2009, municipal (općina
) population was of 4,605 and the one of Neum main town (naselje
) was of 4,268 (in 1991).
, making it popular with shoppers. Tourism
, and the commerce it brings, is the leading contributor to the economy of the area. Border formalities with Croatia are relaxed at peak times. Neum has around 5,000 beds for tourists, 1,810 in hotels with the remaining capacity in motels, villas, and in private accommodation. Tourism in Neum is active only in the coastal region. The inland area behind Neum has a rich archeological history and untouched wilderness
and is starting to develop agricultural tourism.
(80 km (49.7 mi) from the Dubrovnik Airport
), 70 km (43.5 mi) from Mostar
and Međugorje and 30 km (18.6 mi) from Ploče
and Metković
, both of which have railway stations.
The Neum region cuts Croatia into two non-contiguous parts. This is a result of the Treaty of Karlowitz
of 1699. In this treaty the Republic of Ragusa
gave the Neum region to the Ottoman Empire to ensure that it would not border on the encroaching Venetian Republic.
The fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina border must be crossed to reach the southernmost region of Croatia has caused the Croatian Government to plan a bridge from Klek to Pelješac
to circumvent the area. Since this could potentially violate Bosnia-Herzegovinian rights under the International Law of the Sea, these plans have been put on hold until a mutually satisfactory solution can be reached.
Neum is planned to be a freight port. There are plans to build a real seaport, rail and a motorway and thus the Croatian bridge must have a high clearance according to the view of Bosnia and Herzegovina
. The main freight port for Bosnia and Herzegovina
today is Ploče
(in Croatia) further north, which has a railway to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Babin Do, Borut, Brestica, Broćanac, Brštanica, Cerovica, Cerovo, Crnoglav, Dobri Do, Dobrovo, Donji Drijen, Donji Zelenikovac, Dubravica, Duži, Glumina, Gornje Hrasno, Gradac, Hotanj Hutovski, Hutovo, Kiševo, Moševići, Prapratnica, Previš, Rabrani, Vinine and Žukovica.
or Adriatic Highway which connects the two parts of Croatia's Dalmatian coast. Neum 1 is located to the north-west of the city, with the Klek border checkpoint on the Croatian side. Neum 2 is located to the south-east, with the Croatian border checkpoint at Zaton Doli.
, and was added to the territories in the possession of the city. In 1699, Dubrovnik relinquished control of the region of Klek–Neum to the Ottoman Empire
at the Treaty of Karlowitz
following the Great Turkish War
. It gave the Turkish army access to the sea, but just as important to Dubrovnik, it gave them a protection from the Republic of Venice
. Neum was under Ottoman control for 179 years until 1878, when Bosnia and Herzegovina came under Austro-Hungarian rule. Neum then joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (Yugoslavia
) as a part of a number entities between 1919 and 1992 (when Bosnia and Herzegovina
declared independence). For a time when in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, it was part of the Banovina of Croatia
(1939 to 1941).
As of 2010, Bosnians do not need a visa
to travel to the Schengen countries. The normal route when driving between Neum and other cities of Bosnia is through Croatia (roads D8
and E73), as the road inside Herzegovina
is curvy and narrow.
The average sea temperature ranges from 13 °C (55.4 °F) in January to 28 °C (82.4 °F) in July and August. Popular activities include swimming and sun bathing, beach-going, boating, and various other water-sports.
, 4.9% Serbs
and other nationalities. The actual town of Neum had 1,993 residents in 1991, with a higher (91%) proportion of Croats
.
Neum celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Good Health
as its municipal day. As part of the celebrations, Neum hosts the Music Festival Etnofest Neum. The town also hosts the Neum Animated Film Festival.
The linđo is traditionally danced in the Neum region.
Neum is home to local branches of the cultural organizations Matica hrvatska
and HKD Napredak
.
.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
. It comprises 24.5 km (15 mi) of coastline, the country's only access to the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
. As of 2009, municipal (općina
Opština
Opština, Obshtina, Občina or Općina, Cyrillic општина or община, may refer to;-Notes and references:Notes:References:...
) population was of 4,605 and the one of Neum main town (naselje
Naselje
Naselje is a settlement in Croatia, usually translated as settlement. It is the smallest unit of Croatian territory. Individual settlements are by and large referred to as selo , while naselje is a statistical and administrative category. The units of local government in Croatia, cities and...
) was of 4,268 (in 1991).
Features
Neum has steep hills, sandy beaches, and several large tourist hotels. Prices tend to be lower than in neighboring CroatiaCroatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, making it popular with shoppers. Tourism
Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a fast growing sector in Bosnia-Herzegovina making up an important part in the economy of the country. The tourist business environment is constantly developing with an increasingly active tourism promotional system....
, and the commerce it brings, is the leading contributor to the economy of the area. Border formalities with Croatia are relaxed at peak times. Neum has around 5,000 beds for tourists, 1,810 in hotels with the remaining capacity in motels, villas, and in private accommodation. Tourism in Neum is active only in the coastal region. The inland area behind Neum has a rich archeological history and untouched wilderness
Wilderness
Wilderness or wildland is a natural environment on Earth that has not been significantly modified by human activity. It may also be defined as: "The most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet—those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with...
and is starting to develop agricultural tourism.
Overview
Neum is 60 kilometres (37.3 mi) from DubrovnikDubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
(80 km (49.7 mi) from the Dubrovnik Airport
Dubrovnik Airport
-Traffic statistics:Dubrovnik Airport handled 1,270,062 passengers in 2010.In 1987 Dubrovnik Airport handled 1.5 million passengers and 2500 tons of cargo, making 1987 year the busiest thus far...
), 70 km (43.5 mi) from Mostar
Mostar
Mostar is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the largest and one of the most important cities in the Herzegovina region and the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation. Mostar is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country...
and Međugorje and 30 km (18.6 mi) from Ploče
Ploce
Ploče is a town and a notable seaport in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County of Croatia.The total population of Ploče is 10,102 , in the following settlements:* Baćina, population 564* Banja, population 176* Komin, population 1,222...
and Metković
Metkovic
Metković is a city in the Dubrovnik-Neretva county of Croatia, located in the southeast of the country, on the banks of the river Neretva and on the border with Herzegovina.-Demographics:...
, both of which have railway stations.
The Neum region cuts Croatia into two non-contiguous parts. This is a result of the Treaty of Karlowitz
Treaty of Karlowitz
The Treaty of Karlowitz was signed on 26 January 1699 in Sremski Karlovci , concluding the Austro-Ottoman War of 1683–1697 in which the Ottoman side had been defeated at the Battle of Zenta...
of 1699. In this treaty the Republic of Ragusa
Republic of Ragusa
The Republic of Ragusa or Republic of Dubrovnik was a maritime republic centered on the city of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia , that existed from 1358 to 1808...
gave the Neum region to the Ottoman Empire to ensure that it would not border on the encroaching Venetian Republic.
The fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina border must be crossed to reach the southernmost region of Croatia has caused the Croatian Government to plan a bridge from Klek to Pelješac
Pelješac bridge
The Pelješac Bridge is a bridge intended to connect the Croatian peninsula of Pelješac with the Croatian mainland, spanning the Adriatic Sea, which separates the two near the Bay of Mali Ston and the Neretva Channel....
to circumvent the area. Since this could potentially violate Bosnia-Herzegovinian rights under the International Law of the Sea, these plans have been put on hold until a mutually satisfactory solution can be reached.
Neum is planned to be a freight port. There are plans to build a real seaport, rail and a motorway and thus the Croatian bridge must have a high clearance according to the view of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
. The main freight port for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
today is Ploče
Ploce
Ploče is a town and a notable seaport in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County of Croatia.The total population of Ploče is 10,102 , in the following settlements:* Baćina, population 564* Banja, population 176* Komin, population 1,222...
(in Croatia) further north, which has a railway to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Subdivision
The municipality includes the town of Neum (municipal seat) and several villages:Babin Do, Borut, Brestica, Broćanac, Brštanica, Cerovica, Cerovo, Crnoglav, Dobri Do, Dobrovo, Donji Drijen, Donji Zelenikovac, Dubravica, Duži, Glumina, Gornje Hrasno, Gradac, Hotanj Hutovski, Hutovo, Kiševo, Moševići, Prapratnica, Previš, Rabrani, Vinine and Žukovica.
Border crossings
Neum has two border crossing checkpoints with Croatia on the European route E65European route E65
European route E 65 is a north-south Class-A European route that begins in Malmö, Sweden and ends in Chaniá, Greece. The road is about in length.-Itinerary:* Sweden** E 65: Malmö – Ystad* Baltic sea, ferry Ystad-Świnoujście* Poland...
or Adriatic Highway which connects the two parts of Croatia's Dalmatian coast. Neum 1 is located to the north-west of the city, with the Klek border checkpoint on the Croatian side. Neum 2 is located to the south-east, with the Croatian border checkpoint at Zaton Doli.
Early history
In 1399, the Dubrovnik Republic (Ragusa) acquired Neum from ZahumljeZahumlje
Zachlumia or Zahumlje was a medieval principality located in modern-day regions of Herzegovina and southern Dalmatia...
, and was added to the territories in the possession of the city. In 1699, Dubrovnik relinquished control of the region of Klek–Neum to the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
at the Treaty of Karlowitz
Treaty of Karlowitz
The Treaty of Karlowitz was signed on 26 January 1699 in Sremski Karlovci , concluding the Austro-Ottoman War of 1683–1697 in which the Ottoman side had been defeated at the Battle of Zenta...
following the Great Turkish War
Great Turkish War
The Great Turkish War refers to a series of conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and contemporary European powers, then joined into a Holy League, during the second half of the 17th century.-1667–1683:...
. It gave the Turkish army access to the sea, but just as important to Dubrovnik, it gave them a protection from the Republic of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
. Neum was under Ottoman control for 179 years until 1878, when Bosnia and Herzegovina came under Austro-Hungarian rule. Neum then joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
) as a part of a number entities between 1919 and 1992 (when Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
declared independence). For a time when in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, it was part of the Banovina of Croatia
Banovina of Croatia
The Banovina of Croatia or Banate of Croatia was a province of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia between 1939 and 1943 . Its capital was at Zagreb and it included most of present-day Croatia along with portions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia...
(1939 to 1941).
Future
Building a seaport is expected to have a positive impact on towns economy, social and cultural life.As of 2010, Bosnians do not need a visa
Visa (document)
A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...
to travel to the Schengen countries. The normal route when driving between Neum and other cities of Bosnia is through Croatia (roads D8
D8 (Croatia)
D8 state road comprises Croatian section of Adriatic Highway, and it runs from Pasjak border crossing to Slovenia via Rijeka, Senj, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Opuzen and Dubrovnik to the border with Montenegro at Karasovići. Most of the D8 state road is still a two-lane road, excepting rare four-lane...
and E73), as the road inside Herzegovina
Herzegovina
Herzegovina is the southern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While there is no official border distinguishing it from the Bosnian region, it is generally accepted that the borders of the region are Croatia to the west, Montenegro to the south, the canton boundaries of the Herzegovina-Neretva...
is curvy and narrow.
Climate
Neum has warm summers and mild winters.The average sea temperature ranges from 13 °C (55.4 °F) in January to 28 °C (82.4 °F) in July and August. Popular activities include swimming and sun bathing, beach-going, boating, and various other water-sports.
Demographics
The municipality of Neum shrank in size from 1971 to 1991; it had 4,781 residents in 1971, and decreased to 4,268 twenty years later. According to the 1991 census, 87.6% of the residents are CroatsCroats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
, 4.9% Serbs
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
and other nationalities. The actual town of Neum had 1,993 residents in 1991, with a higher (91%) proportion of Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
.
Culture
Our Lady of Good Health
Our lady of Good Health, popularly called "Our Lady of Vailankanni" is artributed to Mary, mother of Jesus, in the small town of Velankanni, Tamil Nadu, India, located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. A Basilica artributed to both Portuguese and Indians stands in and around the sites of the...
as its municipal day. As part of the celebrations, Neum hosts the Music Festival Etnofest Neum. The town also hosts the Neum Animated Film Festival.
The linđo is traditionally danced in the Neum region.
Neum is home to local branches of the cultural organizations Matica hrvatska
Matica hrvatska
Matica hrvatska is one of the oldest Croatian cultural institutions, dating back to 1842. The name is somewhat idiosyncratic, best translated as "The Croatian Centre" . It is the largest publisher of Croatian language books...
and HKD Napredak
HKD Napredak
HKD Napredak is a cultural society of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina...
.
Sport
Neum has a water polo club VK Jadran Neum, which is a member of the Croatian Water Polo FederationCroatian Water Polo Federation
The Croatian Water Polo Federation is the governing body of water polo in Croatia. It is based in Zagreb.It organizes the water polo leagues:* Croatian First League of Water Polo* Croatian First League B of Water Polo...
.
See also
- SutorinaSutorinaThe village of Sutorina and surrounding territory, including a short stretch of the Adriatic coast was named after the little vale of the river Sutorina west of Herceg Novi...
- Dubrovnik HighlandsDubrovnik HighlandsDubrovnik Highlands comprises three areas of interest, Trebinjska Krajina , Ravno, & Neum all of which can be found in the southern tip of Bosnia & Herzegovina....
- Tourism in Bosnia and HerzegovinaTourism in Bosnia and HerzegovinaTourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a fast growing sector in Bosnia-Herzegovina making up an important part in the economy of the country. The tourist business environment is constantly developing with an increasingly active tourism promotional system....
- Bosnia and Herzegovina–Croatia relations