The Geopolitical Reasoning Behind Bosnia and Herzegovina's Lack of Coastline
Bosnia and Herzegovina's lack of a coastline, despite a small stretch of the Adriatic Sea located in Neum, is a result of complex historical treaties and geopolitical decisions rather than a deliberate attempt by external powers to deprive it of maritime access.
Historical Context
The region that would become Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced centuries of Ottoman Empire and Austro-Hungarian rule during which modern state borders were not clearly defined. This period of historical transformation set the stage for the geopolitical decisions that would follow.
Ottoman Empire and Austro-Hungarian Rule
For centuries, the region was part of the expansive Ottoman Empire. Later, under Austro-Hungarian control, the landscape remained largely unchanged, leaving future borders to be shaped by external forces.
Post-World War I Treaties
The aftermath of World War I saw the redrawing of European borders through treaties such as the Treaty of Versailles. Bosnia and Herzegovina became part of the complex and multi-ethnic Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which later evolved into Yugoslavia. At this stage, coastal areas like those in Croatia were already included within the borders of Yugoslavia.
Yugoslav Federation
When Yugoslavia was formed, Bosnia and Herzegovina found itself landlocked, bordered by Croatia to the west and Serbia to the east. The coastal areas were integral parts of Croatia.
Breakup of Yugoslavia
The early 1990s saw the disintegration of Yugoslavia. Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence in 1992. However, its borders were delineated based on ethnic lines and historical claims, maintaining its landlocked status.
Access to the Sea
Bosnia and Herzegovina has a narrow strip of coastline on the Adriatic Sea, approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles), located in the Neum municipality. This was formalized in the 1995 Dayton Agreement, which ended the Bosnian War and recognized the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Geopolitical Implications
The lack of a significant coastline is a reflection of the broader geopolitical landscape. The Ottoman Empire, lacking a strong naval presence on the Adriatic, retained the outer borders of the empire, while Croatia inherited the territories that had been part of the Venetian Republic and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Conclusion
The absence of a substantial coastline in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a deliberate act of geopolitical maneuvering against the country. Instead, it is the outcome of a complex and evolving historical process influenced by wars, treaties, and political agreements.
Modern Bosnia and Herzegovina faces unique challenges given its geographical position. Nonetheless, the small stretch of coastline in Neum offers a vital connection to the Adriatic Sea, albeit through very narrow means.
In summary, the lack of a significant coastline is not a result of deliberate exclusion but rather the consequence of historical and geopolitical factors.