List of rivers of Bosnia and Herzegovina facts for kids

Main rivers in Bosnia and Hercegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a beautiful country in Europe, known for its amazing nature, including many rivers! These rivers are super important for the country's environment, history, and even for the cities built along their banks. They provide water, support wildlife, and offer places for fun activities like fishing or rafting. Let's explore some of the most important rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and where their waters end up.

Rivers Flowing to the Black Sea

Most of the rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina eventually flow into the Black Sea. How? They join bigger rivers like the Sava, which then flows into the mighty Danube River, and the Danube finally empties into the Black Sea!

The Sava River Basin

The Sava River is a very important river in this region. It forms part of Bosnia and Herzegovina's northern border. Many rivers within the country are its "tributaries," meaning they flow into the Sava.

The Bosna River

The Bosna River is one of the longest rivers that flows entirely within Bosnia and Herzegovina. It gives the country its name! It starts in the central part of the country near Sarajevo and flows north, joining the Sava River.

• Fojnička rijeka: This river joins the Bosna. It has its own smaller rivers flowing into it, like the Lepenica.
• Krivaja River: This river is formed by two smaller rivers, the Stupčanica and the Bioštica, joining together.
• Lašva River: This river flows into the Bosna from the west.
• Miljacka River: This famous river flows right through the capital city, Sarajevo. It's known for its many bridges, including the historic Latin Bridge.
• Željeznica River: Another river that joins the Bosna, also near Sarajevo.

The Drina River

The Drina River is a major river that forms a large part of the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. It's famous for its beautiful green color and deep canyons. The Drina is formed when two powerful rivers, the Piva and the Tara, meet.

• Ćehotina: This river joins the Drina from the right side.
• Prača River: This river flows into the Drina from the left.
• Drinjača River: Another left-side tributary of the Drina.
• Lim River: A significant river that flows into the Drina.
• Sutjeska River: This river is famous because it flows through the Sutjeska National Park, a beautiful area with lots of nature and history.

The Una River

The Una River is known for its incredible beauty, clear water, and waterfalls. It's a popular spot for rafting and kayaking. The Una also forms part of the border with Croatia.

• Unac River: This river is a right tributary of the Una.
• Klokot River: This river flows into the Una from the left.
• Sana River: A major river that joins the Una. It has several tributaries of its own, like the Dabar and the Gomjenica.

The Vrbas River

The Vrbas River flows through the heart of Bosnia, passing through the city of Banja Luka, which is one of the country's largest cities. It's known for its fast currents and is also popular for water sports.

• Pliva River: This river is famous for its beautiful waterfalls in Jajce, where it meets the Vrbas.
• Ugar River: This river joins the Vrbas downstream from Jajce.
• Vrbanja River: This river flows into the Vrbas in Banja Luka. It has many smaller streams that feed into it, like the Cvrcka and the Jakotina.

Other Rivers Flowing to the Black Sea

• Glina River: This river flows into the Kupa River, which then joins the Sava.
• Korana River: Another river that flows into the Kupa.
• Ukrina River: This river joins the Sava near Bosanski Brod.

Rivers Flowing to the Adriatic Sea

While most rivers go north to the Black Sea, some rivers in the southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina flow west and south towards the Adriatic Sea.

The Neretva River

The Neretva River is the most important river in Herzegovina, the southern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It's known for its stunning emerald-green color and flows through deep canyons before reaching the Adriatic Sea in Croatia. The city of Mostar with its famous Old Bridge is built over the Neretva.

• Bregava River: This river joins the Neretva near Stolac.
• Trebižat River: This river is special because it has waterfalls, like the Kravice waterfalls, and is known for its clear waters.
• Buna River: This river is unique because it starts as a very strong spring, flowing out of a cave. It joins the Neretva near Buna.
• Doljanka River: This river flows into the Neretva in Jablanica.
• Drežanka River: Another right tributary of the Neretva.
• Neretvica River: This river joins the Neretva near Konjic.

Disappearing Rivers

Some rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina are called "disappearing rivers" or "sinking rivers." This means they flow for a while on the surface, then suddenly disappear into underground caves or channels, only to reappear somewhere else later! This happens a lot in areas with limestone rocks.

• Bijela River: This river disappears on the west side of the Prenj mountain.
• Plovuča River: Found in the Livno field, this river also disappears underground. It has tributaries like the Bistrica and the Žabljak that also sink.
• Lištica River: This river disappears near Široki Brijeg.
• Vrljika River: This river flows in the Imotski field and also sinks underground.