Mostar (Мостар) is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation. The unofficial capital of Herzegovina. Mostar is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country. Mostar was named after its Old Bridge ( Stari most) and the towers on its sides, "the bridge keepers" (natively: mostari).
Grb Mostar
Demographics
In 2005 the municipality of Mostar had a population of 127,066. As of 2006, estimates say Croats form at least a narrow majority in the city of Mostar. But they do not have political control of the city because the politics is equally divided between Croats and Bosniaks.
Mostar on map BiH Population 125,448
The city has had a carefully elaborated policy of national equality ever since the end of the war. The Croat and Bosniak ethnic communities each claim one side of the river and even support for the local football clubs, Zrinjski and Velež, is divided along ethnic lines. One Bosnian politician called Mostar "divided by a wall between Croats and Bosniaks" in an interview to RTV Slovenia. The number of Serbs remaining in the city following ethnic cleansing during the Bosnian War is negligible.
Economy
Mostar is home to several of the nation's largest companies including the mail delivery firm Hrvatska pošta Mostar, telecomunication company Hrvatske telekomnikacije Mostar, aluminum manufacturer Aluminij and aircraft manufacturer SOKO.
Tourism
Mostar is an important tourist centre in the country. Mostar International Airport serves the city. Mostar's old city is an important tourist destination with the Stari most being its most recognizable feature. The "Rondo shopping centre",and the "Mercator shopping mall" are some of the city's newer attractions. The Catholic pilgrimage site of Međugorje is also nearby.
Old Bridge, June 2006
Recreation and sports
The most popular sport in Mostar is football. The two most successful teams are NK Zrinjski Mostar and Velež Mostar. As of 2006 both teams compete in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since the Bosnian War each club has generally been supported by a particular ethnic group (Zrinjski for the Croats and Velež for the Bosniaks). The matches between the two clubs are some of the country's most intense matches.
Bijeli Brijeg Stadium and Vrapčići are the city's two main football grounds.
In basketball HKK Zrinjski Mostar competes at the nation's highest level while the Zrinjski banner also represents the city in the top handball league.
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Mostar 
