Banja Luka
Banja Luka (Serbian Cyrillic: Бања Лука, pronounced [bǎɲa lǔːka] ⓘ) or Banjaluka (Serbian Cyrillic: Бањалука, pronounced [baɲalǔːka]) is the second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the largest city of Republika Srpska, of which it is also the de facto capital. Banja Luka is the traditional centre of the densely-forested Bosanska Krajina region of northwestern Bosnia. According to the 2013 census, the city proper has a population of 138,963, while its administrative area comprises a total of 185,042 inhabitants.
Banja Luka
Бања Лука (Serbian) | |
|---|---|
City | |
| Grad Banja Luka Град Бања Лука City of Banja Luka | |
Panoramic view of Banja Luka Mariastern Abbey | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Location within Republika Srpska / Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
Banja Luka Location within Bosnia and Herzegovina Banja Luka Location within Europe Banja Luka Banja Luka (Europe) | |
| Coordinates: 44°46′21″N 17°11′33″E | |
| Country | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Entity | Republika Srpska |
| Geographical region | Bosanska Krajina |
| Government | |
| • Body | City Assembly of Banja Luka |
| • Mayor | Draško Stanivuković (PDP) |
| Area | |
| • City | 1,238.91 km2 (478.35 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 163 m (535 ft) |
| Population (2013 census) | |
| • City | 185,042 |
| • Urban | 138,963 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 78000 |
| Area code | +387 51 |
| Website | www |
The city is home to the University of Banja Luka and University Clinical Center of the Republika Srpska, as well as numerous entity and state institutions for Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina, respectively. The city lies on the Vrbas river and is well known in the countries of the former Yugoslavia for being full of tree-lined avenues, boulevards, gardens, and parks. Banja Luka was designated European city of sport in 2018.