Una-Sana Canton

Una-Sana Canton Unsko-sanski kanton (Bosnian) Unsko-sanska županija (Croatian) Унско-сански кантон (Serbian)
Canton
Flag Coat of arms
Una-Sana Canton within Bosnia and Herzegovina
Country	Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cantonal seat	Bihać
Government
• Premier	Nijaz Hušić (SDA)
• Assembly	30 members • SDA (8) • NES (8) • SDP (3) • DF (3) • POMAK (3) • NiP (3) • LS (1) • SBiH (1)
Area
• Total	4,201 km2 (1,622 sq mi)
Population  (2013)
• Total	273,261
• Density	65/km2 (170/sq mi)
Languages
• Official languages	Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Area code	037
ISO 3166 code	BA-01
HDI (2022)	0.773 high · 4th in BiH
Website	www.vladausk.ba

Cantons of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Una-Sana Canton (Bosnian: Unsko-sanski kanton; Croatian: Unsko-sanska županija; Serbian: Унско-сански кантон) is one of the ten cantons of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located in the northwest of the country, a region known as Bosanska Krajina, and has been named after the rivers Una and Sana. Its cantonal seat is the city of Bihać.

The canton is bordered by Republika Srpska from the east, the Canton 10 from the southeast, and Croatia from the south, west, and north. The majority of the population is Bosniak (90%).

Municipalities

The Una-Sana Canton consists of eight municipalities:

Municipality/City	Population	Area (km2)
Cazin	66,149	356
Bihać	56,261	900
Sanski Most	41,475	781
Velika Kladuša	40,419	331
Bosanska Krupa	25,545	561
Bužim	19,340	129
Ključ	16,744	358
Bosanski Petrovac	7,328	709
Total	273,261	4,201

History

The region has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by numerous archaeological sites, ancient fortresses, and medieval towns. Settlements like Bihać, first mentioned by Béla IV of Hungary in 1260, and Ključ, referenced in 1322 by Stephen II, Ban of Bosnia, highlight the area's medieval significance. ​

In 1463, the Ottoman Empire conquered Ključ, marking the fall of the medieval Bosnian state. During Ottoman rule, fortifications such as Ostrožac Castle, dating back to the 13th century, were expanded to strengthen the empire's hold on the region.

Following the Ottoman period, the area became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and later the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Independent State of Croatia, and finally the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

During the Bosnian War (1992–1995), the region experienced significant conflict, including the Siege of Bihać and the founding of the Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia proto-state, which led to the Intra-Bosnian Muslim War (1993–1995).

The canton was officially established on June 12, 1996, following the Washington Agreement.

Geography

The Una and Sana rivers are central to the canton's geography. The Una flows along the western border, while the Sana river flows along the eastern part. Covering an area of 4,201 square kilometers, Una-Sana Canton accounts for about 8.1% of Bosnia and Herzegovina's total territory. The region's climate is classified as Cfb, characterized by moderate cold winters and warm summers. ​

Government

Like all cantons of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the head of the Una-Sana Canton is called the Premier. The current Premier is Nijaz Hušić, having served since 5 December 2023. The legislative body of the Canton is the Assembly of the Una-Sana Canton, which has 30 members.

Demographics

2013 Census

Municipality/City	Nationality						Total
	Bosniaks	%	Croats	%	Serbs	%
Bihać	49,550	88.07	3265	5.80	910	1.61	56,261
Bosanska Krupa	23,578	92.29	66	0.25	1,260	4.93	25,545
Bosanski Petrovac	3,179	43.38	26	0.35	3,996	54.53	7,328
Bužim	19,207	99.31	8	0.04	1	0.005	19,340
Cazin	63,463	95.93	320	0.48	29	0.04	66,149
Ključ	16,130	96.33	30	0.17	273	1.63	16,744
Sanski Most	38,344	92.45	722	1.74	1837	4.42	41,475
Velika Kladuša	32,561	80.55	636	1.57	146	0.36	40,419
Canton	246,012	90.02	5,073	1.85	8,452	3.09	273,261

Infrastructure

Due to the proximity to Croatia and its narrow northern outline, various important traffic lines between Zagreb and the Adriatic traverse the Una-Sana canton, such as the railway line Novi Grad-Bihać-Knin. The airport of Željava is located near Bihać and is located right between the Bosnian and Croatian border.

Economy

Since the 1990s, the region's economy has shifted due to war, migration, and reconstruction. Though among the less industrialized cantons in the Federation, it has strong potential in renewable energy, tourism, and border trade with Croatia. Agriculture remains key in rural areas like Cazin, Bosanska Krupa, and Sanski Most, while forestry and timber exports are also significant. Industry is centered in Bihać, Velika Kladuša, and Cazin. Tourism is growing, led by the Una National Park.

Labor migration is high, with over 10,000 people leaving annually for work in the EU, making it one of the most migration-prone areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

See also

• Political divisions of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bosanska Krajina
• List of heads of the Una-Sana Canton

References

• Fejzović, Emrah (19 January 2022). "Žao mi je zbog porodice i prijatelja, nije lako odreći se državljanstva: Iseljavanje posebno je izraženo u ovom kantonu". Hayat TV. Sarajevo. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
• "Krajišnici odlaze". Federalna televizija. Sarajevo. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
• "Iseljavanje: Najveći broj ljudi odlazi iz Bihaća, Bužima, Velike Kladuše i Bosanske Krupe". Inmedia. Sanski Most. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
• "USK: Izdato oko 11.400 potvrda o nekažnjavanju u svrhu zapošljavanja van BiH". RadioBK. Bosanska Krupa. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
• "USK ostao bez trećine đaka u deset godina, 400 nastavnika prekobrojno, slijedi ukidanje škola?". Dnevnik.ba. Mostar. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
• "Zbog iseljavanja školama prijeti gašenje, nastavnicima upitan posao". Federalna televizija. Sarajevo. 10 September 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.

External links

• Media related to Una-Sana Canton at Wikimedia Commons