It is one of the three southern European peninsulas and 500,000 square kilometres in size: the Balkan Peninsula. Poetically, it forms the geographical border between the Occident and the Orient. Its name refers to its natural wealth: BALKAN - "MOUNTAINS WITH MANY FORESTS". In fact, the Balkan Peninsula is a treasure trove of ecological diversity. Its hidden wealth: an abundance of national and nature parks - from Slovenia to Greece. From the Alps to the sea.
As in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their landscape is characterised by rivers, lakes and the rugged Dinaric Mountains. Their fauna and flora is rich in species and diverse.
Due to the difficult accessibility, their flora and fauna is little threatened until today.
On his cinematic journey, filmmaker Jeremy JP Fekete visits the UNA National Park. Its eponymous Una River features miles of gorges, cascades, river travertines and numerous waterfalls. It is also valued as one of the largest fly-fishing spots in Europe. And in its forests, around 60 bears find a home again.
Not far from Una National Park lies its little brother: Kozara National Park. Affectionately called "Green Beauty". A few years ago, a law was passed prohibiting logging for economic use. Here, a primeval forest is to develop again in a self-renewing world - with the help of insects and beetles.
It is a unique Mediterranean swamp in the Neretva Delta and one of the largest wintering grounds for birds in Europe. Hutovo Blato Nature Park. Only 20 km from the Adriatic Sea, its watery Mediterranean marsh is home to several 100 different species of flora and fauna. A natural melting pot for vegetation and wildlife - yet threatened by man.