In political-territorial organization of Republic of Srpska territory, which consists of municipalities and towns, Banja Luka (former municipality, now city) is the biggest political-territorial unit with area of 1.239 square kilometers.

It is University, economic financial, political and administrative center of Republic of Srpska (one of two entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina) and it is the second biggest city in B&H with around 250.000 citizens.

Banja Luka is located in a valley, at altitude of 164 meters in transition between Dinarske mountains in the south and Panonian pool in the north. The city is in Central European time zone (GMT+1) and it has mid-continental climate, with dominant influence of Panonian area. Mean year temperature is 10,7° C mean January temperature is 0,8° C and mean July temperature is 21,3° Celsius.

Due to great number of green places (parks), Banja Luka is also called “city of greenness”. It is also called “the city of youth, sport and culture”. Banja Luka used to be strong economic center with developed industrial structure, especially mechanic, electro, drapery, alimentary and cellulose industry. Passed war period (1992.-1995. g.) and postwar period social transitions create devastation of most industrial capacities and market.

In postwar period, Banja Luka opens towards countries of market economy and it looks for its possibilities in development of trade, tourism, agriculture and food industries.

City celebration is on 22nd of April, when Banja Luka was liberated from fascism in the World War II.

The first mentioning of the name Banja Luka was in Charter of Hungarian king Vladislav II Jagelovic on the 6th of February 1494. The translation for the name came from philosophers and historians who said that “bani” word which does not exist today apart from the city name, and “luka” meaning flat plane.

Since paleolitic period, different tribes populated both banks of the Vrbas. They stayed there, lived there and developed there. It is known that during pre-roman and roman period this area was populated by Ilirian tribe Mezei who were included in Roman province Ilirik.

Many artifacts found at different locations near today Banja Luka are proof that Romans were at this territory. Romans were first to discover healthy action of mineral waters near Banja Luka: Gornji Seher (Srpske Toplice), Slatina, Laktasi. At that time, Banja Luka was on important rout, built by Romans, from Split (Salona) to Gradiska (Servitium). In the heart of present Banja Luka, there is cultural-historical monument-fortress Kastel. It was Roman military fortress Castra inside which roman soldiers lived.  After ruin of Roman empire, Sloven tribes populated this territory during VI and VII century A.C. During middle ages period many fortresses were built along the Vrbas banks. Relevant data about that are, unfortunately, unknown waiting for etnographs and historians to uncover them.

The first settlement of oriental type, after the arrival of Osmanian empire in 1582, was formed around Careva mahala in Gornji Seher. Banja Luka became the center of vast Bosnian pashaluk, which contributed to faster development of the town. Ferhad-pasha built mills and bridges over the Vrbas. During that period sacral islam monuments were built and they have cultural and historical significance: mosques Ferhadija ( Ferhad-pashe Sokolovic) i Arnaudija ( Husan-efendija), and important elements of urban osmanlan architecture -Sahat kula, located near Ferhadija.

In broader region, during XVI and XVII century, many orthodox monasteries were built as witnesses of Serb middle-ages architecture. These buildings are very beautiful and they have great value.

Monastery Gomionica, built in a stile of Raska school, is located on Zmijanje. Mostanica, built in 1562.is located near Banja Luka, Prijedor and Kozara and it was built in a stile of Moravska school. Monastery Liplje is situated on Borja mountain, near Maslovar. It was built at the end of XV and beginning of the XVI century, with elements of Raska school.

Banja Luka was not spared of destruction during any of the development phases. After short term intrusion of Austrians soldiers in 1688. the city center of Seher was completely burned down. Devastations were continued with battles, fire, plague which devastated the city in the end of the XVIII century.

The period of 350 years of osmanlan rule, in which Banja Luka was administrative unit of different importance, did not contribute to urbanization and modernization of the city. The first Serb schools appeared in Banja Luka at the end of XIX century, the first telegraph appeared in 1866, and railway  Banja Luka–Dobrljin started to work in 1873, two years before the beginning of Bosnian-herzegovinian rebellion due to which it had to be closed.

After the decision of Berlin Congress, Austrohungarian military forces entered Banja Luka in 1878. Local citizens were peaceful and they did not show any resistance. In that period Banja Luka became industrial and professional center. The base for that progress were made by Franciscans from convent Trapisti, which was built in XIX century. Within their convent, they build mill, brewery, brickyard, and they built industry for pasta and famous cheese “trapist”.  Austrians worked on construction of roads, bridges and in 1891 they connected by the railway Banja Luka with Vienna and Budapest. They also used minerals from Laus and from Kotor Varos, many industrial, educational and health institutions were opened. The first hospital was built in 1879, tobacco firm started to work in 1888, and seven years later first pupils sat in the high school. A lot of foreigners moved to Banja Luka. Systematical Austrohungarian Government carried on the first official population census on 22nd April 1895. which showed that there were 13.566 citizens in Banja Luka.

The World War I brought freedom to this region after several centuries of foreign rule. Very important educational figures were: Vaso Pelagic i Ivan Franjo Jukic. Both were involved in political, cultural and theological work which made them arrested, hunted and exiled. They bothe died abroad and they did not succeed to see the liberation of their country.

Eminent fighter for freedom and voice of truth was writer Petar Kocic. The way of showing his resistance to foreign tyranny was starting the journal “Otadzbina”-fatherland in 1907.  Due to his creation he was exiled and arrested. He died in Serbia in 1916. Banja Luka within Monarchy of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians experienced its real prosperity. It became the center of Vrbas region and it had important geostrategic position. Banja Luka owed its prosperity to Svetislav Milosavljevic. The toughest strike in postwar period was the catastrophic earthquake in October 1969. after which the city got its present appearance. Before the breakup of former Yugoslavia, Banja Luka was the second city regarding its size in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to the population census in 1991 there were 150.00 citizens.

The area of Banja Luka has excellent tourism potential. It was recognized even in middle-ages.

Especially important resource is the river Vrbas. This river is suitable for sport such as rafting, sports fishing, kayak and specific boat “dajak” provides special attraction to this river. Also very important resource is mineral water. There are several springs of thermo-mineral water near Banja Luka.

There are many cultural and historical monuments in Banja Luka; they are witnesses of past and human creations. One of the most famous of them is Kastel located in the center of Banja Luka.

Banja Luka is place where different religion communities and their temples are situated. One of the very interesting places is orthodox church "Hrista Spasitelja" in the center of the city and convent in Trapist. This city was visited by Vatican pope Ivan Pavle II in 2003. and that was his last visit to any city or country.

A lot of cultural and sports manifestations take place in Banja Luka every year. The most famous ones are “Summer on the Vrbas”, Kocic’s gathering”, “Banjaluka summer”, “Neofest”, “Kratkofil” etc.

Banja Luka is a host for many national and international competitions, and in 2009 it will be a host of World championship in rafting.