The Hydrogeological Map of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a specific type of thematic map that illustrates the quantity, composition, chemical properties, location, dimensions, geological characteristics, features, and phenomena of groundwater. According to its scale, the mentioned Hydrogeological Map (HGK) falls into the category of medium-scale maps, i.e., 1:500,000, and is classified as an overview map. To better depict relationships on a map of this scale, special attention was given to the hydrogeological categorization of the terrain. All lithological units, a total of 38 types of rocks and rock complexes, were classified into 12 hydrogeological categories based on the type of porosity and the degree of water abundance. The hydrogeological categories with high transmissivity are represented by intense shades of the corresponding color, making it easy to visualize the spatial position of the main aquifers on the map. Due to its visualization, the hydrogeological map can facilitate the presentation of hydrogeological research results; therefore, it is an invaluable tool for communication between investors, researchers, water experts, local government units, and the general public.
The Hydrogeological Map of Bosnia and Herzegovina was created in 1980 at a scale of 1:500,000, initially by Geoinžinjering Sarajevo - OOUR Institute for Geotechnics and Hydrogeology - N. Miošić, the Institute for Geological Research of SR Montenegro, Titograd, OOUR Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology - V. Radulović, the Geological Institute Zagreb - OOUR for Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, A. Šarin, F. Fritz, K. Donadini, the Geological Institute Skopje - OOUR Institute for Geotechnics and Hydrogeology - G. Kotevski, D. Đuzelkovski, the Geological Institute Ljubljana - TOZD Geology, Geomechanics and Geophysics, F. Drobne, M. Božović, and the Geological Institute Belgrade - OOUR Institute for Hydrogeological and Geotechnical Research - A. Ivković. The unique map was created by M. Komatina and A. Ivković. The technical editing was carried out by the Laboratory for Geological Mapping Methods RGF, Belgrade - B. Petrović. The authors of the Hydrogeological Map Interpreter are M. Komatina, A. Ivković, and A. Šarin. The interpreter was completed in 1981. This map represents one of the strategic interests of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina as it can be directly used for the development of spatial plans at the Federation level, as well as at lower levels such as cantons and municipalities, providing valuable data for planning and designing in mining, water management, hydroenergy, as well as in land remediation, utilization and protection of groundwater, water supply, and other areas of spatial planning and environmental protection, education, and science. The preparation of this map is primarily based on the synthesis of existing data and the results of previous hydrogeological research. It was created in vector format by the Federal Institute for Geology in accordance with modern Geographic Information System (GIS) software programs, and the water features and characteristics contained in this map are an integral part of the Hydrogeological Database (gdb). The Hydrogeological Map of Bosnia and Herzegovina in raster form was published more recently by the Geological Institute RS.