Novo Mesto is one of the largest cities in Slovenia and the most important settlement of the Region of South East Slovenia, that is, part of the state between Ljubljana and Zagreb. Novo Mesto is also the administrative center of the municipality of the same name in Novo Mesto.

Novo Mesto has been in the possession of the Habsburgs for centuries. In 1918, it received the present name and joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later Yugoslavia, to be one of the leading cities of Slovenia today.

Relief: Novo Mesto is located in the center of the Dolenjska region, in the valley of the Krka River, at the point where its valley crosses from the cliff part into a wider field. Around the city there is a wreck, and the oldest part of the city is called "Breg", because of the position on the bank above Krka.

Climate: There is moderate continental climate in the city.

Waters: Through the city flows the river Krka and divides the city into an old and new part.

Novo Mesto is one of the most developed cities in Slovenia for the past 100 years. The reason for this is the development of Slovenia's traffic connections with the East, which were reflected in the construction of a modern highway near the settlement. Thanks to the good position in the city, the light industry, but also the vehicle industry and the cosmetics industry, developed primarily.

Banja Luka is the largest city of the Republika Srpska entity and second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the capital Sarajevo. The city lies on the River Vrbas and is well known in the countries of the former Yugoslavia for being full of tree-lined avenues, boulevards, gardens, and parks. According to the 2013 census the City of Banja Luka, has 185,042 inhabitants.

Banja Luka has a moderate humid subtropical climate which borders a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of 21.3 °C. The coldest month of the year is January, when temperatures average near freezing at 0.8 °C.

Due to its long history, Banja Luka is rich in culture. There are several museums including the Museum of Bosanska Krajina, the Ethnographic Museum established in 1930, and the Museum of Modern Art of Republika Srpska which is also called MSURS the Museum of Contemporary Art. Banja Luka is also the home of the national theatre and library, both dating from the first half of the 20th century, and of numerous other theatres. The headquarters of the Archives of Republika Srpska is situated in the building known as Carska kuća or Imperial House, build around 1880. It has been in continuous public use longer than any other structure in Banja Luka.

The natural beauties of the surrounding area guarantee the city of Banja Luka a good position in tourism. he city and surrounding area boast a number of popular tourist attractions. Among the most famous are the pools, thermal springs, and spas in the region. Due to its parks and over 10 000 trees Banja Luka was once nicknamed the "Green City".