How did the Dayton Accords divide Bosnia and Herzegovina into two political entities?

The Dayton Accords of 1995 ended the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina by establishing the country as a single, sovereign state composed of two highly autonomous political entities. This structure, outlined in the agreement's annexes, serves as the basis for the country's current government.123

The two entities are:

• The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Occupying the western and central areas of the country, this entity is a decentralized federation primarily composed of Bosniaks and Croats. It is further divided into 10 cantons.134
• The Republika Srpska (Bosnian Serb Republic): Located in the north and east, this entity is relatively centralized and is governed as a republic.1354

While these entities possess their own legislatures and presidents, the central government of Bosnia and Herzegovina includes a tripartite presidency and a bicameral parliament to represent the country as a whole. The city of Sarajevo remains the undivided capital of the state.32