Bali is a small Indonesian island located near Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Malaysia. Its warm, tropical climate and beautiful beaches attract tourists, and its Hindu culture and artistic heritage make it unique. The island’s economy relies heavily on tourism, which was impacted by terrorist attacks in 2002 and 2005 but has since improved.
Bali is one of the 17,000 islands (6,000 inhabited) archipelago that make up the country of Indonesia. It is only 90 miles (145km) long and 50 miles (80km) wide and can easily be traversed in a day. The island is just east of the island of Java and west of Lombok in the Indian Ocean. It lies about 8° below the equator, making it a part of the Southern Hemisphere.
Neighboring countries
Bali is an Indonesian province, which means it has its own provincial government and local customs. It is located in the southernmost part of the country and is near the northern tip of Australia. The closest country to the east is Papua New Guinea; Malaysia is located in the north and northwest. Traveling straight north past Indonesia’s other provinces of South, Central, West and East Kalimantan lies the South China Sea, home to Vietnam and the Philippines. Bali is located approximately 3,356 miles (5,400 km) south of Beijing.
Climate and topography
The island’s climate is generally described as tropical: the climate is warm most of the year, although there are wet and dry seasons. The almost constant temperatures make the island an ideal place for growing citrus fruits, rice and coffee beans. Most of the residents work in agriculture.
While many of the islands that make up Indonesia are beautiful and attractive, this one is often considered to be particularly attractive. Much of the island is surrounded by beaches with clear water, and coral reefs are common. Mount Agung, an active volcano, rises 10,308 feet (3,142 meters) above the ground in the center of the island. The hinterland is thick with green rice fields.
Culture and Population
The total population of Indonesia is approximately 231 million, of which approximately 3 million are Balinese. Most people living in Indonesia are Muslims, but the majority of those in Bali practice the Hindu faith. In fact, it is home to most of Indonesia’s Hindu minority. The island is something of a mix of two worlds, as there is a large Islamic influence alongside a strong Hindu attraction.
The island also has a fascinating cultural heritage. Ubud, in the center of the island, is known for its arts and crafts, including wood carving, batik making and painting. Balinese dance and Gamelan orchestra performances are common. Small artistic touches can often be seen in the form of small offerings presented to Hindu gods.
Turismo
The island is a very popular tourist destination and tourism makes up a significant part of the economy. However, the terrorist attacks of 2002 and 2005 caused a serious decline in the number of visitors to the island, although the industry is improving. The popular 2010 film adaptation of the novel Eat Pray Love was filmed in part in Bali, which many believe has reinvigorated tourism, at least among people from North American and European countries.
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