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Bali, one of the thousands of islands constructing the Indonesian Archipelago, has long been renowned as a leading tourist destination in South Pasific or even in the World for its exotic and vibrant art and culture, natural beauties and the hospitality of the people. It is the perfect holiday destination for all ages offers something for everyone. It is so immaculate and so picturesque that it could almost be painted as a backdrop. This tropical paradise has a unique blend of modern tourist facilities combined with wonderful shopping and a rich past and heritage.
Its spectacular rice fields and terraces, volcanoes, lakes, temples and its deeply spiritual and artistic roots make it one of the most visited places in the world, deserving its reputation of ”Paradise on Earth”. The religion and the cultural identity that characterize Bali are unique in the Indonesian Archipelago. Thanks to their complex rituals, languages, as well as their system of castes, the Balinese have, to their credit, preserved their traditions in spite of the growing tourist industry.
Geography and quick facts
Located 8 degrees south of the equator, in the midst of the 17 000 islands of the Indonesian Archipelago, Bali measures approximately 140 km by 80 km and has an area of 5 620 km2. Immediately east of Java, Bali is the first of the Sunda Islands. Its mountain range consists mostly of active volcanoes, with the highest, Mount Gunung Agung, reaching 3142 meters. Stretched to the south and north of these volcanoes, Bali's most fertile agricultural lands produce abundant crops of rice. The west, thinly populated, is the only non-cultivated area and includes Bali's National Park, a deeply forested area, with rare varieties of plants and birds. The eastern and northeastern slopes of (Gunung Agung are arid, as is the Bukit Peninsula to the south. The climate is hot and humid with an average temperature of 28 degrees celcius. The rainy season lasts from October to March and the percentage of humidity fluctuates between 75% and 80% depending on the season.
As a part of 30 provinces in Republik Indonesia, Bali is divided into 8 regencies (Badung, Gianyar, Tabanan, Bangli, Karangasem, Jembrana, Buleleng and Klungkung), 1 municipal city (Denpasar), 51 districts and 666 administrative villages. Denpasar is the capital city of Bali province.
Bali has 5.632,86 square kilometers of land.
The total population is approximately 3.021.247 people.
Climate
Bali has tropical climate all year with two diferrent seasons namely dry season from April to October and wet season from November to March. The average temperature hovers around 30 degrees Celsius year-round. The average yearly rainfall between 893,4 mm till 2702,6 mm with average humidity is 79%.
Immigration & Customs
Customs regulations allow, per adult, a maximum of one litter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100 gram of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume. Photographic, video and filming equipments, radio, typewriter and car are admitted as they are recorded in you passport on entry and taken out on departure. Narcotics, arms and ammunition TV, sets and Chinese medicines are items that strictly prohibited while fresh fruit, plant and animals must be passed by the Quarantine Office.
Exchanging Currency
Most foreign currencies are easily changed at banks, hotels or money changers. Banking hours are from 8.00am to 14.00 noon Mondays to Fridays, and from 8.00am to 11.00am on Saturdays. Bank in Hotels usually stay open longer hours while Money Changers are generally open till evening. ATM is available in many places, provides VISA, MASTER, ALTO and more.
Calling abroad
Bali is linked via satellite to all major countries in the world and to make an International call can be made from any private house, business center, hotel telephone, or "Wartel" (Telecommunication Counter). Internet is also can be reached at many "Warnet" (Internet Counter).For local and international phone and fax service look out for a sign like this: Int'l Direct Dialing 001 or 008 + country code + area code + local telephone number.
Time
Standard time zone UTC/GMT + 8 hours
Religion
Hinduism is adhered by almost 95% of its population of about 3 millions, specifically blend with Budhism and the Anchestor worship to make it inseparable from everyday life and no opportunity is missed to worship God in an unending series of ceremonies stretches from birth up to after death.
Everyday life of the Balinese merges with social duties and religious obligations while the art reflects an unnoticed integration of environment, religion and community in which individual is apart.
History
It is believed that Bali's first inhabitants came from China at the beginning of the Iron Age, around 3000 BC. Some Buddhist inscriptions date from the 9th century AD, but it was only in the 11th century that the Hindu influence, omnipresent in Java, made its mark on the island. Under the reign of King Airlangga, cultural exchanges between the two islands were developed. In the 13th century, the son of king Kertanegara founded the Majapahit dynasty which flourished for three centuries.
At the end of this time, chased by the arrival of Islam, the Javanese aristocracy, its nobles, priests, artists and artisans fled to Bali. During this era, the island enjoyed an intense period of cultural development, the main traits of which are to be found today in the caste system, the rituals and certain artistic styles. The first Dutch seamen landed in Bali in 1597. The settlement and colonization process, which actually only started in 1800, was marked by troubled times and climaxed with the "Puputan" or collective suicide of the 14th of September 1906, when 4000 Balinese killed themselves rather than capitulate. The Japanese occupation, from 1942 to 1945, hindered the Dutch sovereignty.
0n the 17th of August 1945, Sukarno, the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, proclaimed independence. In Bali, at the battle of Marga in 1946 the Dutch, who did not recognize the declaration of independence, faced a group of 94 soldiers led by Lt. Col. I Gusti Ngurah Rai, who refused to surrender. The Bali international airport is named after him. In 1949, the Dutch finally withdrew.
Balinese Life
The strong cultural identity of Bali is based on a combination of closely related elements such as the unique religion, the language, the castes, the community life, the land cultivation and the expression of its art. Of the four castes, Brahmana, Satria and Wesia represent 10% of the population whereas the Sudras (the farmers and craftsmen) represent the great majority. The caste system, still very much alive today, regulates, apart from their religious power, the different levels of the Balinese language.
Although the official language is Bahasa Indonesia, Balinese remains the everyday dialect of the people of the island. Each Balinese belongs to his or her caste, but foremost to their community, which from birth to death regulates life in its social and religious aspects. Numerous ceremonies mark the progression of life, starting with the first birthday, 210 days after birth, which is the length of a Balinese year. Childhood is treated with respect and gentleness until teen years, celebrated with the tooth filing ceremony. Marriage is the definite and official entry into the community of which every Balinese becomes an active member. Participation at the meetings of the "Banjar", (virtual local government which manages village life, from wedding ceremonies, cremations, village security and land transactions), is everyone’s given duty. The administration of the rice fields is under another essential communal organization: the Subak, to which each landowner belongs.
The whole irrigation system, unique in the world, is managed by this association which ensures the fair distribution of water, and carries out the ceremonial rites to the spirits of agriculture. This perfect organization makes the Balinese the best rice farmers of Indonesia. In this compact cultural unity, one ethnic group stands out: the Bali Aga. They are the descendants of the first inhabitants before the arrival of the Majapahit. Their customs, far from all Hindu influence, are believed to be of prehistorically origin. Arts, music, dance and their wove textiles are subject to specific rituals. The two best known Bali Aga villages are Tenganan, above Candi Dasa and Trunyan on Lake Batur. |
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