About Bali
Bali, a culturally rich Indonesian province, is a globally acclaimed tourist destination celebrated for its vibrant arts, Hindu traditions, and picturesque landscapes.
Bali, located in the westernmost part of the Lesser Sunda Islands and forming a province of Indonesia, is renowned for its cultural richness and serves as Indonesia’s primary tourist destination. Positioned between Java and Lombok, the province comprises the main island of Bali along with smaller offshore islands like Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan to the southeast. Denpasar, the provincial capital, is the most populous city in the Lesser Sunda Islands.
Recognized as the only Hindu-majority province in Indonesia, Bali boasts a unique cultural identity with 86.9% of the population adhering to Balinese Hinduism. The province is celebrated for its well-developed arts, encompassing traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, leatherwork, metalworking, and music. Additionally, it hosts international events such as the Indonesian International Film Festival, Miss World 2013, the 2018 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, and the 2022 G20 summit.
Bali’s significance extends beyond culture; it is part of the Coral Triangle, known for its exceptional marine biodiversity. The Subak irrigation system, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, originated in Bali, underscoring the island’s historical and agricultural importance. While Bali has a confederation of traditional royal Balinese houses, these are not officially recognized by the Indonesian government.
Historically, Bali was inhabited around 2000 BC by Austronesian people who migrated from Taiwan to Southeast Asia. The island’s ancient history reflects a diverse religious landscape with nine Hindu sects coexisting. The influence of Indian, Chinese, and Hindu cultures became pronounced around the 1st century AD, shaping Bali’s religious and cultural practices.
The Majapahit Empire’s establishment of a Balinese colony in 1343 marked a pivotal moment in Bali’s history, leading to a unique national identity and advancements in culture, arts, and economy. The Dutch East India Company arrived in 1597, gradually establishing political and economic control, culminating in the Dutch colonial rule in the late 19th century.
Bali’s liberation by the British in 1945, following the Japanese occupation during World War II, marked a turning point. It was later incorporated into the Republic of the United States of Indonesia in 1949. The 1963 eruption of Mount Agung and subsequent political conflicts in the 1960s brought challenges, but Bali’s post-1965 growth in tourism significantly improved its economic conditions.
Despite challenges like the 2002 and 2005 bombings that impacted tourism, Bali has remained a global tourist destination. Recent events, such as the eruption of Mount Agung in 2017 and the hosting of the 2022 G20 summit, continue to shape Bali’s dynamic and multifaceted identity on the global stage.
