Interesting Facts About Bali, Indonesia

 

Interesting Facts About Bali, Indonesia

Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Indonesia. Whether you want to explore the beaches, are a wildlife enthusiast, or are a lover of art, Bali is ready to give you the ultimate treat.

In this article, you’ll uncover heaps of fun and interesting facts about Bali, the “Island of Gods”!

Bali Facts -

• The capital and largest city of Bali is Denpasar. With 1 million residents, it is home to a quarter of the island’s population.

• Bali is also a province that includes the main island of Bali plus around 30 small islands off its coast. It is one of 34 provinces in Indonesia. 

• The islands of Bali cover an area of 5780 km2 (2232 mi2), about half the size of Jamaica. 

• Bali is the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands, an archipelago that stretches 1900 km (1190 mi).

• Bali sits 8.5 degrees south of the equator, similar to the southern end of the Amazon Rainforest.

• Bali is said to have the world’s highest density of spas, with over 1200 of them on the small island.

• The sand of Lovina beach is black, as is was created from volcanic rock.

Balinese Cultural Facts - 

• Bali is an artistically rich island, with unique art forms including painting, sculpture, woodcarving, poetry, handcrafts, dance, and various other performing arts.

• Bali is also known for its traditional gamelan music, which is also common in Java. The music often accompanies traditional wayang (puppet theater) performances.

• 87% of Balinese practice Balinese Hinduism which combines indigenous animistic beliefs with Indian Hinduism and Buddhism.

• Officially, Indonesia only allows monotheistic religions, but it is flexible with Bali, and considers Balinese Hinduism monotheistic, even though there are many gods and goddesses.

• Bali has an Indian-style Hindu caste system. It affects the language people use, names they choose, jobs they get, and who they marry.

• Balinese temples, called puras, exhibit unique architecture. They are open air spaces with their most sacred space on the mountain side. They are often the focal point of colorful festivals.

• Two other iconic Balinese temples are the lakeside Pura Ulun Danu Bratan and Pura Tanah Lot, which occupies a rocky outcrop on the sea.

Historical Facts -

• Bali and Java were connected until the end of the last ice age.

• Austronesian people first inhabited Bali as early as 2000 BCE, coming from Taiwan and populating numerous islands in Southeast Asia and across the Pacific.

• Hinduism arrived in Bali as early as the 1st century CE.

• By around 1000 CE, Bali was an independent kingdom whose people practiced Hindu-Buddhism. The name Bali was already being used at the time.

• Portuguese were the first to lay eyes on Bali in 1512.

• When the Hindu Majapahit Empire empire on Java fell in 1520 and many people fled to Bali.

• Bali’s various Hindu kingdoms remained independent for hundreds of years and developed a distinct Balinese identity and culture.