Bali, the Island of the Gods and Pearl of Indonésie
The Island of the Gods, better known as Bali, is an Indonesian island located between Java and Lombok. Separated from these two by the Bali Strait to the west and the Lombok Strait to the east, its
Bali, flagship destination of Indonésie
The Island of the Gods, better known as Bali, is an Indonesian island located between Java and Lombok. Separated from these two by the Bali Strait to the west and the Lombok Strait to the east, its total area is 5,637 km2. Bali is Indonésie's most prized and well-known tourist destination.
Denpasar, the island's largest city, administers the province and is home to over 3.8 million inhabitants. The most important cities remain Kuta and Ubud. The latter is indeed Bali's main cultural and artistic center.
The island is divided into several regions: Bali Utara (West), Barat (North), Tengah (central), Selatan (South) and Timur (eastern). Furthermore, three small islands southeast of Bali are administered by it: Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.
Nusa Penida Island at Bali, photo © Igor Tichonow (via Shutterstock)
The Balinese are predominantly Hindu but there are also Muslim and Protestant communities on the island. While speaking Bahasa Indonesia, the national Indonesian language, the population also possesses its own Balinese dialect which has its roots in Austronesian languages.
The inhabitants live mainly from tourism and agriculture. They cultivate rice, fruits, vegetables and coffee. Fishing also represents an important livelihood resource for them.
Bali, between ocean, mountains and rice fields
Bali's beautiful landscapes are known throughout the world: rice fields, mountains, white sand beaches and turquoise waters. They are highly diverse and equally interesting to discover. The highest mountain on the island is Mount Agung, which rises to 3,142 meters. The island is thus renowned for its volcanic activity and high mountain plateaus.
Rice fields near Ubud, Bali, via Shutterstock
Many animal species are found on the Island of the Gods, the most well-known being the Bali starling and the crab-eating macaque. Many national parks are accessible to visitors, such as the one in western Bali, located in the west of the island.
Balinese culture is one of the richest in the Indonesian archipelago. Rhythmed by traditions and religious ceremonies, music, dance and craftsmanship are the cornerstones of life on the island.
Visiting the temples provides a beautiful insight into the importance the Balinese place on spirituality and their beliefs. To all these discoveries are added numerous activities: scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, hiking and trekking, volcano climbing, shows…
It is especially recommended to head inland to immerse yourself more easily in Balinese culture and thus avoid the crowds at the island's most touristy sites.
