Country Info Bali

- Dimensions: 5634,43 km²

- Population: approx. 3.891.428

- Population density: 691 inhabitants per km²

- Language: Indonesia, Balinese

- Currency: Rupiah

- Form of government: Presidential Republic

- Climate: tropical, humid

About 92,3% of the population is Hindu, 5,7% Muslims, 1,4% Christian, and about 0,6 % are Buddhists.

The official language in Bali is Indonesia (Bahasa Indonesia) and Balinese. But in touristic areas, English is widely understood.

Indonesia is shaped by two tropical seasons. Dry season is from April to October, the rain season from October to April. In the rainy season, there is heavy rain, nevertheless, the temperatures are about 30°C.

- approx. 1500 BC the first immigrants from Southern India settled Bali

- Indian traders arrived to the island and spread the Hindu faith

- The first Kingdom was found in 990 AC

- In 1478 the Hindu upper class moved from Java to Bali

- From 1846 to 1908 Bali was occupied by the Dutch in stages

- The Dutch ruled the island until 1942

- Until 1945 Indonesia and Bali were annexed by the Japanese

- August the 17 in 1945 the independence of Indonesia was declared

- Bali has since become a part of Indonesia

- In 1963 the volcano Gunung Agung erupted and thousands of people were killed

- On 12 of October 2002 202 people died in a bomb attempt in two nightclubs in Kuta

- On the first of October in 2005 26 people lost their lives in an bomb attempt in Kuta and Jimbaran

- Bali has recovered from the attacks very well and is now a paradise for visitors

Most of the people in Bali are employed in the sector of agriculture. The main crop is rice and the most important export product are coconuts, pork and Arabica-coffee. Besides fishing and selling of fish is very important and a traditional work. The only successful international economic sector is textile industry. Nowadays tourism is the most important source of income. Approximately 4 million tourists visit the island every year. Nevertheless Bali is very successful in keeping its cultural identity.

Employment of the population:

- 59 % agriculture

- 19 % trade (textile, construction industry, mechanic goods)

- 22 % tourism (trade, finance, hospitality industry)

Bali and its neighboring islands have been one of the 38 provinces of the republic. The Indonesian provincial regions are each administered by a governor. The residence of the Balinese Governor, I Wayan Koster, is based in Denpasar, Bali. Bali is divided into 9 counties and 1 urban district. Their Councils and First Mayors are ruled by the Governor. The Mayor of the villages rules the villages, which are divided into different districts.

Culture and religion are closely connected in Bali. The everyday life of the Balinese is determined by Hinduism. Therefore, Bali is characterized by temples and offerings. Hinduism is practiced openly, and dominates the life of every Balinese family. In front of every house or shop, you may find small offerings decorated with flowers and other daily consumer goods such as cigarettes, candy, crackers, etc. These types of offerings are called the “Canangs”. Furthermore, the Balinese worship the Gods and obtain the balance of the universe. You can read “Om Swastiastu” which means “God bless you” above many entrances or in places where celebration is taking place.

In each household, there are family temples and shrines which are called “Palinggih”, where offerings are made and served to Gods and the Ancestors. These ritual practices are ingrained in everyday life and are considered important activities to maintain spiritual harmony and receive blessings from the Gods and the Ancestors. As a result, there are many ritual festivities that occur on special holy days that are labeled and scheduled via Balinese calendar system.

The important factor in the Balinese society is the relationships between family and community. Each individual in the community belongs to a certain “Banjar”, which are infrastructural developments within a defined radius of the villages or community. Furthermore, regular meetings from youth to elders are held to maintain ritual traditions and to vote on impendings.