Bali : Mosaic of the Indonesian Archipelago
Situated in the midst of Indonesian archipelago between Java in the west and Lombok in the east, Bali is the main gate to Indonesia for huge number of visitors. With all its particularities ranging from the amazing beauty of its landscapes, the mildness of its climate, to the uniqueness of its culture and traditions, Bali is in fact an ultimate tourist destination not only in Indonesia but also in Sout Est Asia. Behind the image of a dream destination, Bali is a true worldly paradise and a unique place in the world where all aspects of life that support a nice and successful holiday can be found here such as friendly people whose lives are in harmony with ancestral tradition and spirituality colored with undying ceremonies, natural beauty, extraordinary cultural heritage, etc.
Bali has an average size of about 160 kilometers from west to east and 112 kilometers from north to south, with a total area of 5,640 km ². In the middle of the island there are mountain ranges stretching from west to east ending at the peak point of Mount Agung at 3142 meters. Because of this volcanic chain, the island is divided into two unequal plains, that is, the southern plain and the northern plain. The southern plain is much more abundant of rice fields spreading out more widely with a larger population, while the northern plain is smaller and generally less humid. Being an integral part of Indonesia, Bali is one of the 33 provinces of the country headed by a governor supervising 8 regencies (kabupaten) that derive from 8 former small kingdoms and a city of Denpasar, the capital of Bali.
Thanks to the generosity of its nature as well as the skill of “know-how” of its people, Bali has long developed irrigated rice fields that are highly productive along the year (usually 2 - 3 harvests every year). The abundance of rice fields on the southern plains stepping up on the slopes of the mountains in terraced fields serve as spectacular handmade sceneries. Similarly, the work of irrigation and water distribution into the rice fields are perfectly done by an organization called “subak” which is responsible for controlling the cycle of rice farming. Rice that serves as object of agriculture as well as object of worship is a staple food and a cultural pattern of the Balinese people.
Being favored by nature and tourism, Bali today with its 3.9 million inhabitants is one of the most prosperous regions in Indonesia. In the midst of globalization era, the Balinese people can still enjoy the modernism that invades them while perpetually maintaining their identity, their ancestral heritages and their way of life from any external disruption. In short, with all its potentials and particularities, Bali is a "mosaic" of the Indonesian archipelago that never stops radiating its mysteries arousing the travelers’ desire to uncover its beauty.
