Introduction of Bali

Bali is one of the thousand island that make up the Indonesian Archipelago. Bali has been famous world wide as a leading tourist destination, known for its exotic and vibrant art and culture, nature beauties and the hospitality of the people.

Bali has an area of 5.653 square kilometers. The island consists mostly of an East-West string of mountains and their alluvial that are widest on the south side. About 95% of Bali's million people practice a form of Hinduism, blended with Buddhism, animism and ancestor worship. For the Balinese people, their religion is inseparable from everyday life. Nobody misses and opportunity to worship God in unending series of ceremonies that extend from birth to death, and far beyond.

Most Balinese people are rice farmers. Other important crops include: coconut, vanilla, cloves, and maize (corn). Bali also known for its wide variety of tropical fruits such as, mangoes, mandarin oranges, bananas, salak (snake skin fruit), grapes, and many others. Tourism and agriculture are not the only job opportunities. Small scale and home industries such as handicrafts are also flourishing. English is widely understood in major tourist areas. Japanese, Frence, Gremany and other foreign languages are also spoken. But less commonly that English.

The Balinese philosophy of life is called "Tri Hita Karana". Tri Hita Karana dictates that happiness can only achieved if there are harmonious relationship between human and God, between human and their community, and between human and their environment. This philosophy is part of every aspect of the daily lives of all Balinese people.

Bali has year round mild and agreeable climates. In coastal areas the average daily temperatures from May through July are about 28 degree Celsius (82 degree Fahrenheit). It is only a little warmer between March and October, about 30-degree Celsius (86 degree Fahrenheit). The most pleasent weather is between May and September.

The Government of Bali tries to maintain and preserve the Balinese way of the life by developing tourism that is based upon Hinduism interwoven with ancient traditions. Many nicknames have been given to this small island such as, The island of Thousand Temples, The Morning of the World, Paradise Island, Island of The Gods, and many others. The latest nickname; The Island of Peace was bestowed upon Bali by the 51th annual Conference that met in India in 2002.