Bali,
island, southern Indonesia, one of the Lesser Sunda Islands,
in the Indian Ocean. It is situated between the island of
Java to the west, from which it is separated by Bali Strait,
and the island of Lombok to the east from which it is separated
by Lombok Strait. Bali is 145 km (90 mi) long and 80 km (50
mi) wide. The principal cities are the northern port of Singaraja
and Denpasar, the capital, near the southern coast. Mountain
ranges cross the island from east to west. The highest point
on the island is Mount Agung (3,142 m/10,308 ft), a volcano
that erupted in March 1963. In the south the land descends
to form an alluvial plain, watered by shallow rivers, dry
in the dry season and overflowing whenever there are periods
of heavy rains.
Economically
and culturally, Bali is one of the most important islands
of Indonesia. Rice is grown on irrigated, terraced hillsides;
other crops include sugarcane, coffee, copra, tobacco, fruits,
and vegetables. Cattle and hogs are also raised. The Balinese
are skilled artisans, particularly in wood carving, and in
fashioning objects of tortoiseshell and of gold, silver, and
other metals. The women of Bali are noted for their traditional
dancing and for their skills in weaving cloth of gold and
silver threads, as well as for embroidering silk and cotton
clothing. The principal religion on the island of Bali is
a variation of Hinduism that incorporates Polynesian religious
rites.
Bali
was first visited by the Dutch in 1597, but Dutch rule was
not firmly established until 1908. In 1946, after the Japanese
occupation of the island during World War II, Bali was included
in the newly formed state of East Indonesia, becoming part
of the United States of Indonesia in 1948. In 1950 Bali became
part of the unified republic of Indonesia. Area, 5,623 sq
km (2,171 sq mi); population (2003 estimate) 3,422,700.
Bali
the world`s best island resort: Travel & Leisure magazine
New York (ANTARA News) - US popular magazine
Travel & Leisure awarded the Indonesian tourist destination
of Bali an appreciation as the best island resort in the world
and in Asia in 2006.
Deputy Indonesian Ambassador to the US Andri
Hadi and Acting Consul General in New York Harbangan Napitupulu
received the citation here on Thursday.
"The Indonesian people and government,
particularly the Balinese, are proud of learning that Bali
has received such citation. It is expected the citation will
improve the international community`s confidence in constantly
choosing Indonesia, Bali in particular, as one of their most
favorite tourist destinations," Indonesian Ambassador
to the US Sudjadnan Parno Hadiningrat, said.
According to the ambassador, the citation
proves that the interest of the international community, the
US in particular, in coming to Indonesia has not declined,
despite the US government`s travel advisory to its nationals
wishing to go to Indonesia.
It is the seventh citation of its kind. Bali
received the first one in 1998 and since 2002 up to now Bali,
dubbed as an Island of Gods, the island always received the
citation.
Four Seasons Resort Bali in Sayan (Jakarta)
ranked second, Four Seasons Resort Bali in Jimbaran beach
(fifth) and Rits Carlton Bali Resort & SPA (seventh) as
the world`s best hotels.
The magazine also presented citations to
Florence in Italy as the best city and Singapore Airlines
as one of the world`s best airline company.(*)
COPYRIGHT © 2006 ANTARA
