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107-453: The archipelago comprises around 6,000 inhabited islands, with the remainder being uninhabited. These islands vary in size and significance, from densely populated and culturally influential Java to small, remote islets. Notable islands include Bali , Sumatra, and Komodo Island , each known for specific attributes such as tourism, natural resources, and unique wildlife. The Maluku , or Spice Islands, are historically significant for their role in

214-516: A Balinese colony in 1343. The uncle of Hayam Wuruk is mentioned in the charters of 1384–86. Mass Javanese immigration to Bali occurred in the next century when the Majapahit Empire fell in 1520. Bali's government then became an independent collection of Hindu kingdoms which led to a Balinese national identity and major enhancements in culture, arts, and economy. The nation with various kingdoms became independent for up to 386 years until 1906 when

321-584: A culturally similar, non-Oceanian subset of the Austronesian peoples . This concept was based on observations by European explorers of the influence of the Srivijaya Empire, which was centered on the island of Sumatra . However, this usage has sparked some controversy in Indonesia, as it raises questions about the broader cultural and historical identities of the region. Together, these classifications highlight

428-595: A few places apart from the West Bali National Park . They are born an orange colour, though they would have already changed to a more blackish colouration by their first year. In Java, however, there is more of a tendency for this species to retain its juvenile orange colour into adulthood, and a mixture of black and orange monkeys can be seen together as a family. Other rarer mammals include the Sunda leopard cat , Sunda pangolin and black giant squirrel . Snakes include

535-402: A massive eruption within the next 100 years. In late 2017 Mount Agung started erupting and large numbers of people were evacuated, temporarily closing the island's airport. Mountains range from centre to the eastern side, with Mount Agung the easternmost peak. Bali's volcanic nature has contributed to its exceptional fertility and its tall mountain ranges provide the high rainfall that supports

642-586: A result of the civil war. However, because they are not controlled by the PRC, they are not included as part of "mainland China." Hong Kong and Macau have been territories of the PRC since 1997 and 1999 respectively. However, due to the One Country, Two Systems policy, the two regions maintain a degree of autonomy, hence they are not governed as part of mainland China. Geographically speaking, Hong Kong and Macau are both connected to mainland China in certain areas (e.g.

749-560: A result of the terrorist bombings in 2002 and 2005 . The tourism industry has since recovered from these events. Although tourism produces the GDP's largest output, agriculture is still the island's biggest employer. Fishing also provides a significant number of jobs. Bali is also famous for its artisans who produce a vast array of handicrafts, including batik and ikat cloth and clothing , wooden carvings , stone carvings, painted art and silverware. Notably, individual villages typically adopt

856-415: A score of 99.65, which was the highest score of Indonesia's 33 provinces. The score considers the level of total suspended solids , dissolved oxygen , and chemical oxygen demand in water. Erosion at Lebih Beach has seen seven metres (23 feet) of land lost every year. Decades ago, this beach was used for holy pilgrimages with more than 10,000 people, but they have now moved to Masceti Beach . In 2017,

963-474: A shared cultural heritage that shaped the region's identity over centuries. The term " Malay Archipelago " ( Indonesian : Kepulauan Melayu ) is sometimes used interchangeably with the Indonesian Archipelago, highlighting the cultural and linguistic connections among Malay-speaking peoples across these islands. This term was derived from the archaic European concept of a ' Malay race ,' referring to

1070-512: A significant role in shaping the cultural and political landscape of the archipelago. One of the earliest and most powerful of these kingdoms was the Srivijaya Empire, which emerged in the 7th century in Sumatra . Srivijaya dominated trade in Southeast Asia for several centuries, controlling the strategic Malacca and Sunda Straits and facilitating the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism throughout

1177-584: A significant subgroup, divided into the Greater Sunda Islands —including Sumatra, Java, Borneo ( Kalimantan ), and Sulawesi—known for their size, population density, and economic significance, and the Lesser Sunda Islands , extending eastward from Bali and characterized by smaller islands such as Lombok , Sumbawa , Flores , and Timor , each with distinct cultural and ecological attributes. The term " Nusantara ”, originating from Old Javanese ,

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1284-492: A single product, such as wind chimes or wooden furniture. The Arabica coffee production region is the highland region of Kintamani near Mount Batur . Generally, Balinese coffee is processed using the wet method. This results in a sweet, soft coffee with good consistency. Typical flavours include lemon and other citrus notes. Many coffee farmers in Kintamani are members of a traditional farming system called Subak Abian , which

1391-833: A specific deity as its personal Godhead. Inscriptions from 896 and 911 do not mention a king, until 914, when Sri Kesarivarma is mentioned. They also reveal an independent Bali, with a distinct dialect, where Buddhism and Shaivism were practised simultaneously. Mpu Sindok 's great-granddaughter, Mahendradatta (Gunapriyadharmapatni), married the Bali king Udayana Warmadewa (Dharmodayanavarmadeva) around 989, giving birth to Airlangga around 1001. This marriage also brought more Hinduism and Javanese culture to Bali. Princess Sakalendukirana appeared in 1098. Suradhipa reigned from 1115 to 1119, and Jayasakti from 1146 until 1150. Jayapangus appears on inscriptions between 1178 and 1181, while Adikuntiketana and his son Paramesvara in 1204. Balinese culture

1498-468: A specific geographic area. The confederation is the successor of the Bali Kingdom . The royal houses, which originated before Dutch colonisation , are not recognised by the government of Indonesia. Bali was inhabited around 2000 BC by Austronesian people who migrated originally from the island of Taiwan to Southeast Asia and Oceania through Maritime Southeast Asia . Culturally and linguistically,

1605-581: A vibrant maritime trade network and contributed to the spread of Islam throughout the region. The European colonial era began in the early 16th century with the arrival of Portuguese explorers, who sought to control the lucrative spice trade. The Portuguese established a foothold in the Maluku Islands, but their influence was soon challenged by the Dutch and the British . The Dutch East India Company (VOC) emerged as

1712-437: A wide range of species but also provide crucial resources and livelihoods for millions of Indonesians. The Indonesian archipelago is characterized by significant ethnic diversity, comprising approximately 1,300 distinct native ethnic groups . The majority of Indonesians are descended from Austronesian peoples , whose languages trace back to Proto-Austronesian , likely originating in present-day Taiwan . Another prominent group

1819-426: A year when Bali received nearly 5.7 million tourists, government officials declared a "garbage emergency" in response to the covering of 3.6-mile stretch of coastline in plastic waste brought in by the tide, amid concerns that the pollution could dissuade visitors from returning. Indonesia is one of the world's worst plastic polluters, with some estimates suggesting the country is the source of around 10 per cent of

1926-444: Is also prominent, with Islam being the predominant faith, followed by significant populations of Christians , Hindus , and Buddhists . Despite the strong sense of regional identities, there exists a robust sense of Indonesian national identity. Bali Bali ( English: / ˈ b ɑː l i / ; ᬩᬮᬶ ) is a province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands . East of Java and west of Lombok ,

2033-454: Is based on the Hindu philosophy of " Tri Hita Karana ". According to this philosophy, the three causes of happiness are good relations with God , other people, and the environment. The Subak Abian system is ideally suited to the production of fair trade and organic coffee production. Arabica coffee from Kintamani is the first product in Indonesia to request a geographical indication . In 1963

2140-501: Is commonly used in Indonesia to denote the Indonesian archipelago. This term emphasizes unity as a maritime nation with diverse cultures and landscapes spanning Southeast Asia and Oceania. It is closely associated with the historical era of Majapahit in Java, a period marked by extensive maritime dominance in the region. Majapahit's influence extended through trade networks, maritime routes, and

2247-560: Is considered Bali's cultural centre. The province is Indonesia's main tourist destination, with a significant rise in tourism since the 1980s, and becoming an Indonesian area of overtourism . Tourism-related business makes up 80% of the Bali economy. Bali is the only Hindu-majority province in Indonesia, with 86.9% of the population adhering to Balinese Hinduism . It is renowned for its highly developed arts, including traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking, and music. The Indonesian International Film Festival

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2354-642: Is held every year in Bali. Other international events that have been held in Bali include Miss World 2013 , the 2018 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group and the 2022 G20 summit . In March 2017, TripAdvisor named Bali as the world's top destination in its Traveller's Choice award, which it also earned in January 2021. Bali is part of the Coral Triangle ,

2461-528: Is home to approximately 28,000 species of flowering plants, including around 2,500 species of orchids. Some of the most notable plants include the Rafflesia arnoldii , which produces the world’s largest flower, and the titan arum, known for its enormous inflorescence and distinctive odor. The fauna of Indonesia is equally diverse and includes many endemic species. The archipelago hosts around 1,531 bird species, 515 of which are endemic. Notable avian residents include

2568-459: Is in place from approximately October to April, and this can bring significant rain, particularly from December to March. During the rainy season, there are comparatively fewer tourists seen in Bali. During the Easter and Christmas holidays, the weather is very unpredictable. Outside of the monsoon period, humidity is relatively low and any rain is unlikely in lowland areas. Bali lies just to the west of

2675-484: Is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, and it is among the 17 Megadiverse countries identified by Conservation International . This vast area spans both the Asian and Australian biogeographic zones, resulting in a unique and rich array of flora, fauna, and marine life. Indonesian archipelago diverse ecosystems, ranging from lush rainforests to mangroves and savannas, support a variety of plant life. The archipelago

2782-526: Is quite common around human settlements and temples, where it becomes accustomed to being fed by humans, particularly in any of the three "monkey forest" temples, such as the popular one in the Ubud area. They are also quite often kept as pets by locals. The second monkey, endemic to Java and some surrounding islands such as Bali, is far rarer and more elusive and is the Javan langur , locally known as "lutung". They occur in

2889-470: Is surrounded by coral reefs . Beaches in the south tend to have white sand while those in the north and west have black sand . Bali has no major waterways, although the Ho River is navigable by small sampan boats. Black sand beaches between Pasut and Klatingdukuh are being developed for tourism, but apart from the seaside temple of Tanah Lot , they are not yet used for significant tourism. The largest city

2996-616: Is the Melanesians , who primarily reside in eastern Indonesia , including the Maluku Islands , Western New Guinea , and the eastern part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. The Javanese are the largest ethnic group, making up 40.2% of the population and holding considerable political influence. They are predominantly located in the central and eastern parts of Java , with significant numbers spread across various provinces. Following

3103-640: Is the island's cultural centre. Three small islands lie to the immediate south-east and all are administratively part of the Klungkung regency of Bali: Nusa Penida , Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan . These islands are separated from Bali by the Badung Strait . To the east, the Lombok Strait separates Bali from Lombok and marks the biogeographical division between the fauna of the Indomalayan realm and

3210-417: Is the provincial capital, Denpasar , near the southern coast. Its population is around 748,400 (mid 2023). Bali's second-largest city is the old colonial capital, Singaraja , which is located on the north coast and is home to around 150,000 people in 2020. Other important cities include the beach resort, Kuta , which is practically part of Denpasar's urban area, and Ubud , situated at the north of Denpasar,

3317-776: The 2022 G20 Bali summit , the seventeenth meeting of the Group of Twenty (G20) was held in Nusa Dua . The island of Bali lies 3.2 km (2.0 mi) east of Java , and is approximately 8 degrees south of the equator . Bali and Java are separated by the Bali Strait . East to west, the island is approximately 153 km (95 mi) wide and spans approximately 112 km (70 mi) north to south; administratively it covers 5,590.15 km (2,158.37 sq mi), or 5,387.31 km (2,080.05 sq mi) excluding offshore Nusa Penida District, which comprises three small islands off

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3424-660: The Budi Utomo , Sarekat Islam , and the Indonesian National Party (PNI) founded by Sukarno . The Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on August 17, 1945, by Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta , marked a pivotal moment in the archipelago's history. However, the path to full sovereignty was fraught with conflict, as the Dutch sought to re-establish control after World War II. The ensuing Indonesian National Revolution involved diplomatic negotiations and armed struggle, culminating in

3531-589: The Dutch East Indies . The colonial period brought significant social, economic, and infrastructural changes, but it was also marked by resistance and uprisings from local populations. Notable revolts include the Java War (1825-1830) led by Prince Diponegoro and the Aceh War (1873-1904). The struggle for independence intensified in the early 20th century, with the rise of nationalist movements and organizations such as

3638-630: The Dutch intervention in Bali , a similar mass suicide occurred in the face of a Dutch assault in Klungkung . Afterwards, the Dutch governours exercised administrative control over the island, but local control over religion and culture generally remained intact. Dutch rule over Bali came later and was never as well established as in other parts of Indonesia such as Java and Maluku . In the 1930s, anthropologists Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson , artists Miguel Covarrubias and Walter Spies , and musicologist Colin McPhee all spent time here. Their accounts of

3745-660: The Great Sumatran fault contributing to seismic activity and tsunamis, exemplified by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami . The archipelago is rich in mineral resources, including oil , natural gas , coal , gold , tin , copper , and nickel . Unique geological formations also create karst landscapes, such as the Gunung Sewu and Maros-Pangkep areas, with cave systems and hills. Varied geology also leads to features like underground rivers in karst areas and crater lakes in volcanic regions, such as Lake Toba . The Indonesian Archipelago

3852-478: The Lesser Sunda archipelago isolated. Being just 8 degrees south of the equator, Bali has a fairly even climate all year round. Average year-round temperature stands at around 30 °C (86 °F) with a humidity level of about 85%. Daytime temperatures at low elevations vary between 20 and 33 °C (68 and 91 °F), but the temperatures decrease significantly with increasing elevation. The west monsoon

3959-671: The People's Liberation Army had largely defeated the Kuomintang (KMT)'s National Revolutionary Army in the Chinese Civil War . This forced the Kuomintang to relocate the government and institution of the Republic of China to the relative safety of Taiwan , an island which was placed under its control after the surrender of Japan at the end of World War II in 1945. With the establishment of

4066-743: The Wallace Line ), and rhinoceros . Squirrels are quite commonly encountered, less often is the Asian palm civet , which is also kept in coffee farms to produce kopi luwak . Bats are well represented, perhaps the most famous place to encounter them remaining is the Goa Lawah (Temple of the Bats) where they are worshipped by the locals and also constitute a tourist attraction. They also occur in other cave temples, for instance at Gangga Beach. Two species of monkey occur. The crab-eating macaque , known locally as "kera",

4173-765: The Wallace Line , and thus has a fauna that is Asian in character, with very little Australasian influence, and has more in common with Java than with Lombok. An exception is the yellow-crested cockatoo , a member of a primarily Australasian family. There are around 280 species of birds, including the critically endangered Bali myna , which is endemic . Others include barn swallow , black-naped oriole , black racket-tailed treepie , crested serpent-eagle , crested treeswift , dollarbird , Java sparrow , lesser adjutant , long-tailed shrike , milky stork , Pacific swallow , red-rumped swallow , sacred kingfisher , sea eagle , woodswallow , savanna nightjar , stork-billed kingfisher , yellow-vented bulbul and great egret . Until

4280-440: The first free elections in 1999 . The province is divided into eight regencies ( kabupaten ) and one city ( kota ); all the regencies were originally inaugurated on 9 August 1958, while the city of Denpasar were created from part of Badung Regency on 15 January 1992. They are tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 census and the 2020 census, together with the official estimates as at mid 2023 and

4387-538: The inland but still translated mainland in English, is commonly applied by SAR governments to represent non-SAR areas of PRC, including Hainan province and coastal regions of mainland China, such as "Constitutional and Mainland Affairs" ( 政制及內地事務局 ) and Immigration Departments. In the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (as well as the Mainland and Macau Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement )

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4494-570: The king cobra and reticulated python . The water monitor can grow to at least 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in length and 50 kg (110 lb) and can move quickly. The rich coral reefs around the coast, particularly around popular diving spots such as Tulamben , Amed , Menjangan or neighbouring Nusa Penida , host a wide range of marine life, for instance hawksbill turtle , giant sunfish , giant manta ray , giant moray eel, bumphead parrotfish , hammerhead shark , reef shark , barracuda , and sea snakes . Dolphins are commonly encountered on

4601-526: The tourist industry has led to 200 out of 400 rivers on the island drying up. Research suggests that the southern part of Bali would face a water shortage. To ease the shortage, the central government plans to build a water catchment and processing facility at Petanu River in Gianyar. The 300 litres capacity of water per second will be channelled to Denpasar, Badung and Gianyar in 2013. A 2010 Environment Ministry report on its environmental quality index gave Bali

4708-639: The 13th century brought about significant cultural and religious changes. Islamic traders from the Middle East, India, and China played a crucial role in spreading the religion, leading to the establishment of powerful Islamic sultanates across the archipelago. The Sultanate of Demak in Java, the Sultanate of Aceh in Sumatra, and the Sultanate of Ternate and Tidore in the Maluku Islands became important centers of Islamic learning and culture. These sultanates fostered

4815-506: The 13th century marked another golden age in Indonesian history. Under the leadership of powerful rulers such as King Hayam Wuruk and his prime minister Gajah Mada , Majapahit extended its influence over much of modern-day Indonesia, as well as parts of Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. The Majapahit Empire is often remembered for its cultural achievements, administrative sophistication, and military prowess. The arrival of Islam in

4922-586: The Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur was built by Sukarno and boosted tourism in Bali. Before the Bali Beach Hotel construction, there were only three significant tourist-class hotels on the island. Construction of hotels and restaurants began to spread throughout Bali. Tourism further increased in Bali after the Ngurah Rai International Airport opened in 1970. The Buleleng regency government encouraged

5029-608: The Balinese are closely related to the people of the Indonesian archipelago, Malaysia , Brunei , the Philippines , and Oceania . Stone tools dating from this time have been found near the village of Cekik in the island's west. In ancient Bali, nine Hindu sects existed, the Pasupata , Bhairawa , Siwa Shidanta, Vaishnava , Bodha , Brahma , Resi, Sora and Ganapatya . Each sect revered

5136-727: The CPG also uses the Chinese characters 内地 "inner land", with the note that they refer to the "customs territory of China". References to the PRC and other lost continental territories as the mainland began appearing in Taiwan state documents as early as 1954. Legal definitions followed in the 1990s. The 1991 Additional Articles of the Constitution of the Republic of China stated that "the handling of people's rights and obligations and other affairs between

5243-463: The Dutch subjugated and repulsed the natives for economic control and took it over. The first known European contact with Bali is thought to have been made in 1512, when a Portuguese expedition led by Antonio Abreu and Francisco Serrão sighted its northern shores. It was the first expedition of a series of bi-annual fleets to the Moluccas, that throughout the 16th century travelled along the coasts of

5350-517: The Human Development Index for each regency and city. The province forms one of Indonesia's 84 national electoral districts to elect members to the People's Representative Council . The Bali Electoral District consists of all of the 8 regencies in the province, together with the city of Denpasar, and elects 9 members to the People's Representative Council. In the 1970s, the Balinese economy

5457-504: The Indonesian archipelago during the second half of the 19th century. Dutch political and economic control over Bali began in the 1840s on the island's north coast when the Dutch pitted various competing Balinese realms against each other. In the late 1890s, struggles between Balinese kingdoms on the island's south were exploited by the Dutch to increase their control. In June 1860, the famous Welsh naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace , travelled to Bali from Singapore , landing at Buleleng on

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5564-602: The Javanese, the Sundanese are the next largest group at 15.4%, with other notable groups including the Malay , Batak , Madurese , Betawi , Minangkabau , and Bugis . The linguistic landscape of Indonesia is equally diverse, with over 700 indigenous languages spoken across the archipelago. Despite this diversity, Indonesian also known as “Bahasa Indonesia” serves as the national language and unifying lingua franca. Religious diversity

5671-519: The PRC referring to itself as the "mainland side" dealing with the "Taiwan side"). In fact, the PRC government mandates that journalists use “Taiwan” and “the Mainland” (Dàlù) as corresponding concepts. But in terms of Hong Kong and Macau, the PRC government refers to itself as "the Central People's Government". In the People's Republic of China, the term 内地 (Nèidì, 'inland') is often contrasted with

5778-466: The People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949, the CCP-controlled government saw itself as the sole legitimate government of China, competing with the claims of the Republic of China, whose authority is now limited to Taiwan and other islands . This resulted in a situation in which two co-existing governments competed for international legitimacy and recognition as the "government of China". With

5885-553: The People's Republic of China. The Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China ( Chinese : 中华人民共和国出境入境管理法 ) defines two terms in Chinese that are translated to "mainland": In the PRC, usage of the two terms is not strictly interchangeable. To emphasise the One-China policy and not give the ROC "equal footing" in cross-strait relations , the term must be used in PRC's official contexts with reference to Taiwan (with

5992-612: The Regulations on People Relations between Taiwan and mainland China defined the mainland as areas claimed but not controlled by the ROC, corresponding to "areas under control of the Chinese Communists " (within the de facto borders of the People's Republic of China ). Views of the term "mainland China" ( 中國大陸 ) vary on Taiwan. During the Dangguo era , the KMT had previously referred to

6099-586: The Sunda Islands. Bali was also mapped in 1512, in the chart of Francisco Rodrigues, aboard the expedition. In 1585, a ship foundered off the Bukit Peninsula and left a few Portuguese in the service of Dewa Agung . In 1597, the Dutch merchant-explorer Cornelis de Houtman arrived at Bali, and the Dutch East India Company was established in 1602. The Dutch government expanded its control across

6206-496: The area with the highest biodiversity of marine species, especially fish and turtles. In this area alone, over 500 reef-building coral species can be found. For comparison, this is about seven times as many as in the entire Caribbean . Bali is the home of the Subak irrigation system , a UNESCO World Heritage Site . It is also home to a unified confederation of kingdoms composed of 10 traditional royal Balinese houses, each house ruling

6313-406: The command of KNIL Lieutenant Colonel W.P. Roodenburg. On 19 February 1942, the Japanese forces landed near the town of Sanoer (Sanur). The island was quickly captured. During the Japanese occupation, a Balinese military officer, I Gusti Ngurah Rai , formed a Balinese 'freedom army'. The harshness of Japanese occupation forces made them more resented than the Dutch colonial rulers. In 1945, Bali

6420-403: The convergence of several major tectonic plates: the Eurasian , Indo-Australian , Philippine Sea , and Pacific Plates . This interaction has created one of the most geologically active areas on Earth, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire . Between 1972 and 1991, there were 29 volcanic eruptions, mostly on Java. The western archipelago, including Sumatra and Java , features a volcanic arc from

6527-474: The country. A bombing in 2002 by militant Islamists in the tourist area of Kuta killed 202 people, mostly foreigners. This attack, and another in 2005 , severely reduced tourism, producing much economic hardship on the island. On 27 November 2017, Mount Agung erupted five times, causing the evacuation of thousands, disrupting air travel and causing much environmental damage. Further eruptions also occurred between 2018 and 2019. On 15–16 November 2022,

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6634-411: The critically endangered Javan Hawk-Eagle and the beautiful Birds of Paradise. Mammalian diversity is also significant, with species such as the Sumatran tiger , orangutan , and the Borneo pygmy elephant . Indonesia is also home to the Komodo dragon , the largest living lizard on Earth, found exclusively on a few islands within the archipelago. Indonesia's marine biodiversity is among the richest in

6741-437: The democratisation of Taiwan in the 1990s and the rise of the Taiwanese independence movement, some people began simply using the term "China" instead. Due to their status as colonies of foreign states during the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the phrase "mainland China" excludes Hong Kong and Macau . Since the return of Hong Kong and Macau to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 and 1999 , respectively,

6848-434: The distinctly different fauna of Australasia . The transition is known as the Wallace Line , named after Alfred Russel Wallace , who first proposed a transition zone between these two major biomes . When sea levels dropped during the Pleistocene ice age , Bali was connected to Java and Sumatra and to the mainland of Asia and shared the Asian fauna, but the deep water of the Lombok Strait continued to keep Lombok Island and

6955-408: The dominant colonial power, establishing a network of trading posts and fortresses across the archipelago. By the 17th century, the VOC had effectively monopolized the spice trade and exerted considerable political influence over the local sultanates. In the 19th century, following the bankruptcy of the VOC, the Dutch government took direct control of the archipelago, consolidating its territories into

7062-533: The early 20th century, Bali was possibly home to several large mammals : banteng , leopard and the endemic Bali tiger . The banteng still occurs in its domestic form, whereas leopards are found only in neighbouring Java, and the Bali tiger is extinct. The last definite record of a tiger on Bali dates from 1937 when one was shot, though the subspecies may have survived until the 1940s or 1950s. Pleistocene and Holocene megafaunas include banteng and giant tapir (based on speculations that they might have reached up to

7169-443: The equator between 6°N and 11°S latitude and 95°E to 141°E longitude. Comprising over 17,000 islands, of which about 6,000 are inhabited, it is the world's largest archipelagic state . The Indonesian archipelago has a total land area of 1,904,569 square kilometers (735,358 sq mi), including 93,000 square kilometres (35,908 sq mi) of inland seas such as straits , bays , and other bodies of water. The surrounding sea areas increase

7276-421: The extermination of PKI members. As a result of the 1965–66 upheavals, Suharto was able to manoeuvre Sukarno out of the presidency . His "New Order" government re-established relations with Western countries. The pre-War Bali as "paradise" was revived in a modern form. The resulting large growth in tourism has led to a dramatic increase in Balinese standards of living and significant foreign exchange earned for

7383-558: The famous Flores Man or Homo floresiensis, sheds light on the ancient inhabitants of these islands. Indonesia is also home to some of the world's oldest known cave paintings, discovered particularly in the caves of Sulawesi and Kalimantan . These paintings, which depict hand stencils and images of animals, are over 45,500 years old, offering valuable insights into the artistic expressions of ancient human inhabitants. Recent discoveries, such as those in Sulawesi's Leang Karampuang caves, dated to approximately 51,200 years ago, establish them as

7490-471: The free area and the mainland can be specially stipulated by law", and used the legal term "mainland area" without defining its geographical boundaries. The 1992 Regulations on the Relations between the People in Taiwan and the Mainland defined "Taiwan" as areas controlled by the ROC and "mainland" as "the territory of the Republic of China." The related Cross-Strait Act called those under PRC jurisdiction - excluding those in Hong Kong and Macau - as "people of

7597-407: The generally recognized territory of the Indonesian archipelago (land and sea) to about 5 million km². The exclusive economic zone is 6,159,032 km² (2,378,016 sq mi), bringing the total area to approximately 7.9 million km². The archipelago is composed of several major island groups, including the Greater Sunda Islands , Lesser Sunda Islands , Maluku Islands , and Western New Guinea . Among these,

7704-506: The global spice trade. The term "Indonesian Archipelago", deriving from the Greek words "Indos" (India) and "nesos" (island), refers to Indonesia , the world's largest archipelago, comprising not only major islands like Sumatra, Java, Borneo (Kalimantan), Sulawesi, and Papua, but also thousands of smaller islands across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Within this archipelago, the " Sunda Islands " form

7811-431: The highly productive agriculture sector. South of the mountains is a broad, steadily descending area where most of Bali's large rice crop is grown. The northern side of the mountains slopes more steeply to the sea and is the main coffee-producing area of the island, along with rice, vegetables, and cattle. The longest river, Ayung River , flows approximately 75 km (47 mi) (see List of rivers of Bali ). The island

7918-510: The island and its peoples created a western image of Bali as "an enchanted land of aesthetes at peace with themselves and nature". Western tourists began to visit the island. The sensuous image of Bali was enhanced in the West by a quasi-pornographic 1932 documentary Virgins of Bali about a day in the lives of two teenage Balinese girls whom the film's narrator Deane Dickason notes in the first scene "bathe their shamelessly nude bronze bodies". Under

8025-438: The island of Java. These findings represent some of the earliest evidence of human habitation in Southeast Asia, highlighting the archipelago's significance in the study of human evolution. Archaeological evidence further reveals the existence of early societies in various parts of the archipelago, such as Flores , Sulawesi , and Papua , dating back of thousands of years. The discovery of early human remains on Flores, including

8132-485: The largest islands are Sumatra , Java , Borneo (shared with Malaysia and Brunei), Sulawesi , and the western half of New Guinea . These islands vary greatly in size, with Sumatra covering 473,481 square kilometers, Java 138,794 square kilometers, and the Indonesian portion of Borneo, known as Kalimantan, spanning 743,330 square kilometers. The Indonesian archipelago is complex and dynamic, shaped by millions of years of tectonic activity and volcanic processes. It sits at

8239-529: The looser version of the Hays code that existed up to 1934, nudity involving "civilised" (i.e. white) women was banned, but permitted with "uncivilised" (i.e. all non-white women), a loophole that was exploited by the producers of Virgins of Bali . The film, which mostly consisted of scenes of topless Balinese women was a great success in 1932, and almost single-handedly made Bali into a popular spot for tourists. Imperial Japan occupied Bali during World War II. It

8346-684: The mainland area", and used " free area of the Republic of China " to describe areas under ROC control. The issue on the mainland's territory also stated in the Judicial Yuan Interpretation No. 328 in 1993. In 2012, the Supreme Court of the Republic of China 's judgment #900 labeled the Macao Special Administrative Region as the "Mainland's Macau Area". The 2002 amendments to the Implementation Rules of

8453-422: The north coast near Singaraja and Lovina . A team of scientists surveyed from 29 April 2011, to 11 May 2011, at 33 sea sites around Bali. They discovered 952 species of reef fish of which 8 were new discoveries at Pemuteran, Gilimanuk, Nusa Dua , Tulamben and Candidasa , and 393 coral species, including two new ones at Padangbai and between Padangbai and Amed . The average coverage level of healthy coral

8560-412: The north coast of the island. Wallace's trip to Bali was instrumental in helping him devise his Wallace Line theory. The Wallace Line is a faunal boundary that runs through the strait between Bali and Lombok . It is a boundary between species. In his travel memoir The Malay Archipelago , Wallace wrote of his experience in Bali, which has a strong mention of the unique Balinese irrigation methods : I

8667-521: The north of the New Territories ). Additionally, the islands contained within Hong Kong (e.g. Hong Kong Island ) and Macau are much closer to mainland China than Taiwan and Hainan, and are much smaller. In Hong Kong and Macau, the terms "mainland China" and "mainlander" are frequently used for people from PRC-governed areas (i.e. not Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau). The Chinese term Neidi ( 內地 ), meaning

8774-549: The oldest known paintings globally. By the first millennium CE, the Indonesian archipelago had become a crucial maritime trade route connecting the East and West. Early trade networks facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between the islands and neighboring regions, including Mainland China , Indian subcontinent , and the Middle East . This period saw the rise of influential Hinduism and Buddhist kingdoms, which played

8881-498: The pride of the best-cultivated parts of Europe. The Dutch mounted large naval and ground assaults at the Sanur region in 1906 and were met by the thousands of members of the royal family and their followers who rather than yield to the superior Dutch force committed ritual suicide ( puputan ) to avoid the humiliation of surrender. Despite Dutch demands for surrender, an estimated 200 Balinese killed themselves rather than surrender. In

8988-560: The province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller offshore islands, notably Nusa Penida , Nusa Lembongan , and Nusa Ceningan to the southeast. The provincial capital, Denpasar , is the most populous city in the Lesser Sunda Islands and the second-largest, after Makassar , in Eastern Indonesia . Denpasar metropolitan area is the extended metropolitan area around Denpasar . The upland town of Ubud in Greater Denpasar

9095-463: The recognition of Indonesian independence by the Dutch in 1949. The Indonesian archipelago is a vast and diverse island chain located in Southeast Asia , stretching from the edge of Maritime Southeast Asia to the fringes of Oceania . This expansive archipelago spans approximately 5,120 kilometres (3,181 mi) from east to west and 1,760 kilometres (1,094 mi) from north to south, straddling

9202-595: The region. The wealth and influence of Srivijaya were reflected in its capital, Palembang , which became a major center of learning and culture. In the 8th and 9th centuries, the Sailendra dynasty rose to prominence in Central Java , leaving behind the magnificent Borobudur temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Buddhist monument in the world. The subsequent rise of the Hindu Majapahit Empire in

9309-474: The rest of the PRC. Nonetheless, Hainanese people still refer to the geographic mainland as "the mainland" and call its residents "mainlanders". Before 1949, the Kinmen and Matsu islands, were jointly governed with the rest of Fujian Province under successive Chinese governments. The two territories are generally considered to belong to the same historical region, Fujian Province, which has been divided since 1949 as

9416-460: The rich diversity and historical significance of the Indonesian Archipelago, showcasing a dynamic blend of cultures and natural environments. The history of Indonesian archipelago is a rich and complex tapestry of human migration, cultural exchange, trade, and colonization that has shaped the region over millennia. Human presence in the region dates back over 2 million years, with the discovery of Homo erectus remains, famously known as Java Man , on

9523-425: The southeast coast of Bali. Its population density was roughly 788 people/km (2,040 people/sq mi) in mid 2023. Bali's central mountains include several peaks over 2,000 metres (6,600 feet) in elevation and active volcanoes such as Mount Batur . The highest is Mount Agung (3,031 m; 9,944 ft), known as the "mother mountain", which is an active volcano rated as one of the world's most likely sites for

9630-727: The subduction of the Indo-Australian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate, resulting in volcanoes like Mount Merapi and Mount Kerinci . The central and eastern regions, such as Sulawesi and the Maluku, are shaped by interactions of multiple plates, creating diverse geological features and island arcs. Indonesia has around 150 active volcanoes , with volcanic activity contributing to fertile soils, especially in Java . Frequent earthquakes result from constant tectonic movement, with fault lines such as

9737-492: The term 境外 ('outside the border') for things outside the mainland region. Examples include "Administration of Foreign-funded Banks" ( 中华人民共和国外资银行管理条例 ; 中華人民共和國外資銀行管理條例 ) or the "Measures on Administration of Representative Offices of Foreign Insurance Institutions" ( 外国保险机构驻华代表机构管理办法 ; 外國保險機構駐華代表機構管理辦法 ). Hainan is an island, but is nevertheless commonly considered to be part of the "mainland" politically, because its government, legal and political systems do not differ from

9844-604: The term "China" ( 中國 ). The former term is generally preferred by the Pan-Blue Coalition led by the KMT, while the latter term is preferred by the Pan-Green Coalition led by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which opposes the term "mainland" and its suggestion that Taiwan is part of China. This has caused many political debates. Other geography-related terms which are used to avoid mentioning

9951-475: The term includes islands such as Hainan , Chongming , and Zhoushan . By convention, territories outside of mainland China include: In Taiwan it is also often used to refer to all territories administered by the PRC. The term is widely used in all of the above territories as well as internationally, including by many Overseas Chinese communities. In 1949, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and

10058-527: The territories under the control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) by several different names, e.g. "(territory controlled by the) Communist bandits ", "occupied/unfree area (of China)", "Communist China" (as opposed to either "Nationalist China" or "Democratic China"), "Red China" (as opposed to "Blue China"), and "mainland China (area)". In modern times, many of these terms have fallen out of use. The terms "mainland China" ( 中國大陸 ) or "the mainland" ( 大陸 ) still remain in popular use, but some also simply use

10165-409: The tourism sector as one of the mainstays for economic progress and social welfare. Mainland China " Mainland China ", also referred to as " the Chinese mainland ", is a geopolitical term defined as the territory under direct administration of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War . In addition to the geographical mainland, the geopolitical sense of

10272-551: The two territories have retained their legal, political, and economic systems. The territories also have their distinct identities. Therefore, "mainland China" generally continues to exclude these territories, because of the " one country, two systems " policy adopted by the Chinese government towards the regions. The term is also used in economic indicators, such as the IMD Competitiveness Report. International news media often use "China" to refer only to mainland China or

10379-688: The widening of social divisions across Indonesia in the 1950s and early 1960s, Bali saw conflict between supporters of the traditional caste system , and those rejecting this system. Politically, the opposition was represented by supporters of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and the Indonesian Nationalist Party (PNI), with tensions and ill-feeling further increased by the PKI's land reform programmes. A purported coup attempt in Jakarta

10486-507: The world's plastic waste. In the national legislature , Bali is represented by nine members, with a single electoral district covering the whole province. The Bali Regional People's Representative Council, the provincial legislature, has 55 members. The province's politics has historically been dominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which has won by far the most votes in every election in Bali since

10593-439: The world, making it a critical hotspot for marine conservation. The coral reefs in the Coral Triangle , which includes parts of Indonesia, are teeming with life, hosting over 500 species of coral and more than 2,000 species of reef fish. The waters around Indonesia also support populations of large marine animals such as whale sharks , manta rays , and various species of sea turtles . The vibrant marine ecosystems not only support

10700-1099: Was 36% (better than in Raja Ampat and Halmahera by 29% or in Fakfak and Kaimana by 25%) with the highest coverage found in Gili Selang and Gili Mimpang in Candidasa , Karangasem Regency . Among the larger trees the most common are: banyan trees, jackfruit , coconuts , bamboo species, acacia trees and also endless rows of coconuts and banana species. Numerous flowers can be seen: hibiscus , frangipani , bougainvillea , poinsettia , oleander , jasmine , water lily , lotus , roses , begonias , orchids and hydrangeas exist. On higher grounds that receive more moisture, for instance, around Kintamani , certain species of fern trees, mushrooms and even pine trees thrive well. Rice comes in many varieties. Other plants with agricultural value include: salak , mangosteen , corn , Kintamani orange, coffee and water spinach . Over-exploitation by

10807-575: Was astonished and delighted; as my visit to Java was some years later, I had never beheld so beautiful and well-cultivated a district out of Europe. A slightly undulating plain extends from the seacoast about ten or twelve miles (16 or 19 kilometres) inland, where it is bounded by a fine range of wooded and cultivated hills. Houses and villages, marked out by dense clumps of coconut palms , tamarind and other fruit trees, are dotted about in every direction; while between them extend luxurious rice grounds, watered by an elaborate system of irrigation that would be

10914-437: Was averted by forces led by General Suharto. The army became the dominant power as it instigated a violent anti-communist purge , in which the army blamed the PKI for the coup. Most estimates suggest that at least 500,000 people were killed across Indonesia, with an estimated 80,000 killed in Bali, equivalent to 5% of the island's population. With no Islamic forces involved as in Java and Sumatra, upper-caste PNI landlords led

11021-491: Was largely agriculture-based in terms of both output and employment. Tourism is now the largest single industry in terms of income, and as a result, Bali is one of Indonesia's wealthiest regions. In 2003, around 80% of Bali's economy was tourism related. By the end of June 2011, the rate of non-performing loans of all banks in Bali were 2.23%, lower than the average of Indonesian banking industry non-performing loan rates (about 5%). The economy, however, suffered significantly as

11128-522: Was liberated by the British 5th infantry Division under the command of Major-General Robert Mansergh who took the Japanese surrender. Once Japanese forces had been repatriated the island was handed over to the Dutch the following year. In 1946, the Dutch constituted Bali as one of the 13 administrative districts of the newly proclaimed State of East Indonesia , a rival state to the Republic of Indonesia, which

11235-525: Was not originally a target in their Netherlands East Indies Campaign, but as the airfields on Borneo were inoperative due to heavy rains, the Imperial Japanese Army decided to occupy Bali, which did not suffer from comparable weather. The island had no regular Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) troops. There was only a Native Auxiliary Corps Prajoda (Korps Prajoda) consisting of about 600 native soldiers and several Dutch KNIL officers under

11342-615: Was proclaimed and headed by Sukarno and Hatta . Bali was included in the " Republic of the United States of Indonesia " when the Netherlands recognised Indonesian independence on 29 December 1949. The first governor of Bali, Anak Agung Bagus Suteja , was appointed by President Sukarno in 1958, when Bali became a province. The 1963 eruption of Mount Agung killed thousands, created economic havoc, and forced many displaced Balinese to be transmigrated to other parts of Indonesia. Mirroring

11449-669: Was strongly influenced by Indian, Chinese, and particularly Hindu culture, beginning around the 1st century AD. The name Bali dwipa ("Bali island") has been discovered from various inscriptions, including the Blanjong pillar inscription written by Sri Kesari Warmadewa in 914 AD and mentioning Walidwipa . It was during this time that the people developed their complex irrigation system subak to grow rice in wet-field cultivation . Some religious and cultural traditions still practised today can be traced to this period. The Hindu-Buddhist Majapahit Empire (1293–1520 AD) on eastern Java founded

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