Bali (~850,000 BCE to present)

A Bali (~850,000 BCE to present) is an Indonesian island in the Lesser Sunda Islands archipelago located at 8.3405° S and 115.0920° E.

• AKA: Pulau Dewata, Pulau Bali, Bali Province.
• Context:
  • It can (typically) have a Bali Population (predominantly Balinese Hindus with minorities of Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists).
  • It can (typically) maintain Balinese Hindu Culture through temple ceremonies, religious festivals, traditional arts, and daily offerings.
  • It can (typically) feature Bali Volcanic Landscapes including Mount Agung, Mount Batur, and surrounding calderas.
  • It can (typically) support Bali Rice Terrace Agriculture through subak irrigation systems and traditional farming practices.
  • It can (typically) preserve Balinese Traditional Architecture in temples, palaces, and residential compounds.
  • ...
  • It can (often) attract International Tourism through beach resorts, cultural attractions, and spiritual retreats.
  • It can (often) showcase Balinese Performing Arts including kecak dance, barong dance, wayang kulit, and gamelan orchestras.
  • It can (often) produce Balinese Traditional Crafts such as wood carving, stone carving, painting, and silver jewelry.
  • It can (often) host Bali Cultural Festivals including Nyepi, Galungan, Kuningan, and temple anniversarys.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Rural Bali Settlement to being an Urban Bali Tourism Center, depending on its Bali development intensity.
  • It can range from being a Traditional Bali Community to being a Cosmopolitan Bali Destination, depending on its Bali cultural integration.
  • ...
  • It can include Bali Administrative Regencies such as Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, Tabanan, Bangli, Karangasem, Jembrana, Buleleng, and Klungkung.
  • It can feature Bali UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, Subak System, and Cultural Landscape.
  • It can experience Bali Natural Hazards including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunami risks.
  • It can function as Indonesia's primary international tourist destination and cultural showcase.
  • It can maintain Bali Coral Triangle Marine Biodiversity through marine protected areas and reef systems.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Bali (~850,000 BCE), when Homo erectus populations spread from Java across land bridges during low sea level periods.
  • Bali (~45,000 BCE), during Homo sapiens expansion through Indonesian archipelago along coastal migration routes.
  • Bali (9th Century), during early Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms and temple construction.
  • Bali (1343), conquered by Majapahit Empire establishing Javanese influence.
  • Bali (1520s), receiving Javanese Hindu refugees after Islamic conversion of Java.
  • Bali (1597), first Dutch expedition arrival marking European contact.
  • Bali (1906), during Puputan (ritual mass suicide) resisting Dutch colonization.
  • Bali (1908), complete Dutch colonial control established.
  • Bali (1936), during cultural renaissance with foreign artist colonies.
  • Bali (1961), with approximately 1.5 million population during first Indonesian census.
  • Bali (1963), experiencing catastrophic Mount Agung eruption with population of ~1.6 million (80,000 killed, 5% of population).
  • Bali (1970s), beginning of mass tourism development with population growing at 1.71% annually.
  • Bali (1980), with population reaching approximately 2.2 million.
  • Bali (1990), with population of approximately 2.5 million.
  • Bali (2000), with population of 3,151,162 experiencing rapid growth (1.71% annually).
  • Bali (2002), suffering terrorist bombings affecting tourism industry.
  • Bali (2005), second bombing attacks impacting security perception.
  • Bali (2010), with population of 3,890,757 after decade of 2.14% annual growth.
  • Bali (2017), during Mount Agung volcanic crisis and evacuations.
  • Bali (2020), experiencing COVID-19 tourism shutdown with population of 4,317,404.
  • Bali (2022), hosting G20 Summit marking international recognition.
  • Bali (2024), with population reaching 4,461,260 (mid-year estimate).
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Java Island, the neighboring Indonesian island with Islamic majority culture.
  • Lombok Island, the adjacent island with Sasak culture and Islamic tradition.
  • Flores Island, another Lesser Sunda island with Catholic majority.
  • Sumatra Island, Indonesian island with different ethnic composition and Islamic culture.
  • Sulawesi Island, Indonesian island with diverse ethnic groups and mixed religions.
• See: Indonesian Island, Hindu Culture, Balinese People, Tourism Destination, Denpasar, Ubud, Mount Agung, Subak System, Balinese Hinduism, Indonesian Province.

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