Bali - Island of the gods
The island of Bali has been part of Indonesia since 1949
and forms the province of the same name in this state.
Area: 5561 km2.
Population: ( 2010 ) 3.9 million
Capital: Denpasar
Location: In the Indian Ocean between Java and Lombok.
Climate: Tropically warm with high humidity.
Monsoon rains from November to March.
The average annual temperatures at sea level are 24-34 °C,
in the dry season (May to October) the average temperatures
in the highlands are 10-20 °C in the highlands
and 29-34 °C in the coastal regions.
Languages: Mainly Balinese and Indonesian.
English is also widely spoken due to tourism.
In addition to these languages, Mandarin is also taught in
Mandarin is also taught in public schools.
Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, somewhat smaller islands,
also belong to the province of Bali, which is still relatively young.
Around three quarters of the island's total area is covered by mountains
volcanic origin.
The volcano Gunung Agung (‘Great Mountain’)
is the highest mountain on the island at 3031 metres
the highest mountain on the island.
For the Balinese, it is the seat of the gods.
The last eruption took place in 1963 and claimed 2000 lives
and devastated numerous villages and fields.
Diving in Bali
Bali is one of the most beautiful islands in the world
and the most popular diving destination in Indonesia.
Formerly the domicile of surfers and beach holidaymakers,
more and more divers can be seen today.
Deep slopes and cliffs, corals and ridges,
one of the most famous wrecks in the world,
the ‘USS Liberty’ in Tulamben, and volcanic seagrass meadows.
With its colourful and diverse underwater world, there is enough to see here,
to return again and again.
To the east of the island lies the Lombok Strait, a deep trench
separating Bali from the Asian continental plate.
Enormous currents ensure a regular occurrence of large fish and unique encounters with
and unique encounters with molo mola's and manta rays.
All this in combination with the friendliness of the Balinese people,
the beautiful weather and the white sandy beaches make Bali
a favourite destination for divers from all over the world.