27 Wonderful Bali Facts

By James Israelsen, Associate Writer

Published May 29, 2022

Bali uses two different calendars, one based on the lunar cycle and one based on rice-growing cycles._[3]
Most Balinese children are named according to their birth order, so many people share the same small group of names, such as Wayan, Kadek, and Nyoman, among others._[3]
In Balinese lore, evil spirits move in straight lines, so visual signs and spaces are often filled in with zigzags and swirls._[3]
The average salary earned by a Balinese worker is $100 a month._[1]
Balinese and Indonesian are the two major languages spoken in Bali._[4]
Bali is often mistakenly thought to be its own country, but it is actually an island-province in the nation of Indonesia._[2][4]
The Balinese eat a diet heavy on rice, fresh vegetables, spices, meat, and fish. China and Australia have both been culinary influences._[4]
Bali has been nicknamed the "Island of the Gods" because of the many Hindu deities that are worshiped there._[4]

There are many different types of Gamelan used throughout Indonesia

The Balinese believe that their traditional musical instruments, a percussion ensemble called the gamelan, are spiritual entities who must be revered in order to enlist their cooperation in the music._[3]
Bali has a population of almost four million people._[2]
Bali's Mount Agung is an active volcano; its 1963 eruption killed over 1,500 people._[2]
Bali is currently the only predominantly Hindu population in the entire Indonesian archipelago. The rest of Indonesia is largely Muslim._[2]
The culture in Bali is deeply religious, with Hindu rituals and worship that have been influenced by Buddhism and pre-historic traditions._[2]
Balinese people observe the Hindu caste system, which separates people into different hierarchical social roles, although not as strictly as it is followed in India._[2]
The province of Bali is made up of three islands: Bali, the main island, plus its sister islands, Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan._[4]

Bali is full of beautiful vistas to explore and enjoy

Bali is home to thousands of temples dedicated to various Hindu deities._[4]
The capital of Bali is Denpasar._[2]
Rice is the main crop grown by Balinese farmers._[2]
In order to feed their growing population, Bali imports food on a regular basis._[2]
Cockfighting is popular in Bali, where gambling is a favored pastime._[2]

Bali's black sand beaches are both otherworldly and picturesque

Bali has both white and black sand beaches._[4]
Stage plays and dancing, which serve both magico-religious and entertainment purposes, are popular in Bali._[2]
The first Europeans to visit Bali were the Dutch in 1597._[2]
Bali is considered to be one of the world's best yoga communities._[4]
Bali is a popular location for world-class surfing._[4]
Many Balinese women leave traditional "canang" offerings for the gods—flowers, herbs, and incense placed in banana leaf baskets—in front of their homes three times a day._[4]
Bali is located only 8 degrees south of the equator._[4]