A pearl between two oceans. This is the name of the island of Bali by tourists coming from all over the world. The southern coast of the island is caressed by the warm waves of the Indian Ocean, and from the north the waves of the Bali Sea, entering the Pacific Ocean, run over it.
Geographical region Bali
In the west, Bali is separated by a 2-kilometer strait from Java, the most populous island on the planet. From the east, the Strait of Lombok, 35 km long, separates Bali from the island of Lombok.
Bali is also the name of the province of Indonesia, part of the Lesser Sunda Islands, the largest island nation in the world. The main city on the island and the center of the province is Denpasar. The island of Bali is part of the Great Sunda Archipelago, which consists of 17,800 islands, of which about 10 thousand, do not even have their own name. And many of the inter-island seas are not marked on most maps.
In prehistoric times, the highly indented landscape of the region was formed by intense tectonic collisions of continental plates, which caused unprecedented volcanoes that influenced the climate of the entire planet. Volcanic activity continues to this day. The famous eruption of our day of the Krakatoa volcano for many months changed the color of sunsets and sunrises all over the planet. And the explosion during its eruption is recognized as the loudest sound that a person could ever hear. The roll of unprecedented thunder was heard at a distance of two thousand kilometers. In Bali, despite its small size (140 x 70 km), there are also three active volcanoes: Agung, Batur and Bratan. Although there are no active volcanoes in the archipelago at all.
The nature of the island
The so-called Wallace Line passes through the island, dividing the flora and fauna of tropical Asia and the natural areas of Australia and New Guinea. It defines the sharp contrast of vegetation in different parts of the island. In the west, there is tropical evergreen vegetation. In the north - deciduous forests, in remote mountainous areas - savannas and mountain sparse forests.
The island has a large variety of palm trees: coconut, borass, sugar. Banana palm, considered a sacred tree in Bali, feeds many monkeys, bats and squirrels. Trees with valuable timber: balsa, ebony, teak. Some types of bamboo have a trunk up to half a meter in diameter. The island is filled with fragrant scents all year round thanks to countless varieties of flowering shrubs and trees: hibiscus, bougainvillea, jasmine, pink laurel, magnolia, orchid. Locals handle any seeds with care. Accidentally abandoned, they immediately sprout in unnecessary places.
Features of local residents
Bali is home to 4 million people. The island's population is a Hindu society in a Muslim country, with its own traditions and prohibitions. For example, it is forbidden to: be in a public place in open clothes (sleeveless outerwear and shorts), point a finger at a person, show close relationships (hug, kiss), touch another person's head, express anger and resentment, and shout. Sitting cross-legged is regarded as a great disrespect.
Indonesia is the most amazing country in the world, combining the title of the largest island country and the most colorful in nature.
