Is Bali a country? Find out what Bali is and where it is.

To the Balinese, Bali is more than an island, a city, or a country; it is spiritual.

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Is Bali a country?

When you think about where is Bali located, you might first ask, "Is Bali a country or a city"?

Or maybe you have an idea that Bali is a tropical island, but do not know whether it is in Asia or Africa.

This article aims to put you in the picture and share with you exactly what Bali is.

Fascinated? You might also like to read Is Bali East Asia? and Is Bali an Island?

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Is Bali a country? Is Bali a city?

Bali is not a country or a city. It is an island located within the Republic of Indonesia. Indonesia is a country situated in Southeast Asia. Bali and its sister islands are one of the 34 provinces of Indonesia, which comprises some 18,300 islands.

Technically, Bali is made up of four islands: the main island of Bali and the islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, which are part of the Klungkung Regency of East Bali.

Bali's status within Indonesia

As an integral part of Indonesia, Bali holds the status of a province. The province of Bali encompasses not only the island itself but also a few smaller neighbouring islands. It is situated between the islands of Java and Lombok and is a popular tourist destination that attracts millions of visitors each year.

Is Bali the capital of Indonesia?

Bali is so famous, you’d be forgiven for thinking it is the capital of Indonesia. But actually, Bali is an island province in Indonesia, and the current capital of Indonesia is Jakarta, on the island of Java.

However, Jakarta won’t be Indonesia’s capital forever. Indonesia is building a new capital city for the country in the East Kalimantan province on the Indonesian part of Borneo. This new capital will be called Nusantara and relocation will commence in 2024 and take three to five years to complete.

What is Bali?

Bali is a piece of heaven on earth, and millions of visitors each year agree.

Bali is an island and a province within Indonesia, but to the Balinese, it is more than that. 

The Balinese see Bali as a piece of heaven that fell to earth. Bali is often called 'The Island of the Gods' and this is because there are thousands of temples all over Bali. Every temple is seen as a seat of the gods, so the Balinese consider the island to be inhabited by the gods, who live among them, protecting and challenging the people.

So Bali is more than just an island (or group of islands), and it is more than just a province of Indonesia. It is the home of the Balinese Hindu gods and goddesses. Balinese culture is a fusion of Hinduism, local beliefs, and traditions, creating a unique blend that sets it apart from other regions in Indonesia.

Is Bali a Muslim country?

Bali is not a country; it is an island province in Indonesia. While Indonesia is a majority Muslim country, Bali is a majority Hindu province.

Is Bali a Hindu country?

Bali is certainly majority Hindu, but Bali is not a country - it is an island province that is part of the country of Indonesia. The arrival of Indian traders introduced Hinduism to Bali, and it remained the dominant religion in Indonesia, upheld through customs, ceremonies, and artistic expression, even predating the emergence of Islam.

What kind of country is Bali?

So now we know Bali is not a country. And we know it is more than just an island in that, to the Balinese, its spiritual dimension transcends its physical form. 

So what kind of island is Bali?

Bali is a very special island. Here’s why:

Bali is a spiritual place, home to the Hindu gods

It is a place of immense significance to the Balinese, and as a result, when tourists come to the island and behave in ways that might offend the Hidu gods, the Balinese get rightly upset. That is why, as guests, we must behave in a respectful way, particularly in holy places like temples, holy shrines (including Banyan trees). The Balinese welcome tourism and want us to have an awesome time; they just want us to be respectful, and we can do both.

Bali is a place of immense natural beauty

From waterfalls and rice fields to jungle gorges, volcanoes, and lakes to mysterious caves, soaring cliffs, and stunning beaches, Bali is a paradise.

Bali is a home, not just a tourist destination. Over 3 million people live on Bali and raise their families, farm, and produce products and arts that are exported all over the world.

Bali is a lifestyle

Many people have taken inspiration from Bali and woven the essence of the island into their lives. Whether it is through art, cuisine, language, spirituality, or the meditative inspirations they find on the island, visitors usually go away with some form of inspiration they incorporate into their everyday lives.

Is Bali a poor country?

Bali is affluent in parts, but in other parts it is a poor province in the developing country of Indonesia.

Bali is not a country but rather an island province in Indonesia. Compared to the economies of other Indonesian provinces, Bali is more affluent, and this is largely due to tourism. However, Bali is classified as a developing economy in the developing country of Indonesia, and there are many Balinese who live below the poverty line.

2021 statistics show service industry employees in Bali emerge as the top earners among all informal employees, gaining an average monthly nett income of 1.55 million Indonesian rupiah (approximately US$100), whereas agricultural workers in the region earned the lowest average nett income of 954 thousand Indonesian rupiah (approximately $US67). The majority of the Balinese populace was employed in the agricultural, wholesale, and manufacturing sectors, sequentially.

Is Bali urban or rural?

Bali is mostly rural, with one large urban centre in the city of Denpasar and several smaller urban centres like the city of Gianyar. Over the last 50 years in particular, these urban centres have grown, and tourist hotspots like Kuta and Sanur have also grown to the point that they meet with the city of Denpasar.

Like many developing countries, Bali's urban areas are encroaching on its natural beauty, but the provincial government works hard to preserve "greenbelt" areas for farming and wildlife corridors along jungle gorges that run down the ancient lava flows.

Visitors wanting to experience the "real" Bali as it once was will want to head to Central Bali, East Bali, North Bali, and West Bali, where there are vast areas of jungle, savannah, and coastline that are relatively or entirely untouched by humans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bali an African country?

People often confuse the Indonesian island of Bali with Africa. There is no country in Africa called Bali. However, there are three places in Africa that use the name “Bali”. Bali, Cameroon, is a city in West Africa; Bali, Ethiopia, is a region in south-eastern Ethiopia; and Bali, Nigeria, is a local government area in Taraba State in the country of Nigeria.

Could Bali be a country?

In theory, Bali could be its own country. However, it seems happy to be a province in the country of Indonesia. Indonesia prides itself on being a country that unites around 300 ethnic groups, and it works hard to promote unity. Pancasila is the philosophical theory at the foundation of Indonesia, consisting of five principles, including belief in one God, just and civilised humanity, the unity of Indonesia, democracy guided by inner wisdom, and social justice for all Indonesians. Pancasila is legally outlined in the 4th paragraph of the Constitution of Indonesia.

Which country capital is Bali?

Bali is not a country but rather a province of Indonesia. The capital city of Bali is Denpasar, which is in the Badung Regency. There are eight regencies in Bali, and each has its own capital, but Denpasar is recognised as the capital of Bali. In the past, this was not the case; each regency was considered distinct and ruled by its own royal family.

Is Bali a country in its own right?

No, Bali is not a country in its own right; it is one of the 39 provinces of Indonesia. Each province is given a high degree of autonomy to run local affairs, and this is a key way Indonesia achieves unity. 

Is Bali safe?

Bali is a very safe destination. There are relatively few crimes committed against tourists, and Balinese society is generally very peaceful and pacifist. Indeed, the greater issue in recent years has been tourists behaving badly, and the Balinese provincial government has been working hard to identify ways to change the tourist profile of Bali towards visitors who will come and respect local tradition, religion, and cultural sensibilities.

Is Bali classed as Australia?

Bali is close to Australia, but it is part of Indonesia. Australians have a close relationship with Bali, one of their favorite holiday destinations. Australia has also helped Bali in many ways with foreign aid, assistance, and friendship programs.

Where did Bali get its name from?

In 913, Sri Kesari Warmadewa of Sanur, Bali named the island Bali Dwipa, derived from Sanskrit, meaning "Island of Sacrifice, Reincarnation, or Offering." The name Bali Dwipa ("Bali Island") has been found in multiple inscriptions, such as the Blanjong Pillar Inscription, penned by Sri Kesari Warmadewa in 914 AD.

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