Bali is an Indonesian Island. It has terrace rice fields; green, forest-clad mountain; and beautiful lakes and beaches. Unlike other parts of Indonesia, which follow the faith of Islam, the people of Bali practice a religion called Balinese Hinduism. There are thousands of temple on the Island--in villages, in fields, on the shore of the sea and lakes, and in mountain caves. The many statues of gods and demons have earned Bali the name Isle of the Gods. The province of Bali consists of the island of Bali itself, and smaller of bali such as Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. The provincial capital is Denpasar, on the southern promontory of the main island. The island of Bali lies to the east of java across a norrow strait, about 11/2 mile (2.5 kilometer) wide. The island has an area of about 1,930 square miles (5,000 square kilometer). Most of Bali consists of a cluster of high volcanoes. The principal mountains are Gunung Agung, Gunung Batukau, and Gunung Batur. Gunung agung, Bali's highest mountain, rises 10,249 feet (3,124 meter). It is the sacred mountain of the whole island. Volcanic ash makes the island's soil rich and fertile. The main agricultural produc is rice. Balinese craftworkers make wooden, horn, bone, and ivory carving, and shadow play puppets. Balinese painting use both traditional and modern forms. They often have Hindu themes. The Balinese also show their artistic talents in dance-dramas and in literature, traditionally, written on narrow strips of palm leaf. Music and dance are an integral part of the Balinese way of life. Every village has a gamelan (an orchestra which consists chiefly of a variety of chimes made of wood, bronze, or metal). Each village also has its own group of dancers. Popular dance themes are taken from the Ramayana, a Hindu epic poem Balinese dancing is world famous. One of the most popular Balinese dances is the Legong Dance. This dance is the most classical of the traditional dance forms in Bali. It is performed by two or three young girls, accompanied by a gamelan.
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