JohnSmithBali is a small yet globally iconic island in Indonesia, renowned for its beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and rich cultural heritage. But many who dream of visiting this tropical paradise may wonder – where exactly is Bali located on the world map?
An Overview of Bali’s Geographic Location
Bali is one of over 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago. It lies around 8 degrees south of the equator, in the westernmost part of the Lesser Sunda Islands between Java to the west and Lombok to the east.
Geographically, Bali is located between 115° and 119° east longitude and between 8° and 9° south latitude. This positions the island in the central area of the Indonesian archipelago, which spans across Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Situated Between Two Major Islands
Though relatively small at only 5,780 km2 (2,231 mi2) in size, Bali punches above its weight in fame and tourism appeal. The island owes much of its popularity to its strategic location between two much larger islands – Java and Lombok.
Java, located west of Bali, is Indonesia’s political and economic hub. It’s home to over 145 million residents and the nation’s capital, Jakarta. Lombok, east of Bali, is an up-and-coming tourist destination known for its magnificent beaches.
Bali’s position allows it to benefit from proximity to both islands, capitalizing on Java’s established infrastructure while distinguishing itself as Lombok’s more developed neighbor. Tourists find Bali an appealing middle ground and gateway to exploring the broader region.
Part of the Lesser Sunda Islands Chain
Zooming out further, Bali belongs to the chain of islands known as the Lesser Sunda Islands. This volcanic archipelago extends eastward for over 1,000km from Java, comprising Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba, and Timor, among other smaller islands.
The term “Lesser Sunda” distinguishes these islands from the larger Greater Sunda Islands including Sumatra, Java, and Borneo along the archipelago’s western and central section.
Bali marks the westernmost point of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Its position here allowed Hindu and Buddhist culture to spread eastward throughout the chain, creating strong shared cultural links still evident today.
Centrally Located in Indonesia
On an Indonesian map, it becomes clear Bali occupies a highly strategic spot near the geographic center of the world’s largest archipelagic country.
As the nation’s top tourist destination, Bali serves as a popular hub and entry point for foreign visitors. Its airports connect easily to Jakarta and other major Indonesian cities. From Bali, tourists can branch out to explore Java, Lombok, and other islands more easily.
“Bali is centrally positioned within Indonesia, allowing it to serve as the ideal gateway to experiencing the diversity of the archipelago.”
A Short Distance South of the Equator
Given Indonesia’s proximity to the equator, much of the country enjoys a tropical climate typified by high humidity, warm seas, and abundant rainfall.
Bali sits around 8 degrees south of the equator, positioning it squarely in the tropics. Here, temperatures stay warm and balmy year-round, averaging around 30°C. The island sees two main seasons – a wet season from October to April and a dry season from May to September.
Thanks to this consistently tropical climate, Bali’s rainforests, rice paddies, and coral reefs thrive. These natural wonders are a huge part of Bali’s appeal and contribute greatly to its tourism economy.
Strategically Located for Tourism
In summary, Bali’s location provides it with unique advantages that explain its rise as a top global travel destination:
- Its position between Java and Lombok allows easy access from major hubs.
- Its cultural ties as part of the Lesser Sunda Islands give it a rich, distinctive heritage.
- Its proximity to the equator gifts it a beautifully lush, tropical landscape.
- Its central spot within Indonesia makes it a convenient gateway to explore the region further.
While many know Bali as a paradise, its geography and strategic location have contributed greatly to making this possible. Understanding where exactly Bali lies in the Indonesian archipelago and the world provides greater insight into what makes the Island of the Gods so special.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bali’s Location
Where is Bali located in Australia?
Bali lies around 3,200 km north of Australia, separated by the Indian Ocean. The two share a similar time zone – both are in the UTC+8 zone, with Bali one hour ahead of Perth, Australia’s westernmost major city. Flights connect the two in around 5-6 hours.
Is Bali in Asia or Australia?
Geographically, Bali is part of Asia, as it lies in the Indonesian archipelago. However, from a tourism marketing perspective, Bali is sometimes grouped with Australia in the broader Australasia region. Both Indonesia and Australia share membership in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
How far is Bali from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur?
Bali lies around 1,620 km southeast of Singapore and 2,510 km southeast of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Flights from these Southeast Asian hubs take 2-3 hours to reach Bali, making it a popular beach getaway.
What bodies of water surround Bali?
The main bodies of water around Bali are:
- The Bali Sea to the north
- The Indian Ocean to the south
- The Lombok Strait separates Bali from Lombok to the east
- The Java Sea to the west between Bali and Java
Is Bali located in the Ring of Fire?
Yes, Bali’s position in the Indonesian archipelago means it sits squarely within the Ring of Fire – the zone around the Pacific characterized by frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Bali has one active volcano, Mount Agung.
Conclusion
Bali’s small size belies its outsized global fame. The island owes much of its popularity to an ideal geographic location – situated between key islands, near the equator, and centrally within Indonesia. Hopefully, this breakdown has provided a better understanding of exactly where Bali lies on the map and how its strategic position enabled its rise as a top travel destination.
