In 1990, the population of Bali is 2,778,000, 93.18% are Hindus, with a density of 500 persons per sq km, and an average growth of 1.18%. Bali's economy is one of the most vivacious in Indonesia, fueled by constant flow of tourism dollars and supported by agricultural production and trade revenues. Balinese people are gifted artists, producing garment, and arts & crafts that are exported. In addition to gorgeous nature and enchanting people and culture, Bali is also endowed with fertile land. Its economy is growing at close to 9% per year, with export values close to $150 millions.
The primary export products are garments, handicrafts, and agricultural products such as fish, coffee, tuna, seaweed, and vanilla. The arable land of South Bali and a sophisticated irrigation mechanism arranged through the Water Temple system ( which has been shown by a couple of University of Southern California scientists to be optimal), give Bali and its people two full crops of rice year after year. Corn and other horticulture are also planted.
The land is also an excellent grazing pasture for Balinese cattles, water buffalloes, goats, sheeps, and horses. Pigs are also raised and consumed a lot in Bali, and chickens and ducks are raised by the farmers in their land. The rain forests in Bali produce cayuput oil, rattan, and incense, which is used ubiquitously in Balinese ceremony. There is about 8,535.05 ha of productive forest area. The Balinese are not too eager to explore the sea, because they believe that it is the place of evil spirits. However, tuna, baramundi, seaweed, and shrimp are quite abundant in the seas surrounding Bali. Balinese have about 841.37 ha of water fishery area. |