Topography

Like all other Indonesian islands, Bali is characterised by numerous volcanoes. Some of them are still active, and this is also the case with Gunung Batur, or mount Batur in Bali. Four separate volcanic complexes dominate the centre of the island. The highest volcano is Gunung Agung, near the east end of the island. Northwest of this is Gunung Batur, with a large crater lake. More in the West are Catur (2,094 m) and Batukau (2,276 m).

The highest points on Bali are the volcanoes of Agung (3,142 m) and Batukau (2,276 m). Almost all Bali’s rivers and streams, rising mainly in the centre of the island, flow either north or south, with sufficient water to feed an intricate network of irrigation canals for the cultivation of rice.

The western end of the island is has deep valleys and is drier than the southern part. This area is also known as the “Bali Barat National Park”.

Unfortunately, tourism is nowadays putting a high pressure on the existence of the typical picturesque rice fields. Since the beginning of the year 2000, Bali has been overwhelmed with hundreds of thousands of new immigrants from Java, Sulawesi, Lombok and other islands. Many immigrants seek stability and fortune in Bali. This new immigration wave results in a spectacular growth of ribbon buildings along the main roads from the south to the centre of the island.

Land prices have doubled or even tripled in only a few years time between 1999 and 2001.