Bali

Bali, or LITTLE JAVA, one of the Sunda Islands, lying east of Java, about 75 miles long by 50 broad. Its area is 2300 sq. m.; pop. 760,000. A chain of mountains crosses the island from east to west, rising in the volcanic peak of Gunung-agung to 12,379 feet. Agriculture is the chief employment of the people. They grow rice, indigo, cotton, fruits, maize, and edible roots, and possess buffaloes and cattle. Fish are plentiful. Coffee is now exported in considerable quantity from Buleleng, the trading capital. The Balinese are a superior race, and speak a language related to Javanese. They excel as sculptors, and in working gold, silver, and iron. Their religion is Brahmanism of an ancient type, and they still keep up some of the cruel rites of the Hindus which have disappeared from India. Under the Dutch, the nine little principalities of the island are governed by native rulers. Chinese and a few Europeans are the chief traders.