Bali

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on the north by the Bali Sea (Indonesian name Laut Bali) and on the south by the Indian Ocean (this part of which is known in Indonesian as Samudera Indonesia).

It is separated from Java, to the west, by the Bali Strait (Selat Bali), an arm of the sea which at its narrowest point is only 2.5 km (11/2 mi.) wide, and from its smaller eastern neighbour, the island of Lombok, by the 40 km (25 mi.) wide Lombok Strait (Selat Lombok).

With an area of 5501 sq. km (2124 sq. mi.), Bali is more than twice the size of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (2586 sq. km (998 sq. mi.)). Its maximum length from west to east is 145 km (90 mi.), its maximum width from north to south 95 km (60 mi.).

Included within the province of Bali (area 5561 sq. km (2147 sq. mi.)) are the offshore islands of Nusa Penida (the largest), Nusa Cemingan and Nusa Lembongan, which are separated from the main island by the Badung Strait (Selat Badung), and the little island of Pulau Serangan (Turtle Island), which closes off Benoa Bay at the southern tip of Bali. Off the north-western tip of Bali is the uninhabited islet of Pulau Mejangan.

Near the southern tip of Bali, in latitude 8°39' south and longitude 115°13 east, is Denpasar, the chief town and administrative centre of the province of Bali.