History of Bali in Timeline
Bali is an Indonesian province comprised of the island of Bali and smaller offshore islands like Nusa Penida. Denpasar, the provincial capital, is the most populous city in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Ubud, located in Greater Denpasar, is known as Bali's cultural center. Tourism is central to Bali's economy, accounting for 80% of it, and has risen significantly since the 1980s, leading to overtourism in some areas.
1906: Dutch assaults at the Sanur region
In 1906, the Dutch mounted naval and ground assaults at the Sanur region, met by Balinese committing ritual suicide (puputan) rather than surrender. An estimated 200 Balinese killed themselves. The Dutch governours then exercised administrative control, but local control over religion and culture generally remained intact.
1906: Dutch subjugation of Bali
In 1906, the Dutch subjugated Bali, repulsing the natives for economic control and taking over the island after 386 years of independence.
1932: Release of "Virgins of Bali" documentary
In 1932, the quasi-pornographic documentary "Virgins of Bali", which mainly consisted of scenes of topless Balinese women, was released and became a catalyst for the popularity of Bali among tourists.
1934: Nudity involving "civilised" white women was banned
Until 1934, Under the looser version of the Hays code, nudity involving "civilised" white women was banned, but permitted with uncivilised women.
1937: Last definite record of a tiger on Bali
The last definite record of a tiger on Bali dates from 1937 when one was shot.
February 1942: Japanese forces landed near the town of Sanoer (Sanur)
In February 1942, Imperial Japan occupied Bali during World War II. On February 19, 1942, Japanese forces landed near the town of Sanoer (Sanur) and the island was quickly captured.
1945: Liberation of Bali
In 1945, Bali was liberated by the British 5th infantry Division, who took the Japanese surrender. The island was handed over to the Dutch the following year.
1946: Bali as one of the administrative districts of the State of East Indonesia
In 1946, the Dutch constituted Bali as one of the 13 administrative districts of the newly proclaimed State of East Indonesia.
December 1949: Bali included in the "Republic of the United States of Indonesia"
In December 1949, Bali was included in the "Republic of the United States of Indonesia" when the Netherlands recognised Indonesian independence.
August 1958: Inauguration of regencies
In August 1958, the eight regencies of Bali were originally inaugurated.
1958: Appointment of the first governor of Bali
In 1958, Anak Agung Bagus Suteja was appointed by President Sukarno as the first governor of Bali, when Bali became a province.
1958: Bali formed into a province
In 1958, Bali was officially formed into the province of Bali based on Law Number 64 of 1958.
1963: Bali Beach Hotel Construction
In 1963, the Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur was built by Sukarno, boosting tourism in Bali. Before its construction, only three significant tourist-class hotels existed on the island.
1963: Eruption of Mount Agung
In 1963, the eruption of Mount Agung killed thousands, created economic havoc, and forced many displaced Balinese to be transmigrated to other parts of Indonesia.
1965: Suharto manoeuvre Sukarno out of the presidency
As a result of the 1965–66 upheavals, Suharto was able to manoeuvre Sukarno out of the presidency. His "New Order" government re-established relations with Western countries.
1970: Ngurah Rai International Airport opened
In 1970, Tourism further increased in Bali after the Ngurah Rai International Airport opened.
January 1992: Creation of Denpasar city
On January 1992, the city of Denpasar was created from part of Badung Regency.
1999: First free elections
Since the first free elections in 1999, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has dominated Bali's politics.
2000: Inhabitation of Bali by Austronesian people
Around 2000 BC, Bali was inhabited by Austronesian people who migrated from Taiwan through Maritime Southeast Asia and Oceania.
2002: Terrorist Bombings
In 2002, Bali's tourism economy survived the terrorist bombings.
2003: Tourism-related economy
In 2003, around 80% of Bali's economy was tourism related.
2005: DNA study of Balinese Y-chromosomes
A DNA study in 2005 found that 12% of Balinese Y-chromosomes are of likely Austroasiasic origin, while 84% are of likely Austronesian origin, and 2% of likely Melanesian origin.
2005: Terrorist Bombings
In 2005, Bali's tourism economy survived the terrorist bombings.
2005: Another bombing reduced tourism
In 2005, another bombing severely reduced tourism, producing much economic hardship on the island.
2006: Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir published
In 2006, Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir "Eat, Pray, Love" was published.
July 2008: Direct election of the Governor of Bali
On July 9, 2008, the Governor of Bali election was directly elected by the people for the first time in Bali's history.
2008: United States Government lifted its travel warnings
In 2008, the United States government lifted its travel warnings for Bali.
2008: Currency drop against the US dollar
In the last half of 2008, Indonesia's currency had dropped approximately 30% against the US dollar, providing many overseas visitors with improved value for their currencies.
August 2010: Eat Pray Love film adaptation
In August 2010, Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir "Eat, Pray, Love" was adapted into a film, taking place at Ubud and Padang-Padang Beach in Bali.
December 2010: Invitation for investors to build new cruise terminal
In December 2010, the Government of Indonesia invited investors to build a new Tanah Ampo Cruise Terminal at Karangasem, Bali with a projected worth of $30 million.
2010: Population of Bali
As of the 2010 census, the population of Bali was 3,890,757.
2010: Composition of ethnic groups
Based on data from the 2010 Indonesian Population Census, the following is the composition of ethnic groups in the province of Bali:
2010: Foreign Tourist Arrivals
In 2010, Bali received 2.57 million foreign tourists, surpassing the target of 2.0–2.3 million tourists.
2010: Best Island award from Travel and Leisure
In 2010, Bali received the Best Island award from Travel and Leisure for its attractive surroundings, diverse tourist attractions, excellent restaurants, and friendly local people.
2010: Environment Ministry report on environmental quality index
In 2010, an Environment Ministry report on its environmental quality index gave Bali a score of 99.65, which was the highest score of Indonesia's 33 provinces.
2010: Benoa port received the "Best Port Welcome 2010" award
On 16 March 2011, (Tanjung) Benoa port received the "Best Port Welcome 2010" award from London's "Dream World Cruise Destination" magazine.
2010: Increase of Chinese tourists
Since 2011, China has displaced Japan as the second-largest supplier of tourists to Bali, while Australia still tops the list while India has also emerged as a greater supply of tourists. Chinese tourists increased by 17% in 2011 from 2010 due to the impact of ACFTA and new direct flights to Bali.
2010: 2010 census
The 2010 census recorded the populations of the regencies and cities of Bali.
January 2011: Increase of Chinese tourists
Since 2011, China has displaced Japan as the second-largest supplier of tourists to Bali, while Australia still tops the list while India has also emerged as a greater supply of tourists. Chinese tourists increased by 17% in 2011 from 2010 due to the impact of ACFTA and new direct flights to Bali.
March 2011: Benoa port received the "Best Port Welcome 2010" award
On 16 March 2011, (Tanjung) Benoa port received the "Best Port Welcome 2010" award from London's "Dream World Cruise Destination" magazine.
April 2011: Survey of sea sites around Bali
From April 29, 2011, a team of scientists surveyed 33 sea sites around Bali and discovered 952 species of reef fish.
May 2011: Implementation of Area Traffic Control System
In May 2011, an integrated Area Traffic Control System (ATCS) was implemented to reduce traffic jams at four crossing points: Ngurah Rai statue, Dewa Ruci Kuta crossing, Jimbaran crossing and Sanur crossing.
May 2011: Survey of sea sites around Bali
Until May 11, 2011, a team of scientists surveyed 33 sea sites around Bali and discovered 393 coral species.
June 2011: Non-performing loan rates of banks in Bali
By the end of June 2011, the rate of non-performing loans of all banks in Bali were 2.23%, lower than the average of Indonesian banking industry non-performing loan rates (about 5%).
July 2011: First cruise ship anchored
On 17 July 2011, the first cruise ship (Sun Princess) anchored about 400 metres (1,300 feet) away from the wharf of Tanah Ampo harbour.
December 2011: Construction started on toll road and underpass
On 21 December 2011, construction started on the Nusa Dua-Benoa-Ngurah Rai International Airport toll road and the Dewa Ruci underpass near Bali Kuta Galeria.
2011: Bali, one of the World's Best Islands
According to BBC Travel released in 2011, Bali is one of the World's Best Islands, ranking second after Santorini, Greece.
January 2012: Increase in Chinese tourists
In January 2012, Chinese tourists increased by 222.18% compared to January 2011, while Japanese tourists declined by 23.54% year on year.
May 2012: Australian Government Advisory
On Friday, 4 May 2012, the Australian government issued an advisory lowering the overall level to 'Exercise a high degree of caution' for travel to Bali.
June 2012: Swedish Government Warning
On Sunday, 10 June 2012, the Swedish government issued a new warning due to one tourist who died from methanol poisoning.
2012: Tourist Arrivals
In 2012, Bali authorities reported 2.88 million foreign tourists and 5 million domestic tourists, marginally surpassing the expectations of 2.8 million foreign tourists.
May 2013: Bank Indonesia survey on tourist spending
Based on a Bank Indonesia survey in May 2013, 34.39% of tourists are upper-middle class, spending between $1,286 and $5,592, and are dominated by tourists from Australia, India, France, China, Germany and the UK; 30.26% of tourists are middle class, spending between $662 and $1,285.
July 2013: Delays in tender for terminal improvement
As of July 2013 the situation was unclear with cruise line operators complaining and even refusing to use the existing facility at Tanah Ampo due to the delays in the tender for improvement.
September 2013: Opening of Bali Mandara Toll Road
On 23 September 2013, the Bali Mandara Toll Road was opened, with the Dewa Ruci Junction underpass being opened previously.
2013: Miss World 2013 held in Bali
In 2013, Bali hosted the Miss World 2013 event.
2013: Cruise liner visits to Indonesia
In 2013, The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry advised that 306 cruise liners were scheduled to visit Indonesia, an increase of 43 per cent compared to the previous year.
2013: Water catchment and processing facility at Petanu River in Gianyar
In 2013, the central government plans to build a water catchment and processing facility at Petanu River in Gianyar to ease the water shortage.
January 2015: Australian Government Advisory
In January 2015, Australia last issued an advisory due to new terrorist threats.
July 2015: Memorandum of understanding to build railway
In July 2015, a memorandum of understanding was signed to build 565 kilometres (351 miles) of railway along the coast around the island. As of July 2015, no details of these proposed railways have been released.
January 2016: David Bowie's ashes scattered in Bali
In January 2016, it was revealed that David Bowie asked for his ashes to be scattered in Bali in his will, following Buddhist rituals.
March 2017: TripAdvisor names Bali as world's top destination
In March 2017, TripAdvisor named Bali as the world's top destination in its Traveller's Choice award.
November 2017: Mount Agung erupted
On November 27, 2017, Mount Agung erupted five times, causing the evacuation of thousands, disrupting air travel, and causing much environmental damage.
2017: Garbage emergency declared
In 2017, government officials declared a "garbage emergency" in response to the covering of 3.6-mile stretch of coastline in plastic waste, amid concerns that the pollution could dissuade visitors from returning.
2017: Expected increase in Chinese Tourists
In 2017, it was expected that Chinese tourists would outnumber Australian tourists in Bali.
2017: Mount Agung started erupting
In late 2017, Mount Agung started erupting, leading to the evacuation of many people and temporarily closing the island's airport.
September 5, 2018: Inauguration of Koster and Cok Ace as Governor and Vice Governor
On September 5, 2018, I Wayan Koster and Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati (Cok Ace) were inaugurated as Governor and Vice Governor of Bali by the President of Indonesia at the State Palace in Jakarta, marking the beginning of their five-year term (2018–2023).
2018: Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group
In 2018, Bali hosted the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.
2019: Pre-pandemic international travelers
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions, Bali welcomed 1.07 million international travelers in 2020, which is -87% compared to 2019.
2019: Plans for electric rail network
In 2019 it was reported that Wayan Koster, governor of Bali, "is keen to improve Bali's transportation infrastructure and is considering plans to build an electric rail network across the island".
January 2020: Chinese tourist cancellations due to COVID-19
In January 2020, 10,000 Chinese tourists cancelled trips to Bali due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Population of Bali
As of the 2020 census, the population of Bali was 4,317,404.
2020: 2020 census
The 2020 census recorded the populations of the regencies and cities of Bali.
January 2021: TripAdvisor names Bali as world's top destination
In January 2021, TripAdvisor once again named Bali as the world's top destination, awarding it the Traveller's Choice award.
2021: International travelers during the pandemic
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions, Bali welcomed 1.07 million international travelers in 2020, most of them between January and March, which is -87% compared to 2019. In the first half of 2021, they welcomed 43 international travelers.
2021: Foreign residents in Bali
In 2021, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism estimated that there were 109,801 foreigners living on Bali.
February 2022: Bali reopens to foreign tourists
On 3 February 2022, Bali reopened again for the first foreign tourists after 2 years of being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
November 2022: The 2022 G20 Bali summit
On 15–16 November 2022, the seventeenth meeting of the Group of Twenty (G20) was held in Nusa Dua, with the 2022 G20 Bali summit.
2022: Complementation of tourism by the medical industry
In 2022 Indonesia's Minister of Health, Budi Sadikin, stated that the tourism industry in Bali will be complemented by the medical industry.
September 5, 2023: Inauguration of Sang Made Mahendra Jaya as acting governor
On September 5, 2023, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya was inaugurated as acting governor of Bali with limited authority after the end of the previous governor's term.
2023: Proposed ban on motorcycle use by tourists
At the beginning of 2023, the governor of Bali demanded a ban on the use of motorcycles by tourists due to a series of accidents, proposing visa cancellations for violators.
2024: Estimated population of Bali
As at mid 2024, the official estimated population of Bali was 4,461,260, comprising 2,222,440 males and 2,210,820 females.
2024: Population density
In mid 2024, Bali's population density was roughly 798 people/km (2,070 people/sq mi).
2024: Official estimates
In mid 2024, official population estimates were made for each regency and city in Bali, along with the Human Development Index.
February 20, 2025: Inauguration of Koster and Prasta as Governor and Vice Governor
On February 20, 2025, I Wayan Koster and I Nyoman Giri Prasta were inaugurated as Governor and Vice Governor at the State Palace by the incumbent President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, for a five-year term (2025–2030).
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