Bali

Island province of Indonesia, lying between the island of Java to the W and Lombok to the E. The area is mostly mountainous, and its flora and fauna resemble those of Java. It was visited by the Chinese and Indians, and by the 7th century BCE it had embraced Hinduism. It was captured in 1284 by Kertanagara, the last king of Tumapel in Java, but regained its independence upon his death in 1292. Bali came under the rule of the Majapahit Empire of eastern Java in 1343, until it was overthrown by the Muslims in 1478. After first visiting in 1597, the Dutch annexed the northern Balinese states of Bueleng and Jembrana in 1882. It was occupied by the Japanese during World War II. Stage plays and dancing are an integral part of Balinese life.