Badung regency occupies over 418.52sqkm of land and is located in the centre of Bali Island. Stretching from north to south of the island, it is surrounded by Buleleng Regency (north), Tabanan Regency (West) and Bangli Regency, Gianyar Regency and Denpasar Municipal (east). As of June 2001, there are 332,265 people in Badung with an average population of 794 people per sqkm. The population is predominantly Hindu.

The locals are more comfortable with either Balinese or Bahasa and English is not widely spoken. Most of the people live by the agricultural sector or trade and services industry. Regional income comes mainly from the tourism sector. Despite Badung’s small size, it is the most densely populated area in Bali and also a very important place because it hosts the capital of Bali, Denpasar.

This means that the major administrative offices are all centred here. The Department of Law and Immigration, Tourism, Finance, Education and Agriculture, the central Post Office etc are some of these important offices. In the middle of town is a large open square named Puputan Square after the heroic sacrifice of the Rajas and his soldiers. In the eastern part of town is the Bali Museum and a rather new state temple, the Pura Jagatnatha.

The tourism industry is a booming one here in Badung. This is where the tourist resorts and hippie communes are. Great attention catering towards tourists’ comfort is made here, maintenance of the hippie communes is one – it developed in Kuta and rather than allow the culture to fade away, the government arranged a plan to separate the themes of different places to preserve the life of each spot.

Some of the best hotels known around Asia are located here in Badung. The Hilton, the Hyatt, and Club Med are just a few of the more popular accommodations. The Balinese architectural designs and natural surroundings are a delight to be immersed in, providing the picturesque ambience we daydream about. Nusa Dua’s beach is a little different from the other beaches though the beauty remains as breathtaking. This one is sheltered by coral reef making the place and ideal spot for family. Tanjong Benoa on the other hand specializes in water sports.

Badung is noted for the good surfing that can be done there. Some spots are namely Suluban, Labuhan Sait and Bingin. People who enjoy land sports can also explore the paths along the cliffs with prehistoric caves popping up now and then. Some other interesting places to visit and things to see include the tallest statue in the world, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (145m). It is situated on the highest point on the Bukit. There are also some renowned temples worth a visit like the Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple. The shops to do some souvenir buying and such can be found on Legian street.

Actually the tourism industry only began to expand itself here in the late ‘60s, along with places like Goa in India; Bali became famous for being a hippie haven. People from all over the world began to congregate here. The hippies might have left or they might have struck it rich from the booming industry. But from that time, Kuta began to make a name for itself as one of the more dynamic places in Indonesia – people come here to experiment with thought, pleasure, nature and lifestyles.

There are 6 Kecamatan (sub-districts) known as:

• Kecamatan Petang
  
• Abiansemal
  
• Mengwi
  
• Kuta
  This is where ,  Seminyak & Jembaran are all located.