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Buleleng
Buleleng is a regency (kabupaten) of Bali, Indonesia. It was founded as a kingdom by Gusti Panji Sakti, who ruled c. 1660-c. 1700. It is both physically and culturally the "other side of Bali". Long isolated from the south by the central volcanic ridge and vast expanse of primary forest, it has developed unique social and cultural features. The Buleleng regency stretches across almost the whole of the northern part of Bali. The area generally consists of steep mountain slopes plunging down into a narrow coastal plain. Ancient beads dating back 2,000 years were recently discovered in Pacung, 40km east of Singaraja the first sign of Indian trade with the Indonesian archipelago. And small stupa effigies showing signs of a Buddhist presence have been unearthed in Lovina, where 6th century Buddhist monks landed and settled, eventually traveling south to where their culture blossomed, 200 years later. These discoveries bear witness to the role of early sea routes in the history of Buleleng, the first region to be colonized by the Dutch.comment | share |