Karangasem – Observer Member

The regency (kabupaten) of Karangasem is located in the east part of Bali Island. It covers an area of 839.54 km² with a population of 369.320 (2002). It is divided into eight districts (kecamatan): Rendang, Sidemen, Manggis, Karangasem, Abang, Bebandem, Selat and Kubu, and its capital is Amlapura. The regency of Karangasem is well known as “The Spirit of Bali” whereas the mother temple of Besakih and several other big temples of Bali are located. Consisting of villages, hamlets and temples, Karangasem has green landscape where Mount Agung, the biggest active volcano in Bali, is located.

Karangasem was devastated when Mount Agung erupted in 1963, killing 1,900 people. Tukad Unda river is flowing across the area of Karangasem and other cities of the surroundings, which is mostly utilized for rice field irrigation. There are subaks in Karangasem: 135 water subaks (subak yeh) and 158 plantation subaks (subak abian).

Karangasem has one of the water resources for the UNESCO acknowledgement for Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak System as the Manifestation of Tri Hita Karana Philosophy, inscribed in 2012. One of Balinese dance rooted from Karangasem is one of the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for Nine Traditional Balinese Dance, inscribed in 2015.