Denpasar, city in central Indonesia and capital of the island province of Bali. Located near Bali's southernmost point, Denpasar's economy is based largely on tourism. Although Denpasar itself is not a tourist destination, the city's international airport is a major gateway to Indonesia. The increase in tourism-related investment helped fuel brisk population growth in Denpasar, where the population more than tripled between 1970 and 1990. Important landmarks in the city include the Toering Guru, a statue of the four-faced, eight-armed Hindu god Guru, Lord of the Four Dimensions; and Puputan Square, which commemorates the heroic but suicidal stand of the rajas of Badung against the Dutch invasion in 1906. The large Bali Museum, originally founded by the Dutch in 1932, is built in the style of local palaces and temples. Other notable sites include a traditional arts complex, featuring a dance center and a handicraft center. Denpasar's original market, Pasar Badung, has been relocated to the outskirts of the city. During the 19th century, Denpasar was the capital of an area known as Badung, ruled by the rajah of Badung. A large number of Balinese died in Denpasar defending Badung against the Dutch in 1906. Population (1997) 373,272.
