SINGARAJA

also spelled Singaradja, city, Bali provinsi (province), north-central Bali, Indonesia. It is located near the north coast and is linked by road with other cities on the island. Buleleng to the north is its port on the Java Sea. Under Dutch colonial rule, Singaraja was the capital of Nusa Tenggara (Lesser Sunda Islands). The city's population includes Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians; there are also Arab and Indian settlers who are mostly merchants and traders. Singaraja is a centre of trade in rice and coffee, primarily for export to nearby Java. Crafts include sandstone carving; weaving; basket, hat, bag, and fan making; and leatherworking. The city has a historical library, the Gedong Kirtya, containing about 3,000 Balinese manuscripts. Sangsit (4 miles east of Singaraja), Sarvan (to the southeast), and Yeh Sanih (to the east) are sites of old Hindu temples. About 7 miles (11 km) west of the city is the Lovina beach. Pop. (1980) 94,914.