PARTYGOERS around the world will be celebrating as they look to bring the New Year in with style.
Every year, parties erupt around the globe as different time zones celebrate, but just who will be the first and last people to see the New Year in?
Which country celebrates New Year first?
Most Brits look to Australia as the first country to see in the New Year but this is not the case.
Kiritimati Island - also known as ChristmasIsland - and a string of 10 other mostly uninhabited islands in the central Pacific Ocean will be the first to ring in 2023.
Despite lying directly south of Hawaii, Kiritimati Island will celebrate the New Year nearly a full day earlier.
They see in the New Year while Brits are still sipping their morning coffee at 10am GMT on December 31.
At 11am GMT the tiny Pacific island of Tonga head into a fresh year along with New Zealand and Samoa.
Where will the New Year arrive last?
As the chain reaction of time zones celebrating causes somewhat of a ripple effect across the Earth, there always has to be someone who has to wait the longest.
The last place to ring in 2023 will be Baker Island and Howland Island, who will see the New Year at 12pm GMT on January 1.
Albeit uninhabited islands, there may not be many party poppers or champagne corks seeing the New Year in, but the day technically ends an hour later in the US territories.
What time does New Year arrive around the world?
As countries all over the world usher in 2023, traditions and celebrations will take place to welcome the New Year over a 25 hour period.
Brits typically will countdown the New Year to the chimes of Big Ben as they count from ten to one before the explosion of fireworks, celebrations and drinks spilling everywhere.
Using London time (GMT), this is when the world will welcome 2023:
December 31
- 10am - Samoa and Christmas Island/Kiribati
- 10.15am - New Zealand
- 12pm - Fiji and Eastern Russia
- 1pm - Eastern Australia (Melbourne and Sydney)
- 2pm - Central Australia (Brisbane, Darwin and Adelaide)
- 3pm - Japan, South Korea and North Korea
- 3.15pm - Western Australia (Perth and Eucla)
- 4pm- China, Philippines, Singapore
- 5pm - Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia
- 5.30pm - Myanmar and Cocos Islands
- 6pm - Bangladesh
- 6.15pm - Nepal
- 6.30pm - India and Sri Lanka
- 7pm - Pakistan
- 8pm - Azerbaijan
- 8.30pm - Iran
- 9pm - Turkey, Iraq, Kenya and Western Russia
- 10pm - Greece, Romania, South Africa, Hungary, and eastern European cities
- 11pm - Germany, France, Italy, Algeria, Belgium, Spain
- Midnight - UK, Ireland, Ghana, Iceland, Portugal
January 1
- 1am - Cape Verde and the Spanish Isles
- 2am - Eastern Brazil, South Georgia and Sandwich Islands
- 3am - Argentina, remaining regions in Brazil, Chile, Paraguay
- 3.30am - Newfoundland and Labrador/Canada
- 4am - Eastern Canada, Bolivia, Puerto Rico
- 5am - Eastern Standard Time in the US - New York, Washington, Detroit and Cuba
- 6am - Central Standard Time in the US - Chicago
- 7am - Mountain Standard Time in the US - Colorado, Arizona
- 8am - Pacific Standard Time in the US - LA, Nevada
- 9am - Alaska and French Polynesia
- 10am - Hawaii, Tahiti and Cook Island
- 11am - American Samoa
- 12pm - Baker Island, Howland Island
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As a seasoned enthusiast in geography, time zones, and global celebrations, I can confidently provide insights into the concepts and information embedded within the article about New Year celebrations worldwide.
The article touches upon several interconnected concepts:
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Time Zones and Global Celebrations: Understanding the chronological progression of time zones and how various countries welcome the New Year at different intervals is crucial. It involves comprehending the International Date Line and the time differences between regions across the globe.
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Geographical Locations and Islands: The discussion delves into specific geographical locations such as Kiritimati Island (Christmas Island), Tonga, Baker Island, and Howland Island. These locations serve as markers for the earliest and latest New Year celebrations due to their positions relative to the International Date Line.
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Cultural Traditions and Celebrations: Different cultures and countries have diverse customs and traditions when it comes to celebrating the New Year. The article touches upon some of these traditions, from fireworks displays to specific countdowns like those near Big Ben in London.
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Time Zones Across Different Countries: The article provides a detailed breakdown of New Year arrival times across various countries and cities worldwide, utilizing GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) as a reference point.
Regarding the specific locations and time zones mentioned in the article:
- Kiritimati Island (Christmas Island) and Tonga are among the first to welcome the New Year.
- Baker Island and Howland Island mark the final spots where the New Year arrives, despite being uninhabited territories.
- The timeline, using London time (GMT), illustrates the sequential arrival of the New Year across different regions, spanning a 25-hour period from Samoa/Kiribati to American Samoa.
The topics mentioned in the article cover a range of geographical locations, timekeeping, cultural celebrations, and global traditions associated with welcoming the New Year. Understanding these elements provides a broader perspective on how diverse cultures around the world mark the transition into a new year based on their specific time zones and customs.
