Which Country Is the First to Welcome the New Year?
Every year, people around the world welcome the New Year at different times because of time zones. The country that celebrates the New Year first is Kiribati, a small island nation located in the central Pacific Ocean.
Why Kiribati Is First
Kiribati includes the Line Islands, which follow UTC+14, the earliest time zone on Earth. When the clock strikes midnight on January 1 in Kiribati, most of the world is still in the previous day.
The islands of Kiritimati (Christmas Island) and nearby areas are among the very first places on the planet to celebrate the New Year.
Who Comes Next?
After Kiribati, countries and regions that welcome the New Year early include:
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Japan
- South Korea
Meanwhile, places like Hawaii (USA) and parts of the Pacific Ocean are among the last to enter the New Year.
Why It Matters
This global sequence highlights how the New Year is a rolling celebration, moving westward across the globe over nearly 48 hours.
In short:
🌍 Kiribati is the first country in the world to welcome the New Year.
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