The arrival of New Year It is a global event held over a 24-hour period due to differences in time zones. While some regions are already saying goodbye to the old year with fireworks and traditions, others are still in the middle of the year. December 31.
This phenomenon responds to the design of time zones and the International Date Line, a convention that divides the planet into consecutive days. In this context, some countries have the privilege of receiving the New Year early, while others must wait up to a full day to join the celebration.
The International Date Line defines time zones and separates two consecutive days on the planet
The first country to welcome the New Year is Kiribatispecifically your Isla de Kiritimati o Christmas Island. This archipelago, located in the central Pacific, benefits from its strategic position east of the International Date Line.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)this line works as a time limit that separates two consecutive days: crossing it to the west means moving forward one day, while crossing it to the east means going back.
In 2011, the government of Samoa decided to alter its position regarding this line to better align with its commercial partners in Asia y Oceania. Since then, this country is also among the first to welcome the New Year, along with Kiribati, sharing the attention in the Polynesia region.
New Zealand celebrates the New Year before many with its Chatham Islands ahead of the rest of the country (Illustrative Image Infobae)
- Kiribati (Kiritimati Island) – The first inhabited place to cross midnight.
- Samoa: strategically located after its change of position with respect to the Date Line.
- Tonga: island country near Samoa in Polynesia.
- New Zealand (Islas Chatham): a small region that precedes the rest of the country in welcoming the New Year.
- New Zealand (North Island and South Island): recognized for its famous fireworks in Auckland.
- More: famous tourist destination in the Pacific.
- Australia (Isla Norfolk): an island that is ahead of the rest of the country in celebrations.
- Australia (Sydney y Canberra): Home to one of the most iconic fireworks shows in the world.
- Papua New Guinea: close to Australia and within the first time zones.
- Japan: recognized for its ceremonial and festive traditions on New Year’s Eve.
Howland and Baker Islands are the last territories in the world to cross over to the New Year, although they are not inhabited (Photos: AFP/Google Maps)
On the opposite side of the International Date Line, the Howland Islands y Bakeruninhabited territories of the United States, are the last points on the planet to receive the New Year. Located in the central Pacific, these islands remain almost a full day behind Kiribati and Samoa.
Among the inhabited places, Samoa Americana It stands out as the last territory to cross into the new year. This region, belonging to USAis located only 2,000 kilometers from Samoa, but due to its position with respect to the International Date Line, it celebrates 24 hours apart from its neighbor.
- Howland and Baker Islands: the last territories to cross into the New Year, although uninhabited.
- Samoa Americana: the last inhabited place to celebrate the New Year.
- Hawaii (United States): part of the Hawaiian archipelago, a popular tourist destination.
- Tahiti (French Polynesia): another paradise island in the Pacific.
- Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia): with different time zones from the rest of Polynesia.
- Alaska (United States): its western regions celebrate among the last.
- Midway Islands (United States): another region of the North American Pacific.
- Cook Islands (New Zealand): a small autonomous archipelago related to New Zealand.
- Pitcairn Islands (United Kingdom): an isolated British colony in the South Pacific.
- French Polynesia (Rest of territory): island regions that complete the list of the last to celebrate.
