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The time zone differences make countries around the world usher in the New Year at different times, and Kiritimati takes the lead in this festive race.
Kiritimati, the vanguard of New Year's arrival
Kiritimati and 10 virtually uninhabited coral islands at the center of the Pacific are the first to welcome the New Year at 5:00 PM on December 31st (Hanoi time). Kiritimati belongs to the group of 33 islands constituting the Republic of Kiribati. On the map, you can see Kiritimati situated right next to Hawaii (USA), yet it celebrates the New Year one day ahead.
This peculiar phenomenon started in 1995. Before that, the archipelago was situated on both sides of the International Date Line. Consequently, the east and west sides had a one-day time difference, causing Kiribati to face numerous challenges, as the two island groups only shared 4 working days each week. The government and businesses on both sides struggled to conduct transactions and collaborate with each other.
Since 1995, Kiribati has shifted the International Date Line so that both island groups can use the same time zone. This move has enabled Kiribati to become a nation witnessing the first sunrise of the 3rd millennium. This event has propelled Kiribati's tourism industry forward.
Samoa could have been the first country to welcome the New Year. However, in 2021, the country abolished daylight saving time, preventing Samoa from joining Kiribati as the first nations to celebrate the New Year. Samoa and New Zealand will usher in the New Year right after Kiribati at 6:00 PM on December 31st (Hanoi time), along with five other locations. Previously, a part of New Zealand, the Chatham Islands, would welcome the New Year at 5:15 PM on December 31st (Hanoi time).
The group welcoming the New Year last includes Niue (in the Pacific Ocean), Midway Atoll, American Samoa (USA), Jarvis Island (in the Pacific Ocean), Kingman Reef (in the Pacific Ocean), and Palmyra Atoll (USA). These places will greet the New Year at 6:00 PM on January 1st (Hanoi time).
However, if we consider uninhabited places, islands like Baker or Howland (in the Pacific Ocean) will celebrate the New Year the latest. New Year's Eve in these locations will be at 7:00 PM on January 1st (Hanoi time).
As per Monster
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourJanuary 9, 2023
