Which country celebrates New Year first?
Answer: The country that celebrates New Year first is Kiribati. Kiribati is an island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, specifically in the central part of the Pacific. Due to its position near the International Date Line, Kiribati is one of the first places to experience the beginning of a new day.
Kiribati is divided into three island groups: the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands, and the Phoenix Islands. The Line Islands, which include islands such as Kiritimati (Christmas Island) and Tabuaeran (Fanning Island), are the easternmost islands of the nation and are therefore the first to greet the new year.
It is important to note that the specific time at which New Year is celebrated can vary within Kiribati itself, as the country spans multiple time zones. The Line Islands, which are located approximately 2,000 miles east of the Gilbert Islands, are typically the first to enter the new year, followed by the rest of Kiribati and other countries around the world.
The celebrations in Kiribati include traditional customs and modern festivities. People gather to watch fireworks displays, participate in cultural dances, sing songs, and enjoy feasts with family and friends. It is a time of joy, hope, and new beginnings for the people of Kiribati.