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- Published: December 31, 2022 16:46
New Delhi: While India awaits to welcome 2023, the continent of Oceania, having countries Australia, and New Zealand and island nations like Fiji and Papua New Guinea, is the first place in the world to welcome the New Year. The Kiritimati Island in Kiribati is the first inhabited place to celebrate 2023, where January 1 begins at 10 am GMT (3:30 pm IST on December 31). Meanwhile, people in Australia and New Zealand have already welcomed the Ney Year.
See the pictures and videos:
#WATCH | People in New Zealand cheerfully welcome New Year 2023 amid fireworks & light show. Visuals from Auckland.#NewYear2023
(Source: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/mgy1By4mmA
— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2022
Tonga, Samoa, and Kiribati welcome the New Year first, followed by New Zealand at 10:15 am GMT (3:45 pm IST on December 31).
While January 1 seemingly comes at the same time, but different countries welcome the New Year at different times as the time zones differ. Interestingly, New Year is welcomed throughout the day in different parts of Earth as the West celebrates the New Year when it is an evening in India. Different countries will welcome 2023 at different moments as the Sun rises in the east and the day comes late to the west due to Earth’s rotation, which causes a difference in the time zones.
The uninhabited Howland and Baker Islands are the last to welcome the New Year. The islands, near the United States, will welcome the New Year at 12 pm GMT (5:30 pm IST on January 1).
Meanwhile, India and Sri Lanka will welcome 2023 at 6:30 pm GMT.
