The first and last countries to welcome the year 2025 according to Greenwich Mean Time

Arab Weather - As the last hours of 2024 approach, the world is heading towards welcoming 2025, as celebrations begin with the passing of the last moments of the old year, crowned with new hopes for humanity in the coming year. Although this occasion unites humanity around the world, the time diversity between countries adds a unique character to it, as some countries celebrate the New Year a number of hours before others.

Greenwich Mean Time: A Global Reference for Celebrations

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is the global standard used to determine the start times of celebrations around the world, reflecting the geographic and cultural diversity between countries. Each country has a different time zone based on its location in relation to longitude, meaning that their celebrations start at different times.

Countries that celebrate the new year early

Kiritimati, also known as Christmas Island, is the first place in the world to welcome the New Year. Located in the Pacific island nation of Kiribati, the island is 14 hours ahead of GMT, opening the doors to celebrations for the first moments of 2025.

Other countries and regions that celebrate the New Year early

1. 10:00 AM (GMT): Kiritimati Island and other Kiribati Islands
2. 10:15 AM: Chatham Islands (New Zealand)
3. 11:00 AM: Mainland New Zealand
4. 12:00 PM: Fiji
5. 1:00pm: Most of Australia
6. 2:00 PM: Queensland, Australia
7. 2:30pm: Northern Territory, Australia
8. 3:00 PM: Japan, South Korea, North Korea

Latest countries to celebrate New Year

Areas west of the International Date Line see their last New Year's celebrations. Here are some of the last places to welcome the New Year:

1. 12:00 PM (GMT - January 1): Baker and Holland Islands, southwest of Hawaii
2. 10:00 AM: Honolulu, Hawaii
3. 8:00 AM: US West Coast
4. 4:00 PM (GMT): China, Philippines, Singapore
5. 5:00 PM: Indonesia, Thailand
6. 6:00 PM: Bangladesh
7. 6:30 PM: India
8. 7:00 PM: Pakistan
9. 9:00 PM: Russia, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Türkiye
10. 11:00 PM: Germany, France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria
11. Midnight: UK, Iceland, Portugal

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