24 hours Around the World

December 21 2012

The dawn of a new era is supposed to start as the clock strikes 12, or the sun rises on December 21 2012. But, different parts of the world have varying times. Some countries are a full day ahead of others. So what country will move into December 21 first? And if you believe that it’s the End of the World, then it would help to know what country will be the last one standing. Essential Travel Magazine gathered a few interesting places to be this Friday.

The Line Islands

Napali Beach on Fanning Island

There are lots of debates about which city sees the sun first (all based on technical light rays reaching across different spaces) but The Line Islands which are part of Kiribati are in the world’s farthest time-zone. Right now, while writing this article, the time is 13:46 on Tuesday, December 18. All the way in The Line Islands, it is already 3:48am on Wednesday, December 19. The Lind Islands are a small ring-shaped chain of islands found in the Pacific Ocean. Included among them are Christmas Island, Fanning Island and Palmrya Island.

Fanning Island is home to just 3000 locals.Palmyra Island is threatened by overfishing, which disturbs an already delicate balance in the reef ecosystem. Palmyra is being redesigned as a research station to study the reef ecosystem in the hopes of developing better coral reef conservation.

South Africa

Table Mountain, Cape Town

In South Africa, the time is slightly in the middle of the first and last places to see the rising sun. Located at the south tip of Africa, it has become one of the most beautiful countries in the world with idyllic beaches and award winning mountains. South Africa will be right in the middle of December 21 when it’s ending for The Line Islands.

Hawaai

Hawaai

The last place to see the sun on December 21 2012 will be Hawaai. There are places in the Pacific Ocean that are actually 26 hours behind The Line Islands but they probably won’t be celebrating as much since it’s in the middle of the ocean. Hawaai and The Line Islands have the same time but are exactly a day behind. So, if the world ends in The Line Islands, then Hawaai has 24 hours to prepare themselves.