India, Dec. 31 -- The year ends every year as the clock ticks midnight on December 31, with a celebration of the past 365 days and a hope for a better set of days ahead. But the moment doesn't come everywhere at once.

Across the hours of the day around the world, different regions celebrate the new year at different times due to Earth's rotation, resulting in time zone differences. It is more than a full day of celebrations, and the countdown to the calendar change is staggered.

From tiny Pacific islands to bustling metropolises, the time difference creates a wave of fireworks, cheers, and resolutions that rolls across the globe. So the question is, where does the new year arrive first, and which region gets to celebrate it last? And wh...