. . . The Republic of Kiribati.

Kiribati (pronounced KIRR-i-bass) and its many atolls straddle the equator in the Pacific Ocean. Its less-than 100,000 residents will be the first to see 2011. Their January 1 chimes in when it will be 3pm on December 31 in Islamabad and 10am on December 31 in London.

The people of the Chatham Islands will be, imaginably, singing “Auld Lang Syne” and sipping champagne 15 minutes later at 10:15 GMT.

Below are the first 20 time zones to ring in the new year. Have a safe New Year’s Eve and all the best for 2011!

Source: www.timeanddate.com

For a full list of “When 2011 Starts Around the World”, click here.