The question "What is the last country to see the sun?" can be interpreted in two main ways: the last country where the sun rises on a given day, or the last country where the sun sets on a given day. Based on the provided reference, we can definitively answer the question regarding sun rise.
According to the reference:
Samoa is one of the first countries in the world to see the sun rise and American Samoa is the last country to see the sun rise.
Therefore, based on the information provided, the last country to see the sun rise is American Samoa.
The Last to See the Sun Rise
As highlighted in the reference, American Samoa holds the distinction of being the last place where the sun rises each day. This is primarily due to its geographical location relative to the International Date Line.
- Location: American Samoa is located just east of the International Date Line in the South Pacific Ocean.
- Time Zone: Being east of the date line means it is among the last territories to begin a new day.
- Contrast with Samoa: The reference notes that Samoa, which is only about 100 km away, is one of the first countries to see the sun rise. This contrast arises because Samoa moved its side of the International Date Line to the west in 2011, placing it in a time zone almost a full day ahead of American Samoa.
Key Point from Reference
| Country/Territory | Sun Event | Position | Reference Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samoa | Sun Rise | One of the first | "Samoa is one of the first countries in the world to see the sun rise..." |
| American Samoa | Sun Rise | The last | "...and American Samoa is the last country to see the sun rise." |
(Note: While the reference calls American Samoa a "country", it is officially an unincorporated territory of the United States.)
The Last to See the Sun Set
The original question could also be interpreted as asking about the last country where the sun sets. This refers to the location where daylight lingers longest at the end of a day.
- The provided reference does not contain information about the last country to see the sun set.
- Determining the absolute last place on Earth to see the sun set on any given day is complex and depends on factors like the time of year, observer's elevation, and precise definition (independent country vs. territory, inhabited vs. uninhabited). Generally, these locations are found in the latest time zones near the western edge of the time zone system.
In summary, while the provided reference clearly identifies American Samoa as the last to see the sun rise, it does not offer an answer for the last country to see the sun set.
