Based on the provided reference, the continent of North America is associated with some of the last places to welcome the New Year.
The Final Moments of the Year
According to the reference provided, "American Samoa, Baker Island and Howland Island (part of the United States Minor Outlying Islands) are among the last" places on Earth to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. These specific islands are located in the vast Pacific Ocean.
Geographical Context vs. Political Association
Geographically, these islands are situated in the Pacific Ocean. American Samoa is in the South Pacific, and Baker Island and Howland Island are in the central Pacific. These regions are often associated with the continent or geopolitical region of Oceania.
However, the reference explicitly highlights that Baker Island and Howland Island are "part of the United States Minor Outlying Islands," and American Samoa is also a territory of the United States. The United States is a country whose main landmass and capital are located on the continent of North America.
Connecting the Dots
While the islands themselves are physically located far from the North American mainland, their political status as territories of the United States, as emphasized in the reference, creates a direct link to the continent of North America.
Therefore, when considering which continent is associated with the very last celebrations based on the provided information, North America emerges as the relevant continent due to its connection with the country governing these final time zones.
Here is a summary of the places mentioned in the reference:
| Celebration Order | Place(s) | Associated Region/Continent |
|---|---|---|
| First | The Line Islands (Kiribati), Samoa, Tonga | Oceania |
| Last | American Samoa, Baker Island, Howland Island (US Minor Outlying Islands) | Oceania (Geographical), North America (Political) |
Baker Island and Howland Island are uninhabited. American Samoa is inhabited and celebrates 24 hours after Kiribati, Samoa, and Tonga.
Ultimately, while the final geographical landmasses to enter the New Year are islands in Oceania, the provided reference's specific mention of the United States links these last celebrations to a country primarily situated on the continent of North America.
