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Which city sees the sun first?

Published in Sunrise Geography 1 min read

The first city to see the sunrise each day is Gisborne, New Zealand.

Explanation

While the very first sunrise occurs at East Cape on the North Island of New Zealand, the first city to experience the sunrise is Gisborne, which is located just south of East Cape. This fact makes Gisborne a popular destination, especially around December 31st, as many people travel there to witness the first sunrise of the New Year.

Why Gisborne?

  • East Cape, New Zealand is the easternmost point on the mainland of New Zealand.
  • Gisborne is a city situated just south of East Cape.
  • Due to the Earth's rotation, locations in the east see the sunrise before those in the west.

Key Takeaway

Gisborne holds the distinction of being the first city to be illuminated by the sun each day, making it a globally unique location in terms of daily solar activity.

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