Goodbye 2012! Enjoy the New Year in these spectacular pictures as countries across the globe celebrate the arrival of 2013
- Swimmers brave freezing temperatures to take part in New Year's Day dips across the world
- Members of grenadier corps in Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany, fire 12 shots with a cannon at 8am
- Central Pacific Ocean island of Kiritimati (Christmas Island) first to usher in the New Year
- Sydney saw 2013 at 1pm GMT, with some 1.5 million people attending the city's events
- In Philippines a child fights for life and more than 400 people hurt by firecrackers and gunfire in celebrations
- The increasingly democratic Myanmar - also known as Burma - celebrated with its first ever public countdown
- Moscow's Red Square was filled with spectators as fireworks exploded near the Kremlin to welcome the new year
- 200,000 turn out in Shanghai to witness the 4D light show and lighting up of historical buildings
- Multicolored fireworks danced up and down the world's tallest building - the Burj Khalifa - in Dubai
- The festive mood in New Delhi has been marred by the death of a young rape victim on Saturday
- More than 1 million people will pack into New York's streets for the traditional crystal ball drop in Times Square
- American Samoa will be the last place on Earth to herald in the New Year on Tuesday at 11am GMT
By LEON WATSON and ANTHONY BOND
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Major celebrations to welcome the new year have taken place in some of the world's most iconic locations throughout today.
Swimmers across Europe brave the cold to take part in New Year's Day dips in Holland, Rome and Geneva.
Lavish and expensive fireworks lit up skylines in Sydney, Hong Kong and Shanghai and even the once-isolated country of Myanmar - also known as Burma - joined the countdown party for the first time in decades.
Much of Europe joined in the celebrations with revellers taking to the streets for fireworks in Athens, Berlin, Warsaw, and Rome.
Celebrations have been planned for around the world, including the traditional crystal ball drop in New York City's Times Square, where 1 million people are expected to cram into the surrounding streets.
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Traditional first sea plunge of the year in Barcelona, Spain, saw hundreds of people on a cold and rainy morning to welcome 2013
Swimmers dive into the North Sea during the Nieuwjaarsduik, or New Year's dive in Scheveningen, Netherlands
Swimmers take part in the traditional New Year's Day swim in the sea on Saltdean Beach, Brighton
A man dives from the Cavour Bridge into Rome's river Tiber as part of traditional New Year celebrations on January 1, 2013
Crowds gather along Cavour Bridge by Rome's Tiber river to watch the New Year's Day dive into the water
Participants joke before taking their first bath in the sea to celebrate the arrival of the New Year at Carcavelos beach, on the outskirts of Lisbon
People carry glasses of champagne while swimming in the chilly water during the annual swim in Lake Geneva, on New Year's day
Members of the historic grenadier corps in Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany, fire 12 shots with a cannon at 8am on 01 January 2013 in a traditional greet of New Year 2013
The first such event took place 1633. The event marks the successful survival of the people of Villingen of the winter siege imposed by Swedish and Wuerttemberg forces
4D lighting on a building at the Bund as part of the New Year celebrations in Shanghai, China
A modern light show is staged on the historical buildings at the bank of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, east China
More than 200,000 people witnessed the light show and New Year countdown in Shanghai on Monday night
Costumed dancers celebrate during the New Year Junkanoo Parade in Nassau, Bahamas. The carnival like festival is celebrated in the early hours of the New Year and dates back to slavery days
Costumed musician plays the trumpet as he marches in Bahama's New Year Junkanoo Parade
Shanghai doesn't disappoint with its amazing 4D light display against historical buildings
Big bang: Fireworks explode over Elizabeth Tower housing the Big Ben clock to celebrate the New Year in London
Magnificent: Fireworks over the iconic London Eye marking the coming of the New Year in Central London
Green with envy: The fireworks offered a beautiful spectrum from violet to emerald
Fireworks explode beside Vienna's giant ferris wheel Wiener Riesenrad at Prater park during New Year
Spectacular: Fireworks light up the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin as the German city welcomed in the New year
An amazing spectacle of fireworks lights up the sky behind the Quadriga statue on top of the Brandenburg Gate shortly after midnight on January 1, 2013 in Berlin, Germany
Dramatic: Fireworks explode during New Year celebrations over the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
The sky over the city of Dresden, Germany, was also lit up with fireworks as thousands gathered in the city to celebrate the turn of the year
New Year celebrations in Warsaw, Poland as 2013 is welcomed with a bang
Muted: Fireworks explode over the temple of the Parthenon during New Year celebrations in Athens
Optimistic: Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras promised Greeks that the worst of the financial crisis is past, and declared 2013 a 'year of hope'
Fireworks explode over the ancient Acropolis Hill with the Parthenon temple during New Year's celebrations
Happy: Revellers write the number 2013 with sparklers during the Hogmanay street party celebrations in Edinburgh
Fireworks light the sky above the Cathedral Square in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius
Revellers take to the Champs Elysee to see in the New Year in Paris, France
People toast with a bottle of Champagne as they celebrate the New Year on the Trocadero square beside the Eiffel Tower in Paris, early on January 1, 2013
Fireworks erupt over the Naples skyline in southern Italy as 2013 arrives
Fireworks light up the ancient Colisseum in central Rome's via dei Fori just after midnight
VIDEO Happy New Year London! Big Ben strikes midnight before an amazing fireworks display
Global celebrations began in Sydney, where the balmy summer night was split by fireworks fired from roof tops and barges, many cascading from the Sydney Harbor Bridge, in a 6.6 million Australian dollar pyrotechnic extravaganza billed by organisers as the world's largest.
An incredible 7 tons of fireworks were fired into the night-sky as the city welcomed in the New Year with style.
Asia welcomed the New Year on a grand scale, partying with renewed optimism despite the so-called fiscal cliff threatening to reverberate globally from the United States and the tattered economies of Europe, where the party was expected to be a bit more subdued.
British forces serving in southern Afghanistan marked New Year’s Eve at military bases across Helmand Province.
The British troops found time between their duties to acknowledge what has been a productive 2012, which has seen the first 500 servicemen sent home from Afghanistan in recent weeks as they begin to complete their mission to hand over responsibility for security to Afghan forces.
British troops playing reel the bucket for New Year's Eve in Helmand Province. When the piper plays they have to try to swing the other players into the buckets until there is only two left. The winner is decided by an arm wrestle contest
British forces serving in southern Afghanistan have been marking New Year's Eve at military bases across Helmand Province
Stephanie Nicole Ela, 7, is comforted by her parents. Stephanie was hit in the head by a stray bullet and is understood to be in a serious condition
A couple kiss ahead of New Year celebrations at Times Square in New York
Revellers cheer after receiving balloons as they stand in Times Square before celebrating the New Year in New York
The fireworks explode as the Waterford crystal ball is raised at the beginning of Times Square's New Year's celebration earlier
Sisters, from left, Gabbi and Chloe Iuliano and their friend Serena Naraval wear New Year's Eve party hats and glasses as they watch the Gator Bowl Parade in Jacksonville, Florida
Revellers gather in New York's Times Square as Americans prepare to welcome in the New Year
Egyptians dance on a pleasure boat travelling on the River Nile during New Year's Eve celebrations near Tahrir Square in Cairo
Fireworks explode over and around the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House during New Year celebrations on January 1
Bright: The Sydney Harbour Bridge looks impressive surrounded by colourful fireworks
Colourful: Spectator boats in Sydney Harbour look on as the New Year's Eve fireworks erupt over the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Extravagant: Sydney's balmy summer night was lit up by 7 tons of fireworks which were fired from roof tops and barges, many cascading from the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Expensive: The firework display in Sydney cost 6.6 million Australian dollars
In a field in increasingly democratic Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, about 90,000 people experienced the country's first public New Year countdown, after almost five decades under military regimes that discouraged or banned big public gatherings.
'This is very exciting and also our first experience in celebrating the New Year at a big countdown gathering. We feel like we are in a different world,' said Yu Thawda, a university student who came with three of her friends.
VIDEO Now watch the Sydney fireworks display...
In Russia, Moscow's iconic Red Square was this evening filled with spectators as fireworks exploded near the Kremlin to welcome in the new year. Earlier in the day, about 25 people were reportedly arrested in Moscow for trying to hold an unsanctioned demonstration.
But President Vladimir Putin gave an optimistic New Year's Eve address, making no reference to the anti-government protests that have occurred in his country in the past year.
'We believe that we can change the life around us and become better ourselves, that we can become more heedful, compassionate, gracious,' Putin said, according to the ITAR-Tass news agency.
Beautiful: Fireworks explode over St. Basil Cathedral in Moscow's Red Square
Looking forward: Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an optimistic New Year's Eve address, making no reference to the anti-government protests that have occurred in his country in the past year
Stunning: Fireworks illuminate the sky around Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, during celebrations in the Gulf emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Thrilling: Taiwan welcomes in the New Year with a fireworks display on the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei
Bold: The tallest skyscraper in Taiwan was a fitting choice for this spectacular firework display
Fireworks illuminate Burj Khalifa while thousands of people gather to celebrate the New Year at midnight in Dubai
Earlier, the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai took up the baton with a spectacular display featuring multicolored fireworks dancing up and down the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
In Hong Kong, tens of thousands of people lined the Victoria Harbor to view this year's 12.5 million Hong Kong dollar ($1.6 million) fireworks display, said to be the biggest ever in the southern Chinese city.
VIDEO New York counts down to midnight in Times Square
One day after dancing in the snow to celebrate the first anniversary of leader Kim Jong Un's ascension to supreme commander, North Koreans marked the arrival of the new year, marked as 'Juche 102' on North Korean calendars.
Cannons boomed at midnight in Pyongyang as people crowded the streets of the capital to watch a fireworks show over the Taedong River.
Juche means self-reliance, the North Korean ideology of independence promoted by national founder Kim Il Sung, who was born 102 years ago. His grandson now rules North Korea.
In New Delhi, the festive mood was marred by the death Saturday of a young rape victim.
Hotels, clubs and residents' associations in the Indian capital decided to cancel planned festivities and asked people to light candles to express their solidarity with the victim whose plight sparked public rallies for women's safety.
Incredible: A stunning lightshow illuminates the Summer Palace during a new year countdown event in Beijing
Fireworks explode in front of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre over the Victoria Harbour as celebrating the 2013 New Year in Hong Kong
Hong Kong went off with a bang to celebrate New Year with this spectacular fireworks display
Exciting: Fireworks explode near Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers during New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur
A man watches fireworks explode during New Year celebrations in Petaling Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Jakarta's street party centres on a 7-kilometer (4-mile) thoroughfare closed to all traffic from nightfall until after midnight.
Workers erected 16 large stages along the normally car-clogged, eight-lane highway through the heart of the city. Indonesia's booming economy is a rare bright spot amid global gloom and is bringing prosperity - or the hope of it - to Indonesians.
In the Philippines, where many are recovering from devastation from a recent typhoon, health officials have hit upon a successful way to stop revelers from setting off huge illegal firecrackers that maim and injure hundreds of Filipinos each year.
Packed: Thousands of people flocked to the main business district to celebrate the New Year in Jakarta, Indonesia
Spectacular: Fireworks light up the sky over the Marina Bay in Singapore
Celebration: Fireworks light up the sky to welcome the New Year at the scenic Manila Bay in Manila, Philippines
Historic: People cheer loudly as they welcome the 2013 New Year at the first ever public New Year Countdown celebration at Myoma grounds in Yangon, Mayanmar - also known as Burma
Fun: People gather to release 1,000 balloons to celebrate the New Year's during an annual countdown ceremony in Tokyo
Original: The year 2013 is written with sparklers in front of the New Palace in Stuttgart, Germany
A health official, Eric Tayag, donned the splashy outfit of South Korean star PSY and danced to his Youtube hit 'Gangnam Style' video while preaching against the use of illegal firecrackers on TV, in schools and in public arenas.
'The campaign has become viral,' Tayag said.
Economic problems weighed down the festive atmosphere in Europe. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel's New Year message warned her country to prepare for difficult economic times ahead.
Pupils stand to form the shape of '2013' as they wait for the arrival of the new year at Jiujiang Elementary School in Jiangxi Province, China
Balinese dancers perform as they take part in a cultural parade during a New Year's Eve celebration
The traditional dance was held at a main road in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
Colourful: Balinese dancers perform their traditional dance to welcome in 2013
The Cypriot capital, Nicosia, decided to cancel its New Year celebrations in light of the economic crisis. Nicosia said 16,000 euros ($21,000) saved from the canceled event will be given to some 320 needy schoolchildren.
In Athens, fireworks over the ancient Acropolis will usher in 2013 - projected to be a sixth straight year of recession amid the country's worst economic crisis since World War II.
Still, In his televised New Year's Eve message, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras promised Greeks that the worst of the crisis is past, and declared 2013 a 'year of hope' that will see the beginning of the country's rebirth.
Father Frost (right) and his granddaughter (centre) take part in a New Year parade in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Father Frost is the Slavic culture equivalent of Santa Claus
Father Frost, pictured here in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, is the Slavic culture equivalent of Santa Claus
Celebrating New Year's Eve with a vespers service in in St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Benedict XVI said that despite all the death and injustice in the world, goodness prevails.
In his homily, Benedict said taking time to meditate in prolonged reflection and prayer can help 'find healing from the inevitable wounds of daily life.'
Scotland's Edinburgh, which traditionally hosts one of the biggest New Year's Eve parties in Europe, remains in good spirits. Organisers say that some 75,000 people are expected for the Scottish capital's Hogmanay - or year-end - celebrations.
In the Philippines more than 400 people were hurt by powerful firecrackers and gunfire in New Year's Eve celebrations in the, down 17 percent from a year earlier but still high enough to make it one of Asia's most violent parties to welcome 2013.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona said Tuesday that the 413 wounded and hurt included a child who was hit in the head by a stray bullet fired by an unidentified person at the height of New Year's revelry in suburban Caloocan city in metropolitan Manila. The 7-year-old girl is fighting for her life.
'The bullet's still embedded in her head,' Ona told a news conference. 'It looks like she may not be saved.'
Police said another child was accidentally hit by a shell fired by a homemade shotgun and died during celebrations in Mandaluyong city, also in the Manila region, but health officials said they have not received the details of the incident and could not immediately include the death in their casualty list.
Ona said the 17-percent drop in gunshot wounds and firecracker injuries 'is still not enough.'
As an example, he said one man had his hand blown off in an accident while lighting a huge, prohibited firecracker called "Goodbye Philippines," while at least eight people were hit by celebratory gunfire.
Many Filipinos, largely influenced by Chinese tradition, believe that noisy New Year's celebrations drive away evil and misfortune. But they have carried that superstition to extremes, exploding huge firecrackers and firing guns to welcome the new year despite threats of arrest.
Tourists pose as they carry umbrellas with numbers to welcome the New Year 2013 on the terrace of a hotel in the backdrop of Taj Mahal in Agra, India
Last sun of 2012: An Indian vendor sells balloons as the sun sets in Siliguri on December 31
An Indian vendor inflates balloons as the sunsets in Siliguri, West Bengal, India
Hong Kong feng shui master Raymond Lo predicted 2013 would be less turbulent than 2012 because the Chinese New Year in February will usher in the year of the snake, bringing an end to the year of the dragon, which was associated with water.
Water is one of the five elements in feng shui theory, the Chinese practice of arranging objects and choosing dates to improve luck.
'Water is fear. So that's why we have had so much turbulence especially in the winter months,' such as doomsday prophecies, school shootings and concerns about the fiscal cliff, said Lo.
'But the good news is that the coming year of the snake is the first time that fire has come back since 2007. Fire actually is the opposite to water, fire is happiness. So therefore the year of the snake is a much more optimistic year. So you can see signs of economic recovery now,' he added.
More than 22,000 revelers in the Madrid square celebrated the arrival of the new year under umbrellas as rain fell steadily.
Up to a million people are expected to gather in New York's Times Square for the traditional New Year’s Eve celebration that ends with the descent of a huge crystal ball at the stroke of midnight.
Another billion people were expected to watch on television, city officials said.
People filled pens in the center of Times Square hours before the end of 2012. Police set up barricades to keep away the overflow crowd.
Once people entered the police pens, they were not allowed to leave, no alcohol was permitted and there were no restrooms.
The spectacle erupted at 6 p.m. when the ball rose to the top to the top of its 70-foot poll and fireworks went off.
A few minutes earlier, the cheering crowd turned silent when the ceremony released balloons for each of the victims of the December 14 elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
Mark Barrigan, a medical software product manager, traveled from Dallas to witness the ball drop live for the first time this year, fulfilling a longtime wish.
'It was one of those bucket list items,' Barrigan said, referring to a list of wishes before one dies.
Asked what he was hoping for in the new year, Barrigan replied: 'Hopefully they’ll make some good decisions in Washington, D.C.'
The temperature in Times Square was predicted to hover just above freezing around midnight, with a possibility of rain or snow flurries, forecasters said.
The revelers came to see performers such as Taylor Swift, Psy, Carly Rae Jepsen and Neon Trees.
The illuminated, crystal-covered ball - some 12 feet in diameter and weighing nearly 12,000 pounds - was due to begin its descent at 11:59 a.m. EST and drop the 70 feet in 60 seconds.
One of those crystals was engraved with the name of Dick Clark, the American entertainer who hosted a popular television presentation of the Times Square New Year’s celebrations for decades.
He died in April of a heart attack. Clark had suffered a stroke in 2004 that sidelined from the New Year’s Eve show for the first time since he launched the annual broadcast in 1972.
But he gamely returned to the program the following year, and had continued to announce the annual countdown to midnight.
As part of the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration, more than one ton of confetti was to be released from the rooftops of surrounding buildings in Times Square.
Happy: Benjamin Nadorf, 4, plays with his new glasses while waiting for the New Year in Times Square in New York
Eager: Thousands have already arrived in Times Square, New York. An estimated 1 million people are expected to cram into the area to see the crystal ball drop
Indian artist Harwinder Singh Gill displays a sculpture in Amritsar on December 31
Indian revellers hold placards in Amritsar saying 'happy New Year'
A Filipino boy looks as his mother tests a paper horn in downtown Manila, Philippines
VIDEO Auckland starts the New Year with a bang at the Sky Tower
VIDEO Hong Kong welcomes 2013 with an eight-minute fireworks show
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