HÌNH ẢNH ĐÓN NĂM 2012 KHẮP THẾ GIỚI

As Britain counts down to midnight, here's
how others countries saw in 2012

Celebrations ... cascades of colour soar into the sky in a sensational fireworks display in Sydney

By LAURA CAROE

AS Britain counts down to the end of 2011, sensational fireworks displays have already welcome the New Year in some parts of the world. Dazzling pyrotechnics lit up the skies over AUCKLAND, New Zealand, and SYDNEY as well as TOKYO.

Millions partied as they were first to say hello to 2012.

The mood was jubilant, despite revellers remembering a year was marked by upheaval in several Arab countries, economic turmoil and a string of devastating natural disasters.

Boom ... fireworks display over Sydney, Australia

Scroll down to watch a video of the fireworks in Sydney

LONDON: Fireworks light up the sky and Big Ben just after midnight

LONDON: The dazzling display lasted for around 15 minutes in the capital

LONDON: The fireworks heralded the start of an exciting year for the capital, which will host the Olympic games

Mr Johnson had promised a 'glittering' show to highlight the exciting events that 2012 promised.The Mayor of London's office said the display was the result of 12 months of planning. A crew of 306 has been working on the site since Boxing Day, with 1,803 staff - including stewards - on duty on the night itself.There were 30 tonnes of equipment on the three fireworks barges on the river ready for the display, which was triggered by GPS to the chimes of Big Ben.

LONDON: Welcome to 2012! The show had an Olympian theme

LONDON: The display was the result of 12 months of planning with a crew of 306 working on the site since Boxing Day

LONDON: Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'Our New Year fireworks were a brilliant start to a spectacular year.'

There was a distinctly Olympian theme to the display on the River Thames with fireworks launched over the London Eye in the shape and colours of the Olympic rings. The accompanying soundtrack saw Chariots of Fire kick off a medley of London-themed songs. Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'Our New Year fireworks were a brilliant start to a spectacular year.
'This is just the beginning - as the eyes of the world turn to London for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, there will be amazing events across the capital up to, during and beyond a summer like no other.'

LONDON: Fireworks explode over the Houses of Parliament

LONDON: The new year will host the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games

LONDON: Thousands lined up against the banks so they could watch the show

LONDON: Crowds gathered on Westminster Bridge in central London as they wait for New Years Eve fireworks to be set off

Revellers had travelled to London from around the world to welcome in 2012 and were thrilled by the dazzling display. Horst Ritter, 41, an IT worker from Frankfurt, Germany, said: 'It was really fantastic, it was better than expectations. Absolutely a great start to 2012. 'The weather was fine and everything was perfect. Thank you to London for the great fireworks.' Amy Malan, 32, a housewife from California, said: 'It was one of the best displays we have ever seen. It was more than we expected, so amazing.

'It was such a brilliant start to 2012, they were just never-ending, so great.' London-themed songs accompanied the fireworks, which were expected to be watched on television by millions of people around the world.

SCOTLAND: Fireworks over Edinburgh Castle during celebrations to mark the new year at the Hogmanay street party

Sean Ingles, 23, had travelled from New Orleans in Louisiana to bring in the New Year in Edinburgh. He said: 'I came with my dad who is originally from here, he moved to the States about 25 years ago and he brought us home for the good times.
'We came here just for Hogmanay, it's been great. I've met all kinds of great people in the crowd, it's just been fantastic. 'The atmosphere is brill

iant, I feel right at home. New Orleans is such a friendly city and Scotland is very much the same. It was definitely worth the trip.' Newlyweds Rob and Claire Atkins, from Nottingham, said the party had been the perfect end to the perfect year.
Mrs Atkins, 31, said: 'We got married earlier this year so 2011 has been brilliant, we like to think we're carrying on the celebrations tonight.' Some 3,000 police officers are on duty overnight to deal with the crowds who have descended on the capital, not only on the banks of the Thames to watch the fireworks but also in Trafalgar Square.
Some were stationed on podiums to give them a bird's-eye view of any troublemakers in the crowds.

VIENNA: The number 2012 is written with sparklers during a long exposure in front of St Stephen's Cathedral during New Year's Eve celebrations

BEIJING: The Circular Mound is illuminated with a variety of colourful lights as China celebrates 2012 at the Temple of Heaven Park

MOSCOW: Thousands of people watched the fireworks explode during the new year's day celebration on Red Square

More than a million people gathered at mass at vantage points along the harbour to watch the pyrotechnics display in Sydney.
This year's theme was 'Time to Dream' and it is hoped it will help inspire those who have had a particularly bad 2011 to look forward to the year ahead.
Some of the fireworks exploded into shapes of clouds - because every one has a silver lining - and a series of colourful lights were beamed into the centre of the bridge forming an 'endless rainbow'.

SINGAPORE: Spectacular scenes could be seen from across the city as fireworks exploded over Marina Bay during the New Year celebrations

Sydney's display was designed around the theme "Time to Dream", a nod to the eagerness many felt at moving forward after the rough year Australia has had.

Shapes based on butterflies, hearts and a cascading waterfall lit up the sky over Sydney's Harbour Bridge.
More than 1.5million crowded on to yachts and along the shores of the city's harbour to watch the shimmering display.

In Japan, many were reflecting on the giant tsunami and earthquake that left an entire coastline destroyed, nearly 20,000 people dead or missing and the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in meltdown.
People visited shrines and temples, offering their prayers for the new year. Giant hanging temple bells were to ring 108 times to purify the world of evil and bring good luck.
More than 400,000 people were expected to watch a four-minute display set to light up Victoria Harbour in HONG KONG.

Celebrations ... revellers cheer as confetti falls in Hong Kong

Spectacular ... fireworks over Sydney's opera house

And fireworks also illuminated the sky over KUALA LUMPUR as Malaysia welcomed 2012.
In TAIPEI a huge countdown ended in a display of fireworks coming off a 101 skyscraper. Hundreds of thousands of people defied cold winds to usher in the New Year.

Flaming tower ... quirky display on skycraper in Taipei

Meanwhile, the mood was more subdued in New Zealand after torrential rain and thunderstorms cancelled firework displays in the capital Wellington, the North Island city of Palmerston North and at the popular Mount Maunganui beach area.
But crowds gathered around Auckland's Sky Tower, which did hold a fireworks display. The new year is hoped to be a fresh start for the country where tragedy struck last year.

Two major earthquakes hit Christchurch, killing 181 in February, with another measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale shook the city just before Christmas.
Samoa and Tokelau were first to toast in 2012 after skipping a day by jumping west across the international dateline.

Stunning display ... fireworks explode above Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur

Sparkle ... fireworks illuminate the sky over Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Crowds flocked to pools and beaches to toast the New Year earlier than usual after the South Pacific Island nations fast-forwarded to December 31, missing out on December 30 entirely.
More than a million people are expected to pack Times Square in NEW YORK, to watch as the New Year's Eve Ball — measuring 12ft and weighing 11,875lbs partly thanks to 2,688 Waterford crystal triangles adorning it — is dropped at midnight.

Air we go ... balloons rise into the sky as Japan celebrates the New Year

Bad conditions ... New Zealand was hit with heavy rains causing officials to cancel planned celebrations

Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Drake will perform – as the ball will descend in a shower of confetti and revellers will grab a partner to dance or kiss.
Revellers are also set to enjoy a stunning spectacular on the beaches of RIO DE JANEIRO, while 80,000 fun-lovers are expected to attend the world-famous Hogmanay street party in EDINBURGH.
Primal Scream are headling this year's sold-out concert at the castle.

NATO: Troops from the US led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and service members dance during their celebrations

MALAYSIA: Fireworks display near the country's landmark Petronas twin towers during the New Year celebrations as the clock strikes 12

KUALA LUMPUR: Three women, who wore illuminated bunny ears to get into the spirit

Thousands of people in Tokyo released balloons carrying hand-written wishes for the New year and in Hong Kong huge crowds turned out to witness the countdown which was illuminated by numbers on the side of a skyscraper.
Taiwan celebrated by lighting up the world's second-tallest building, Taipei 101 with a display of fireworks.
The New Year's Eve party on the island of Samoa started a whole day earlier than normal after the South Pacific nation moved 24 hours into the future, making it the first to see in the new year.
People began celebrating as soon as the clocked ticked over from Thursday, December 29, skipping Friday and moving straight onto Saturday, December 31 at 12.01am.

PHILIPPINES: A huge fireworks and water fountain display marks the New Year at Manila's Rizal Park

GERMANY: Fireworks explode before New Year celebrations over the 'Golden Victoria' on top of Berlin's landmark victory column

Samao and neighbouring Tokelau lie near the date line in the Pacific Ocean and both islands decided to realign themselves from the Americas side to the Asia side in order to be more in line with major trading partners. It is hoped the move will help improve the economy. Pools and beaches have been packed with Samoans and tourists who are keen to be the first to celebrate rather than the last.

TAIWAN: Colourful fireworks explode from the country's tallest skyscraper Taipei 101 and light up the night sky as the country celebrates the start of 2012

SYDNEY: Thousands of people gathered to watch the impressive display as Australia welcomed in the New Year

AUSTRALIA: A red hue lights up the sky over the Sydney Opera House. More than a million people gathered to watch and then celebrate 2012

Elsewhere across globe millions of people are preparing to say goodbye to a year that saw mass uprisings in several Arab countries, the deaths of Osama Bin Laden, Muammar Gaddafi and Kim Jong-Il.
It was also a year of economic turmoil which saw an endless string of natural disasters that devastated several countries across the world.

Samoans celebrated New Year's Eve first this year, left, rather than last, after they skipped Friday altogether and a woman, right, celebrates in Sydney

Indian students in Ahmadabad show off placards as they prepare to welcome in the New Year

Times to celebrate ... thousands are expected to gather in Times Square, New York, to watch as the ball drops at midnight

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080622/New-Years-Eve-celebrations-Here-comes-2012-Big-Ben-lights-sky-firework-display-ring-Olympic-new-year.html#ixzz1iAZglFaK