Notes
aligned with と一致する;
the Gregorian calendar 新暦、グレゴリオ暦；
tapestry つづれ織り;

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January 1st is commonly known as New Year’s Day around the world, aligned with the Gregorian calendar. However, some cultures celebrate the new year on different dates. A notable example is China, where the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, begins. Unlike the fixed January 1st date, the Chinese New Year falls on the first day of the lunar calendar, typically in late January or early February. For example, in 2024, it starts on Feburay 10. Celebrations include family gatherings, special meals, dragon dances, and the giving of red envelopes for luck. Understanding these diverse traditions allows us to explore various cultural practices and recognize the rich tapestry of global customs, enhancing our appreciation of the world’s diversity.
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Notes
Luxembourg ルクセンブルク;
the United Arab Emirates アラブ首長国連邦;
forefront 最前部、真っ先;
San Marino サンマリノ 《イタリア東部の世界最小の共和国;
Macao マカオ（葡: Macau）あるいは澳門、中華人民共和国の特別行政区の一つ;
gauge 測定する;

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According to Global Finance, the top five richest countries are Ireland, Luxembourg, Singapore, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, with Ireland at the forefront. In contrast, Japan ranks 38th, the United States 9th, and China 77th. Notably, the world’s wealthiest nations are often among the smallest. Despite facing economic challenges such as the pandemic, they have managed to maintain their wealth. This group includes countries like San Marino, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Singapore, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, deriving their wealth from finance, taxation, and natural resources. Macao, for instance, owes its riches to its thriving casino industry. Wealth in these countries/rigions is more accurately gauged by purchasing power parity, which takes into account the cost of living locally. Consequently, the richest countries boast significantly higher purchasing power than the poorest. Nevertheless, this wealth is not evenly distributed within these nations. It’s important to note that some of these countries are known as tax havens, which may distort the true picture of their economic status.
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