From smiles to sandcastles: the world welcomes Obama's election victory - in pictures

Kogelom, Kenya: Sarah Obama, step-grandmother of Barack, celebrates with members of her family Photograph: Tony Karumba/AFP/Getty Images

Kabul, Afghanistan: An Afghan journalist wipes a 'tear' from a cardboard cutout of the Republican candidate, Mitt Romney Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Jakarta, Indonesia: Pupils at Menteng 01 primary school, which Barack Obama attended as a child, hold a picture of him as they watch the election Photograph: Brotogeni/EPA

New Delhi, India: Students celebrate the result Photograph: Kevin Frayer/AP

Tokyo, Japan: People read newspapers reporting Obama's re-election Photograph: Yuriko Nakao/Reuters

Hong Kong: Students watch the broadcast at the US consulate Photograph: Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

Seoul, South Korea: People tidy away lifesize cutouts of Obama and Romney after the results Photograph: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Puri, India: Artist Sudharshan Pattanik adds the finishing touches to a sand sculpture of Obama Photograph: EPA

New Delhi, India: A young girl dances in an election hat outside the US embassy Photograph: Kevin Frayer/AP

Paris, France: A man watches the broadcast on a television at Harry's New York Bar Photograph: Olivier Voisin/Corbis

Bangkok, Thailand: American expats Colin Cheney and Mary Conger celebrate Photograph: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Jakarta, Indonesia: People pose next to a lifesize cutout of Obama, though not Romney Photograph: Romeo Gacad/AFP/Getty Images

Tokyo, Japan: The US ambassador to Japan, John Roos, poses with high-school students … and another cardboard cutout of Obama Photograph: Itsuo Inouye/AP

Athens, Greece: Democrats celebrate in a hotel Photograph: Christos Stamos/Corbis

Madrid, Spain: People read the election results in a newspaper at a protest camp outside a Bankia bank Photograph: Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP

Moscow, Russia: A woman poses for a photo with cardboard figures of Obama and Romney Photograph: Sharifulin Valery/Corbis

Kogelo, Kenya: Supporters dance after watching the news coverage Photograph: Dai Kurokawa/EPA

Chicago, US: Obama applauds supporters after his victory speech Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images