If you have already traveled, you probably know that the time
is different according the country you are in. You can even save time by
travelling!
For example: if your flight leaves Paris at 10am, he will be
in New York at 11am, local time. However, your flight would have lasted in
reality 7 hours and have crossed 6 different time zones.
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| Different time according their own time zone |
Until 1891, each town determined its own time according sun’s
position. But when industrialization appeared, this method became obsolete. Early
in the 20th century, coordinated universal time was created. From the point of reference of Greenwich, a London’s suburb, 24 different time
zones which equally split Earth were created.
Let's check them here:
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| A world time zone map |
Source: timeanddate.com
Each state has to choose its own according sun’s position
and other criteria mentioned below!
Historical reasons
During World War II, Germany imposed its time to France,
then to show his support to Nazi, General Franco changed Spain’s time zone. To
be coordinated with its ally, United Kingdom also changed its time zone. After
the war, London get back its original time zone, but both France and Spain kept
the German’s time zone. That is why there is still a time lag of 1 hour between
those countries.
Economic reasons
The International Date Line crosses Pacific Ocean and
creates some weird situations. For example, the Saoma islands which were
aligned with United States’ time zone in 1894, changed to the one of Australia
and China because they had not enough days in common with those both last
countries to do business with them.
Political reasons
5 time zones cross China, but the government chose the one
of Beijing as reference. It is communists’ wishes which are in power since 1946.
Environmental reasons
Time change has been created to saves energy. But for some
countries, it is still confused. In Australia, lands are free to decide doing
time change or not.
Thus, there is not only 24 time zones through the world in reality but
37, and even 43 when we take into account time change. But when time zones didn’t
exist, there were around 300 different time zones, just through the North of America!
Finally, we are making progress :)
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