Global Time Zones Explained: How the World Keeps Time
How Many Time Zones Are There in the World? A Simple Guide Discover how the world is divided into 24 time zones, why they exist, and how they keep our clocks in sync. Learn fun facts about UTC, GMT, and quirky time zone exceptions! How the World’s 24 Time Zones Work (And Why We Need Them) Imagine slicing Earth like an orange into 24 equal wedges—each slice represents a time zone. Here’s why this system exists and how it works: Why 24 Time Zones? Earth takes 24 hours to spin 360 degrees. Dividing it into 24 zones (15 degrees each) means each zone is 1 hour apart. Before 1884, cities used local “sun time,” causing chaos for trains and communication. The 1884 International Meridian Conference standardized time zones globally. The 24 Time Zones GMT/UTC±0 (Greenwich Mean Time): The starting point at London’s Royal Observatory. UTC+1 to UTC+12: East of London, including Paris (UTC+1), Tokyo (UTC+9), and New Zealand (UTC+12). UTC-1 to UTC-12: West of London, covering New Y...