The What, Why and How of Different Time Zones

Perex: Interested to know the ins and outs of time zones and why there exist multiple time zones? Join us, as we explore the phenomenon!

The world is full of fascinating phenomena. One of the most unique aspects of modern societies is the presence of different time zones. We all share the same earth, yet time is not uniform everywhere because of the man-made concept of time zones. If you are wondering why do we have different time zones, this blog is the place to be.

What are Time Zones?

Simply put, the time zone refers to the local time of a region or country. The concept of time zones first emerged in the 1800s and was created by railroad officials who were faced with major confusion. It was impossible to know what time it was because the United States had no standard time and each town or city would keep its own solar time.  Finally, in 1883, after much debate, discussion and resistance, time zones were standardized in the General Railroad Time Convention of Chicago. The concept of time zones then became international and was adopted by countries like France. Currently, there are 24 time zones in the world.

Why Do We Have Different Times?

Let us now try to answer a question that pops into everyone’s mind at one time or the other - the presence of different time zones. We have different time zones because the Earth is categorized into 24 equal time zones, with each time zone being approximately 15 degrees wide. These time zones are based on the Earth’s rotation at its axis, with the Prime Meridian or the O degrees longitude serving as the reference point for Coordinated Universal Time. 

The presence of use of different time zones enables people in different parts of the world to effectively keep track of the time relative to their location. Time zones are leveraged by people all over the globe to coordinate activities and add structure and cohesion to everyday routines. However, you might be surprised to know that even now, there are some parts of the world without time zones.

How Many Time Zones Does the USA Have?

The United States of America popularized the concept of time zones. Owing to its massive geographic size, the USA has four time zones that correspond to specific regions of the country. The presence of multiple time zones facilitates communication and coordination across the country. The time zones of the United States include -

• Eastern Time
• Central Time
• Mountain Time
• Pacific Time

Conclusion

So, there we have it, a crisp overview of time zones and why we have different time zones.

Summary

The question - why do we have different time zones - often frequents people’s minds. There are different time zones because the Earth is divided into 24 time zones of 15 degrees width.