Time zone

Time zone is a region of the globe that observes a uniform standard time for legal, commercial, and social purposes. Time zones tend to follow the boundaries of countries and their subdivisions instead of strictly following longitude, because it is convenient for areas in close commercial or other communication to keep the same time.

Definition

The term time zone is primarily used to describe an area of the Earth that has the same time. Each time zone is defined by the number of hours that it is offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the world's time standard. The concept was adopted during the 19th century to aid weather forecasting and train travel.

History

The concept of time zones was first proposed by Sir Sandford Fleming in the late 19th century, with the creation of the worldwide time standard known as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This was a result of the expansion of transport and communication during the 19th century which required a more organized time-keeping system.

Usage

Time zones are used to standardize time across countries and regions. They are crucial for maintaining the synchronization of time especially in communication, transportation, and many other fields.

Daylight Saving Time

Many countries use Daylight Saving Time (DST), where the clock is adjusted forward by one hour at the beginning of the spring and adjusted back in autumn. The practice aims to extend evening daylight and reduce the need for artificial lighting.

Time Zone Conversion

Time zone conversion is a process used to determine the time in a different zone. This is especially important for planning international meetings or travel.

See Also

• International Date Line
• Greenwich Mean Time
• Standard Time
• World Time