TIME ZONE
Is a measurement of the Earth’s rotation. Each of the Earth’s 24 time zones represents an
average of 15 degree of longitude or one hour of time. The number in each time zone on this
map represents the number of hours by which zone’s standard time differs from Greenwhich
Mean Time, plus or minus.
Why do we have different time zones?
Our Earth rotate on its own axis. Due to this rotation, different parts of the earth received
different amount of sunlight thus, causing day and night. Local time around the world is
determined in relation to the prime meridian, which goes through Greenwhich, England.
The International Date Line is on the other side of the world at 180 degrees. When you travel
west over this line, the new day begins. Example: When you travel from California to
Australia over Pacific Ocean, you lose a day. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) – a
standard used to set all time zones around the world. North America and South America lie in
the western hemisphere (West of the prime meridian and east of the International Date Line).
Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia lie in the eastern hemisphere (East of the prime meridian
and west of the International Date Line).
You can figure out the local time of a location by adding 1 hour for every time zone east of
the prime meridian. You subtract 1 hour for every time zone west of the prime meridian.
Example: What is the time difference between two location Berlin (+2) and Sydney (+10)?
Solution: Larger number minus smaller number =10-2= 8 hour time difference.
