How many time zones are there in the world?
There are a total of 24 time zones in the world, each representing a one-hour difference in standard time from its adjacent time zones. This number aligns with the division of the Earth into 24 longitudinal segments. The Prime Meridian, located at 0 degrees longitude and passing through Greenwich, London, serves as the fundamental reference point for determining time zones.
As one travels eastward from the Prime Meridian, the time advances by one hour for each time zone crossed. For example, when moving from London to Moscow, which lies in the UTC+3 time zone, there is a three-hour difference. Conversely, as one moves westward from the Prime Meridian, the time is set back by one hour for each time zone traversed. For instance, a flight from New York, which falls under the UTC-5 time zone, to Los Angeles, in the UTC-8 time zone, would involve a three-hour time difference.
While the standard convention is to have one-hour intervals between time zones, some regions may deviate from this pattern to better suit their specific geographical or cultural needs. For instance, India operates on Indian Standard Time (IST), which is UTC+5:30, deviating from the one-hour intervals by introducing a 30-minute offset. Similarly, Nepal follows Nepal Standard Time (NST), which is UTC+5:45, incorporating a 45-minute deviation. These variations aim to align the local time more accurately with their respective geographical locations.