Which possible countries do we share the same time zone with? Which world leader abolished time? Read on to find out.
1. Greenland is in the same time zone as Britain
Although it is located in the middle of the North Atlantic, between Iceland and Canada, a narrow section of eastern Greenland (Danmarkshavn’s weather station and part of the surrounding Northeast Greenland National Park (the largest in the world)) operates GMT (also GMT also known as) uses. UTC or Coordinated Universal Time). It’s not a typical holiday destination. Only eight people live in Danmarkshavn, where temperatures can drop to -40C in winter, and the only people with regular access to the national park (excluding cruise ships) are the whalers and seal hunters in the town of Ittoqqortoormiit. Leave it to the polar bears.
2. So is Sao Tome and Principe
Want to have a holiday without turning the clocks? A much better option might be Sao Tome and Principe, a little-known island paradise 220 kilometers off the coast of West Africa. The country receives only 15,000 tourists a year; so if you join them you can be assured of bragging rights; but there is a lot to recommend this place.
“Rising directly above the equator, its palm-fringed mother-of-pearl beaches and emerald-green jungle slopes are as Arcadian and exotic as body-clock-pounding islands in the South Pacific,” says travel writer Sarah Marshall. “A short 35-minute flight connects the sister islands, with accommodations ranging from rustic cabins to luxury oceanfront lodges.”
3. Largest country in a time period
Greenland, the world’s largest island (Australia is classified as a continent), uses four time zones to govern its 836,109 square miles. But China keeps things simple. It may have an area of 3,705,407 square miles, but if you ask each of its 1.4 billion residents the time, you’ll get the same answer (GMT+8).
The same applies to India, which all implements GMT +5.30.
4. Most time zones in one country
France gets this title due to a technical feature. That’s right, all of Metropolitan France sticks to GMT +1. But when you add all those overseas departments, the time zone count increases to a remarkable 12. The sun never sets in France.
Russia and the USA are in second place. The world’s largest country by area, it covers 11 consecutive time zones from Kaliningrad Oblast (GMT+2) to Kamchatka (but has only used nine since 2011 – see below), vital in a successful Risk game (GMT+12) a component. . The United States also uses 11 (five on the North American mainland, the rest on island territories).
5. The fastest way to lose three and a half hours
A giant drinking session? This wouldn’t be very smart. So, how about quickly crossing the border from Afghanistan to China? The two countries share a 77-kilometer border but are three and a half hours apart. Unfortunately this is impossible. The State Department recommends against any travel to Afghanistan, and the border at the end of the Wakhan Corridor has been closed for years.
The next best option? Pakistan and China share a border that can be crossed through the Khunjerab Pass and have a three-hour time difference between them. Before considering a trip, check out the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ advice.
6. Or get a full day
The International Date Line roughly follows the 180° line of longitude that bisects the Pacific. Want to celebrate two birthdays in a row? Celebrate in Samoa (GMT +13). The next morning, board the 30-mile flight to neighboring American Samoa (GMT -11) and land again on your birthday 25 minutes later, after crossing the International Date Line. If you want to skip Christmas, go the other way.
7. To save or not to save
British Summer Time (BST) has been in place in the United Kingdom since 1916. Much of Europe and North America have their own version of Daylight Saving Time (DST), but the majority of the world does not. Because, of course, as we get closer to the Equator, the need for this disappears. This is perfectly illustrated by the fact that the southern half of Australia uses DST, but the northern half doesn’t care (Brazil once had a similar policy, but Jair Bolsonaro rescinded it in 2019).
8. When Putin removes time
When Vladimir Putin wants something, he usually gets it, and that includes eliminating time. It abolished DST across the entire country in 2011, effectively eliminating two time zones, and moved Crimea’s clocks forward two hours to bring them into sync with Moscow after annexing the region in 2015.
9. Hawaii and Alaska share the same time zone
You won’t find two more contrasting destinations, one famous for its surfing and beaches, the other famous for its icy wilderness. But they have a few things in common. Volcanoes. And a time zone (but only for half of the year when Alaska observes DST).
10. Other curious couples
There are many contrasting countries that share the same time zone. Kazakhstan and Maldives (GMT+5). Belarus and Madagascar (GMT+3). What about Kamchatka and Tuvalu (GMT+12)?
11. Halves and quarters
Some nations exist just to confuse you. Most countries use time zones that differ by several full hours from GMT, while others use differences of up to 30 minutes. Such as India, parts of Australia, Sri Lanka, Newfoundland, Iran, Myanmar and North Korea. More interestingly, Nepal and New Zealand’s Chatham Islands use GMT+5:45 and GMT+12:45 respectively.
12. Those who cannot decide
Märket, an 8.2-acre island in the Baltic, is split between Sweden and Finland and thus uses two time zones. But no one lives there, who cares? More notable is Tuba City on the homeland of the Navajo Nation in Arizona. Navajo observe DST, but Arizona does not. Conclusion? Half the year, half the town is an hour ahead of the rest.
13. The time at the South Pole
Since longitudes meet at the poles, neither the North nor the South has an official time zone. But these scientists need to set their clocks for something. Research stations in the Arctic follow time in their home countries, but the US-run Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station uses New Zealand time. From where? Because all flights to Antarctica’s McMurdo Station depart from Christchurch, meaning all official travel to and from the South Pole passes through New Zealand.
14. Time in space
The International Space Station is tracking GMT. Britain’s victory. Because when you’re orbiting the earth, it makes sense.