Why Time Zones Exist
Time zones were created to standardize the measurement of time across regions. Before their introduction, each city used its own local solar time, which became impractical once railways and long-distance communication were invented.
The Structure of Time Zones
- Earth is divided into 24 primary time zones
- Each zone generally represents a one-hour offset
- Some regions use half-hour or quarter-hour offsets
- All time zones are measured relative to UTC
Daylight Adjustments
Seasonal changes such as Daylight Saving Time can temporarily shift a region’s offset, making accurate scheduling more challenging without proper tools.