Why Do We Use ‘Time Zones’ Around the World?

Time zones help people all over the world know what time it is in their part of the planet. Imagine if everyone used the same clock, when it's noon for you, it might be midnight somewhere else! Time zones divide the world into parts that follow the sun’s movement. This way, people can have matching times for their daily activities, like going to bed or waking up.

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Examples

A child in New York wakes up at 7 AM, while a friend in Tokyo is already at school, because they are in different time zones.
You call your cousin who lives in Paris and say, 'Good morning!' but she replies, 'It's nighttime here!', because of the time zones.
When it's sunset in Sydney, it might still be midday in London, that’s why we use time zones.

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Categories: History · time zones,history of timekeeping,global synchronization