Which country has the most time zones and what it means for travellers

If you ask people which country has the most time zones, chances are most will say Russia. Because Russia is one big country which stretches across a vast expanse of land from Eastern Europe to the Pacific Ocean. Some might also say the United States because of Alaska and Hawaii and other island territories. However, both answers are completely wrong! This country spans an incredible 12 time zones! So, what’s the right answer? Before we solve the mystery, let’s find out what time zone actually means?
Definition of Time Zone

As per Wikipedia, a time zone is an official geographic region that observes a uniform standard time for legal, commercial, and social purposes. Time zones are calculated as offsets from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is measured at the Prime Meridian in Greenwich, England.


The correct answer is…

The country with the most time zones in the world is actually France. Yes, the European nation known for Paris, the Eiffel Tower, the bakery products, croissants and the French Riviera…and more. France spans an incredible 12 time zones, and for part of the year, even 13 with some calculations.

Why France

Well it does sound impossible but Metropolitan France, the mainland European portion of the country, occupies only a single primary time zone, Central European Time (CET). The secret lies thousands of kilometres beyond mainland Europe.


France has a collection of overseas territories and regions which are dotted across the globe. These territories are located in the Caribbean, South America, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and some even Antarctica. Each one has its own local time, and that’s why France has the maximum time zones on Earth.

Notable French territories

Some of the most prominent territories include:

New Caledonia in the South Pacific
French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean
Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean
Wallis and Futuna
Mayotte near East Africa
French Guiana in South America
Saint Pierre and Miquelon near Canada


What does this mean for travellers

For travellers, France offers a unique opportunity to experience far-fatched destinations spread across the globe while technically being inside the same country.


For example, you can start your journey enjoying croissants under the Eiffel Tower in Paris, then straight fly to the lagoons of French Polynesia, go on exploring the volcanic beauty of Réunion Island, all without leaving France.

Other countries with maximum time zone


After France, it’s Russia and the United States both spanning 11 time zones.


So the next time someone asks you this question, you won’t get confused.