World Time Zones
The concept of standardized time emerged in the mid-19th century to improve efficiency in factories and coordinate increasingly interconnected transportation systems. Initially, local times based on the sun varied widely, but as international trade grew, global powers established the Greenwich Meridian as the standard in 1884, leading to the current system of 24 time zones, which often deviate from ideal spatial divisions for practical and political reasons.
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Student submission by Grace Sokolow:
Category: Public signs/monuments related to Time Zones
Description: Much of downtown Christchurch, New Zealand was destroyed by devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. During the rebuilding process, the city has placed special emphasis on the downtown area, investing infrastructure designed to be easily accessible, pedestrian friendly, and a hub for day-time businesses as well as a vibrant night-life. The tourist trolly tracks and wide, attractive sidewalks shown here provide easy access to businesses on Cashel Street, one of the main thoroughfares in downtown Christchurch. While this area of the city is bustling during the day and night, it tends to be quiet around sunset, when the work day has ended and the night has not yet begun.