International date line

 

What is International dateline?

International Date Line (IDL) is not an ordinary line it helps countries to define dates among them. It was established in 1884.

Why we need it?

As we all know that sun does not rise at the same time in all countries of the world. Different countries have different timings of sunrise and sunset therefore International Date Line was established to measure time difference among the countries.

Where does it start from and how it calculates time?

The line starts from Greenwich (a place in England) which has 0 langtititude.

There are two scenario of time measurement given below

1)      Any country which is in the East of Greenwich would observe 1 hour less after every 15 degree.

2)      Any country which is in the West of Greenwich would observe 1 hour addition after every 15 degree.

Still confused! Let’s understand it with an example.

Example:

If the time on Greenwich is 12:00 AM

East country time would be 11:00 PM

West Country time would be 01:00 AM

And after every 15 degree difference in timing keeps increasing from both sides unless it changes into one day difference.

Let’s see a chart.

Where East and West lines get together?

It is also interesting to know that FIJI Island is the only populated country where these both lines (Eastern and western) get together and make 24 hour difference.

Except Fiji Island this lines usually passes from the areas without population.

Every year many people come to Fiji Island to see international date line which absolutely unique in itself.

What is unique in it?

As we discussed above that in Fiji Island the time difference of both the lines becomes 24 hours. Therefore it effects on the day and dates of FIJI.

Let me clear the situation,

If you are standing on International Date Line, the left side of your body would be in previous day and the right side of your body would be in present day.

Still confused???

Suppose if today is Sunday and you are on the international dateline so left side of your body would be in Saturday and right side of your body would be in Sunday.

Hmmm… interesting!!!

Let’s see the picture to make this difficult topic more clearer.

This is the IDL for you hope you like it. For more informative blogs please be connected with knowledgeplus100.blogspot.com