At first glance, it seems obvious that Russia or the United States would dominate the time zone count, given their sheer size. But the rankings tell a more layered story, one shaped not just by continental spread, but by colonial history and the geographic sprawl of overseas territories. A country like France, which doesn’t even crack the top ten in landmass, ends up topping this list thanks to its reach across oceans and hemispheres. These time zone differences reflect not just geography, but the administrative reach of nations past and present.

How we compiled the list of countries with the most time zones

Here’s how the data was complied: This list uses data from Timeanddate, a trusted source for global timekeeping. It counts all official standard time zones used by a country, including those applied in overseas or outlying territories. Temporary changes such as daylight saving time are excluded, as are Antarctic claims. The tally reflects permanent UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) offsets currently in use by each country.

10 countries with the most time zones

France: 12 time zones
Despite its relatively modest size in Europe, France has territories scattered across the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and even South America. From the islands of French Polynesia (UTC−10) to Wallis and Futuna (UTC+12), France officially administers 12 different standard time zones, which is more than any other country in the world.

United States: 11 time zones

The US spans a large swathe of the planet, from Pacific islands like Wake and Guam to outlying islands in the Caribbean. Its domestic zones stretch from Eastern to Alaska Time, while remote possessions like Baker and Howland Islands operate on UTC−12. Together, they add up to 11.

Russia: 11 time zones

The largest country in the world by landmass, Russia stretches from the borders of Eastern Europe to the Bering Strait. It covers 11 time zones from UTC+2 in Kaliningrad to UTC+12 in Kamchatka, all across its contiguous mainland.

Australia: 9 time zones

Australia’s domestic timekeeping is already complex, but add external territories like Christmas Island, the Cocos Islands, and Lord Howe Island, and the total climbs to nine. Some regions even use unique half-hour or 45-minute offsets.

United Kingdom: 9 time zones

From the Pitcairn Islands in the Pacific (UTC−8) to the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean (UTC+6), the UK’s overseas territories are scattered widely. While mainland Britain uses UTC+0, these far-flung holdings bring its total to nine time zones.

Canada: 6 time zones

Canada’s vast geography spans six standard time zones, from Newfoundland Time (UTC−3:30) to Pacific Time (UTC−8). Each province and territory aligns with its own zone, with no overseas additions required to make the list.

Denmark: 5 time zones

Though geographically compact, Denmark’s jurisdiction includes the Faroe Islands and multiple time zones across Greenland. These Arctic and North Atlantic territories bump its total to five.

New Zealand: 5 time zones

Mainland New Zealand runs on UTC+12, but its reach extends to the Chatham Islands (UTC+12:45), as well as associated self-governing states like Niue and the Cook Islands. These collectively make for five time zones under New Zealand’s administration.

Brazil: 4 time zones

Brazil covers four time zones, from UTC−5 in the far-western Amazon regions to UTC−2 on its Atlantic islands. While all zones are confined to South America, the country’s continental breadth ensures a wide spread.

Mexico: 4 time zones

Mexico’s four official time zones span from UTC−8 in Baja California to UTC−5 in southeastern Quintana Roo. Though its range is narrower than others in this list, it still reflects the country’s east–west expanse.

In the present time, everything is within easy reach–one tap or click and you’re there! But there are still some places on Earth, where you can’t reach so easily. These aren’t your typical holiday destinations that are just a click away. We are talking about some remote destinations with no direct flights, no hotels or no transportation as such. These make for perfect offbeat destinations deprived of common crowds or even mobile networks, sometimes. And that’s exactly what makes them special.

However, there are ways you can still explore these places. On this note, let’s have a look at remote destinations that are still open to visitors!

1. Pitcairn Island, South Pacific

Pitcairn is one of the remotest islands in the world inhabited by a small community, most of them descended from the famous HMS Bounty mutineers. There’s no airport, and the only way to get here is by boat–usually a long journey from French Polynesia. It’s not easy to reach, but if you are determined, you’ll be welcomed into a quiet, tight-knit community surrounded by untouched nature.

2. Socotra, Yemen

Socotra Island looks like another world altogether. From the unusual dragon blood trees to rare birds and plants, much of what you see here can’t be found anywhere else. Reaching the place is also tricky. Flights are limited, and permissions are tight. But for those who love nature and don’t mind taking the longer route, this island is a hidden treasure.

3. Kerguelen Islands, Indian Ocean

The Kerguelen Islands are a remote French territory in the southern Indian Ocean. The main base, Port-aux-Français, is used for scientific research and support operations. There’s no airport, and the only way to reach the islands is by the French ship Marion Dufresne, which travels from Réunion Island about four times a year. Each trip takes around 10 days. It’s a cold, windy, and isolated place– and that’s exactly what makes it so unique.

4. Oymyakon, Russia

Oymyakon is a tiny village in Siberia and one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth. Temperatures can drop below –50°C, with a record of –67.7°C. Life is tough, but the locals have adapted over time. Getting there means hours– sometimes days– on frozen roads like the “Road of Bones.” It’s remote and harsh, but a fascinating glimpse into life in extreme cold.

5. Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland

On the edge of Greenland, this tiny settlement is surrounded by ice and mountains. It’s one of the most isolated towns in the Arctic. There are no roads connecting it to other towns. Visitors usually arrive by helicopter or boat, depending on the season. Those who come here find pure silence, stunning landscapes, and strong Inuit traditions.

6. McMurdo Station, Antarctica

This research base in Antarctica isn’t a tourist spot, but a few people get the chance to visit as part of special scientific or support expeditions. Located on Ross Island, McMurdo is the largest station on the continent. The journey involves long flights or sea routes, mostly from New Zealand. It’s cold, isolated, and far from everything– but for those interested in polar science, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Plan your July 2025 vacation now. The article lists ten top islands globally. Tahiti and Moorea in French Polynesia offer cultural activities and coastal beauty. Sardinia in Italy hosts local festivals. Menorca in Spain provides a laid-back Mediterranean experience. The Cayman Islands boast turquoise waters. Fiji has a dry season in July. Praslin in Seychelles offers clear skies. Read more below!

It’s time to hit the beach! The hot summer breeze is suffocating you in your homes and you can’t spend the entire season within the walls of your abode. Thus, with the Fourth of July weekend coming soon or even later in July, you can plan an island vacation with your friends, family or bae to locations that will offer a dreamy tropical cool with turquoise beaches and fizzy drinks that will make you forget all about the heat. These are the top 10 islands in the world you must visit in July 2025.

1. Moorea, French Polynesia

In Moorea, a coastal heaven awaits your arrival. From stays at overwater bungalows to whale watching, from an ATV ride through the island to hiking to the top of the hills, you can do it all in this paradise.

2. Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and planning a trip here in July will give you access to the island’s local festivals as well. Visit the famous Neptune’s Caves, walk through the medieval streets of Bosa, and plan a visit to Porto Flavia, a cliff-face port.

3. Menorca, Spain

An island in the Mediterranean Sea, Menorca is a more laid-back alternative to Mallorca. Go swimming at the beaches, visit Monte Toro- the highest point of the island, and indulge in the local dish Ensaimada and of course paella.

4. Tahiti, French Polynesia

One of the most culturally rich islands in French Polynesia is Tahiti.
One can engage in a variety of cultural activities, dive deep in the turquoise blue waters and have a taste of the scrumptious coastal cuisine during July.

5. Cayman Islands

Dip in some turquoise water at the famous Seven Mile beach is a must when visiting the Cayman Islands. For those who have never seen stingrays up close, going to Stingray City will be memorable as there you will find dozens of stingrays swimming in shallow water. Other spots include the Cayman Turtle Centre and Cayman Crystal Caves.

6. Fiji

Fiji has a dry season in July and it’s thus the perfect time to visit. Meet with the locals and get to know the culture, go diving and snorkelling, hike through the rain forests, and enjoy some water sports such as surfing, kayaking and more.

7. Gili Islands, Indonesia

Gili Islands is a group of three islands in Indonesia. Go diving at the beach, sun bathe on the sands, enjoy the popular night life, and taste some Indonesian cuisine.

8. Praslin, Seychelles

In July, the temperatures in Praslin, an island in Seychelles where the temperatures near 27 degrees Celsius with clear skies. Relax on the beaches with your favourite book, look for some coco de mer- a speciality of the island and head to the Curieuse island to meet the giant tortoises.

9. Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Bonaire in July is every diver’s heaven. Located in the Netherlands, the island has the Bonaire National Marine Park with over 85 diving sites where you can spot the unique marine life of the islands. Those fans of windsurfing can hit Sorobon Beach. Don’t miss out on the salt flats and animal life of the islands.

10. Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia

An archipelago of more than 170 islands, the Farasan Islands are known as the ‘Maldives of Saudi Arabia’ and offer a great reprieve with white sand beaches, crystal-clear water, seagull sightings, fishing and snorkelling.

From epic Wild West vistas to alligator-filled wetlands, America’s National Parks are home to some of the most beautiful wilderness on the planet. Kevin E G Perry rounds up those that should go straight to the top of your must-visit list.

The National Park System is one of the crowning glories of the United States. Signed into creation by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, there are now a total of 63 national parks spread across the country.

From sprawling landscapes straight out of classic Westerns to towering mountain ranges and lush wetlands, they offer a diverse range of opportunities to explore the country’s unspoilt wilderness.

Last year America’s National Parks welcomed a grand total of 312 million visitors, up 5 per cent from 2021, although still some way short of the record 331 million visitors who flocked to the parks pre-pandemic in 2017.

If you’re planning a visit this year, here are some of the best places to enjoy America’s Great Outdoors.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho

America’s original National Park, first established in 1872, Yellowstone’s place in the national imagination has recently been reaffirmed by the wildly popular television series of the same name. The park’s 2.2 million acres sprawl across state lines and are home to some 10,000 hydrothermal features such as steaming hot springs, mud pots and geysers. The best known is the spectacular Old Faithful Geyser, which shoots water up to 180ft in the air. You can also expect to see herds of bison and elk making their way across glacier-carved vistas.

When to go

Although Yellowstone is open year-round, it’s busiest during the summer months from late May to early September. Visiting either side of that peak period (early May or late September/October) may help increase your chances of seeing wildlife roaming around. Either way, it’s wise to book in-park accommodation well in advance.

Yosemite National Park, California

The Yosemite Valley has been a protected area of natural beauty since well before the creation of the National Park system. It was in 1864 that President Abraham Lincoln signed an act of Congress ensuring the area would be held for public use “inalienable for all time.” Almost 160 years later, we’re still reaping the rewards of that far-sighted decision. Rock climbers come to test their mettle against giant granite monoliths like El Capitan, which looms some 3,593ft above the Yosemite Valley floor. Just as breath-taking are the magnificent giant sequoia groves. These trees, which stand up to 286ft tall, are so colossal that in 1895, as a marketing gimmick, they carved a hole in one of them so big you can still drive a coach through it.

When to go

Waterfalls like the spectacular 620ft Bridalveil Fall only flow during the summer months from May to July. It’s always worth checking the weather forecast, especially if you plan on visiting outside that peak season. Yosemite is currently closed due to record snowfall, with plans to reopen from 17 March.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

In a country full of unforgettable landscapes, the Grand Canyon deserves its reputation as the most spectacular of them all. A mile deep and 18 miles across at its widest point, this great chasm of red rock took six million years to carve out. To best understand the scale of the canyon it’s worth hiking down into it: the popular Bright Angel Trail descends over 4,000ft from the South Rim to the Colorado River. Those who prefer to view the canyon from above can choose between the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass-floored platform at the West Rim which juts out over the abyss, or a birds eye’s view by helicopter.

When to go

Peak season runs from April to June, which unsurprisingly is when the weather’s best. July and August tend to be hotter and wetter. During winter months, access to the North Rim is closed, but the South Rim remains open year-round.

Everglades National Park, Florida

The only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles live side-by-side, the Everglades are a one-of-a-kind ecosystem with plenty to reward adventurous visitors. An hour’s drive from Miami to Florida’s southern tip, it’s 1.5 million acres of wetlands, swamps and mangroves form North America’s biggest sub-tropical wilderness reserve. Away from the toothy reptiles, birdwatchers will be more interested in the herons, egrets and storks wading in the water. You’ll need to be out there too – either by kayak, canoe or airboat tour.

When to go

The Everglades are busiest during Florida’s ‘snowbird season’ from October to March, when tourists flood in from colder parts of the country. You can beat the crowds by visiting during the summer from June to August, although that will mean some early mornings to stay out of the muggy midday heat.

Arches National Park, Utah

Utah is home to no less than five National Parks, known together as the Mighty Five. While Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion are all well worth planning a visit to, it’s only the aptly named Arches National Park in the east of the state that can lay claim to the highest density of natural sandstone arches on the planet: more than 2,000 in total. You’ve seen them in Westworld, Thelma and Louise and countless Westerns, but there’s no substitute for exploring the desert on family-friendly hikes such as Park Avenue – named for its proximity to nature’s own skyscrapers.

When to go

Avoid the height of the summer heat by visiting either in the spring months, from March to May, or in autumn from September to October.

Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

If you want a taste of the United States’ remaining wilderness at its most remote and uninhabited, head to Denali. Spread across six million acres, this Alaskan wonderland is crossed by just a single road. The park takes its name from its highest peak, which at 18,000ft is the tallest mountain in the world from base-to-summit on land. In the summer, grizzly bears, wolves, moose and caribou stalk through valleys of wild flowers. When the snow comes, so do skiers, mountaineers and those hoping to catch sight of the aurora borealis.

When to go

Peak season runs from the end of May to the middle of September. During the winter months, from the end of September to April, visitor centres are closed but the park stays open for activities like skiing, dog sledding and snow-shoeing.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

A three-hour drive east from Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park exerts an irresistible pull on hikers, climbers and artists drawn by its dreamlike vistas and rock formations. The park may be best enjoyed at night, when the lack of light pollution allows the milky way free reign to dance across seemingly unending skies. Beneath this heavenly spectacle, the hardy trees that give the park its name reach up as if in prayer, or supplication.

When to go

The park is at its most popular from March to May and from October to November as visitors aim to avoid the swelt.