The European country that covers a whopping 13 time zones for little-known reason

France has 13 different time zones (Image: Getty)

With its 13 local time zones, including their territorial claim in Antarctica, France currently holds the world record for the country with the most time zones.

The main part of the country, which lies in central Europe, spans only one time zone, with its capital city Paris being a popular destination for tourists worldwide.

As of 2024, the population of mainland France asits at 66 million. Yet the other 12 overseas territories only have a combined total of 2.6 million inhabitants.

Four of the distinct overseas territories are in the Caribbean Sea, four are in the Pacific Ocean, three are in the Indian Ocean and one is in North America.

Five of France’s overseas territories are considered departments of France, meaning they are treated the same as if they were territories of mainland France itself.

France has over 12 overseas territories, spread across the world from the Atlantic to Antarctica. (Image: TUBS)

1. Society Islands and Tuamotus Austral Islands - UTC-10:00

2. Marquesas Islands - UTC-09:30

3. Gambier Islands - UTC-09:00

4. Clipperton Island - UTC-08:00

5. Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin UTC-04:00 (AST)

6. French Guiana (PMST) & Saint Pierre and Miquelon - UTC-03:00

7. Metropolitan France Time Zone - UTC+01:00 (CET)

8. Mayotte & Scattered Islands - UTC+03:00

9. Réunion, Crozet Islands - UTC+04:00

10. Kerguelen Islands, Saint Paul and Amsterdam Islands - UTC+05:00

11. Adélie Land - UTC+05:10

12. New Caledonia - UTC+11:00

13. Wallis and Futuna - UTC+12:00

Marquesas Islands, one of France's overseas departments (Image: Getty)

France’s territorial claims in Antarctica is, although widely recognised, not accepted by everyone. However, the European Union says The French Southern and Antarctic Territories (TAAF) are a French overseas territory - located in the Indian Ocean. The TAAF has no permanent population but is home to scientific and technical staff.

Russia and the USA take second place with both countries holding 11 time zones. In Russia, they span from UTC+2 in Kaliningrad to UTC+12 in Kamchatka.

In the USA they span from UTC-12 in Baker Island to UTC +12 in Wake Island. Despite France holding the world record for the number of time zones, Russia holds the world record for 10 out of 11 time zones covering a contiguous landmass.

Other countries with more than 2 time zones include the United Kingdom and Australia (9 each), Canada (6), Denmark (5), Brazil and Mexico (4) and New Zealand, Indonesia and Kiribati (3 each).