Consider the following statements regarding the International Date Line:

1. It is roughly 180^∘ meridian, which deviates slightly East and West to avoid land areas surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.

2. The date to the East of this line is ( 24 hours) earlier than to the West.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct answer is  2 only.

Key PointsInternational Date Line

• The International Date Line (IDL) is an imaginary line on the surface of the Earth that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole and demarcates the change of one calendar day to the next.
• It is roughly based on the 180° meridian, but it deviates in several places to avoid splitting countries into different time zones.
• For example, the IDL zigzags to avoid the Chukchi Peninsula of Russia and the Aleutian Islands of Alaska.
• The statement that the IDL deviates to avoid land areas is accurate. However, it is not surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean but rather the Pacific Ocean. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• The date to the east of the IDL is one day earlier than the date to the west. This means that if it is Monday just west of the IDL, it is Sunday just east of the IDL.
• Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Additional Information

• Time Zones:
  • The world is divided into 24 time zones, each one covering 15 degrees of longitude.
  • Time zones are based on the mean solar time at a particular longitude, with the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) being the reference point.
  • Countries and regions may adjust their time zones to better align with their geographical and socio-economic needs.
• History of the International Date Line:
  • The concept of the International Date Line was first suggested by Sir Sandford Fleming in the late 19th century.
  • The IDL was formally established at the International Meridian Conference in 1884.
  • It is not fixed by any international treaty or law, and countries are free to adjust their time zones and the IDL as they see fit.
• Impact on Travel:
  • Crossing the International Date Line can be confusing for travelers, as they may "lose" or "gain" a day depending on the direction of travel.
  • Airlines and shipping companies must carefully coordinate schedules to account for the date change.
• Examples of Deviation:
  • The IDL deviates around the Kiribati Islands, which moved the line eastward to ensure the entire country is on the same day.
  • Similarly, Tonga and Samoa have adjusted their positions relative to the IDL to better align with their main trading partners.