Which country spans the most time zones?

The answer depends on whether overseas territories are included. France, thanks to its many islands and territories scattered across the globe, from French Polynesia in the Pacific to islands near Antarctica, spans 12 time zones, more than any other country. The United States, with its states and territories including Guam and American Samoa, spans around 11. However, when considering a single continuous stretch of land, Russia is the champion: its vast territory extends across 11 time zones from Kaliningrad in the west to Kamchatka in the far east. Crossing so many zones creates logistical challenges: when it is morning in one part of Russia, it is already evening in another. China, though geographically wide enough for five zones, uses just a single official time nationwide.